Released October 1985 Length 37:52 Artist ABC Label Mercury Records Producers Martin Fry, Mark White | Recorded 1984–1985 How
to Be a ... Zillionaire!
(1985) Alphabet City
(1987) Release date October 1985 Genres New wave, Dance-pop | |
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Similar ABC albums, New wave albums | ||
How to Be a ... Zillionaire! is the third studio album by the English new wave band ABC. It was originally released in October 1985, on the labels Neutron, Mercury and Vertigo. Four singles were released from this album, "(How to Be A) Millionaire" (UK Singles Chart: No. 49; Billboard Hot 100: No. 20), "Be Near Me" (UK: No. 26; US: No. 9), "Vanity Kills" (UK: No. 74; US: No. 91), and the fourth was "Ocean Blue", (UK: No. 54). The album peaked at No. 28 on the UK Albums Chart and at No. 30 on the Billboard 200.
Contents
Original British promo pressing
On the cover the album's title is in the foreground lit up like a spotlight against a tri-tone background on which various quotes of the album's lyrics can be seen. There is also a drop shadow behind the title.
No dialogue at the start of the song "Vanity Kills". Eden (see band line up in next section) does the harmony vocal on the song "Ocean Blue". Guitars completely absent from Side Two/Tracks 6–10. No cursing from Eden in the song "A to Z". Four seconds of silence between "A to Z" and "(How to Be A) Millionaire". Eden performs the breakdown vocal and plays the instrumental solo in the song "(How to Be A) Millionaire".
International commercial release
On the cover the spotlight effect is gone. The tri-tone background is rotated 180°. There is a third layer of elements on the cover consisting of animation artwork, specifically storyboards for the "Be Near Me" and "(How to Be A) Millionaire" music videos.
Dialogue at the start of the song "Vanity Kills". Same mix of "Ocean Blue" as on previous pressing. Guitars prominently present on side two/tracks 6–10. Eden is uncensored in the song "A to Z". "A to Z" immediately segues into "(How to Be A) Millionaire". Session musician David Williams performs the breakdown vocal and plays the instrumental solo in the song "(How to Be A) Millionaire".
Record Club and initial CD version
On the cover the spotlight effect is retained with a solid blue background.
Dialogue at the start of the song "Vanity Kills". Same mix of "Ocean Blue" as on the initial pressing. Eden is uncensored in the song "A to Z". Same segue between "A to Z" and "(How to Be A) Millionaire" as on previous pressing. Session musician David Williams performs the breakdown vocal and plays the instrumental solo in the song "(How to Be A) Millionaire".
2005 version
The cover is a recreation of the cover to the international commercial release.
Dialogue at the start of the song "Vanity Kills". Same mix of "Ocean Blue" as on the initial pressing. Guitars prominently present on side two/tracks 6–10. Eden is uncensored in the song "A to Z". Same segue between "A to Z" and "(How to Be A) Millionaire" as on the previous pressing. Session musician David Williams performs the breakdown vocal and plays the instrumental solo in the song "(How to Be A) Millionaire".
Track listing
All tracks written by Martin Fry and Mark White.
Songs
1(How to Be a) Zillionaire (Wall Street mix)7:33
2(How to Be a) Millionaire3:31
3(How to Be a) Millionaire (Accapella)3:30