electronic :: singles :: get the message

uk 7" (fac287/7), 12" (fac287), cd (facd287) and cassette (fac287c) released by factory on 15 april 1991. uk remix 12" (fac287r) released by factory on 29 april 1991. us 12" maxi-single (9 21832-0), cd maxi-single in digipak (9 21832-2), cassette (9 19465-4) and cassette maxi-single (9 21832-4) released by warner bros on 16 april 1991. french cassette (55024) and german 7" (113 849), 12" (613 849-213) and cd maxi-single (663 849-211) released by virgin. australian 7" (543919465-7), cd maxi-single (759921832-2) and cassette (543919465-4) released by warner bros.

get the message
free will

get the message
free will

get the message 7"
free will 12"
get the message 12"

get the message
vocals and synthesisers by bernard sumner
guitars, keyboards and programming by johnny marr

free will
vocals, synthesisers and programming by bernard sumner
guitars and synthesisers by johnny marr
additional programming by andrew robinson

written and produced by bernard sumner and johnny marr
engineered by owen morris
recorded and mixed at clear recordings
artwork by johnson/panas

promotional poster.

get the message
free will

both tracks play on either side.

get the message dna groove mix
get the message dna sin mix

subtitled dna remixes.

bernard sumner: vocals and synthesiser
johnny marr: guitars, keyboards and programming
thanks to denise johnson—vocals

written and produced by bernard sumner and johnny marr
engineered by owen morris
remixes and additional production by dna for raw bass
packaged at 3a

promotional insert.

get the message extended mix
free will extended mix
get the message dna groove mix
get the message dna sin mix

get the message single mix
get the message extended mix
free will extended mix
get the message dna groove mix
get the message dna sin mix

get the message (7" version)
free will (7" mix)

get the message 12" mix
get the message 7" mix
free will 12" mix

get the message 7"
get the message 12"
free will 7"
free will 12"
get the message dna 12" groove mix
get the message dna 12" sin mix

uk white label 7", either with the single mix or the album edit (fac287/7), remix 7" (fac287r/7) and remix 12" with press sheet (fac287r) released by factory records. us cd maxi-single in jewel case (pro-cd-4678) and cassette maxi-single released by warner bros. german 7" with press sheet, either with the single mix or the album edit (113 849) released by virgin. mexican double-sided 1-track 7", titled capta el mensaje (pro 546) released by warner bros.

fac287r/7 and the us cd maxi-single.

nme, 20 april 1991

uk #8
modern rock tracks #1
hot dance music #15
hot dance club play #8
germany #37

the 7" mix on this quintessential electronic single could almost be an early version rather than an exclusive remix, as it’s very similar to the renditions at dodger stadium in 1990. with an acoustic introduction, an extended instrumental passage, and the final verse (“living on peanuts ain’t my scene”) spliced in after the second chorus, it contrasts greatly with the straight-ahead edit of the album version, which was used for the promotional film, some copies of the uk and german 7" and cd releases, and a mimed performance on top of the pops.

one of these versions was disapproved by bernard sumner after he heard it on a manchester radio station before its release, so another mix was made, causing the single to be delayed by three weeks. it seems that the album edit was his preferred choice as it featured on later pressings of the single and was used for the 2006 best of. either way the lp version remains the definitive recording, wisely included on the various cds and the first uk 12", but augmented by free will and a superior dna remix it’s a fantastic record whatever the format.