45 RPM (song)

"45 RPM"
Single by The Poppy Fields (The Alarm)
from the album In The Poppy Fields
B-side	"Statue of Liberty"
Released	2004
Recorded	2004
Genre	Pop rock
Length	3:10
Label	Snapper Music
Songwriter(s)	Mike Peters & Steve Grantley
Producer(s)	Steve Brown
The Poppy Fields (The Alarm) singles chronology
"'"Raw"'" (1991) "45 RPM" (2004) "New Home New Life" (2004)

"45 RPM" is a song written by Mike Peters and Steve Grantley.

Background and writing[]

This was the first official release by The Alarm since 1991, although it was originally credited as a recording by The Poppy Fields.

The single was released on 7" vinyl and two CD editions.

It was billed as an advance release from the album In The Poppy Fields.

Track listing[]

All songs written by Mike Peters unless otherwise indicated.

45 RPM CD1 release.

UK 7" Single[]

1. "45 RPM (Peters/Grantley)" - 2:47
2. "It's not unusual (Reed/Mills)"

UK CD Maxi-Single 1[]

1. "45 RPM (edit)(Peters/Grantley)" - 2:59
2. "Contientious Objector" - 4:09
3. "68 Guns (Live Session Nov 4, 2003)" - 4:53

UK CD Maxi-Single 2[]

1. "45 RPM (album version)(Peters/Grantley)" - 3:10
2. "Spirit Of '76 (Live Session Nov 4, 2003)" - 7:10
3. "Statue Of Liberty" - 5:52

Credits[]

• Artwork By [Art Direction] - Karl Parsons
• Bass, Backing Vocals [Vocal Backup] - Craig Adams
• Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals [Vocal Backup] - Steve Grantley
• Guitar [6 & 12 String], Backing Vocals [Vocal Backup] - James Stevenson
• Voice, Guitar [Guitars], Harmonica - Mike Peters

Recorded at Foel Studios, Llanfair Caereinion, Wales.^[1]

Promotional release[]

A promotional CD was released with one track only:

45 RPM promotion disc.

1. "45 RPM" - 2:47

Pseudonym[]

The single was released under the pseudonym band name The Poppy Fields.^[2] Radio 1 DJs such as Mark and Lard and Steve Lamacq were taken in by the stunt. Music reviewers were raving about The Poppy Fields based on them being a bunch of punky teenagers. Record company executives desperately wanted to find out more about the unheard band. Music channels played a video of a fictional group.

Leader singer Mike Peters explained:

"We thought we had nothing to lose," said Peters. "If we had put out a single by The Alarm, there would have been a negative feeling, because whether record company executives and music journalists admit it or not image is rated far higher than the music nowadays.

"I hope we've proved a valid point. Why must new music necessarily have to be made by new bands. I'm 44 but I'm writing new songs as fresh and as vibrant as anything I've ever done. In Britain we're too quick to want to find the next big thing. If you're over 35 you're dismissed as over-the-hill.^[2]

References[]

External links[]

• The Alarm official website
• The Poppy Fields official website^{[permanent dead link]}