Released 13 July 1987 Recorded 1986 Label Polydor | Format 7" single, 12" single Genre Alternative rock | |
B-side "The Whole Price of Blood", "Mechanical Eyes" | ||
"Song from the Edge of the World" is a song written and performed by English rock band Siouxsie and the Banshees. It was released as a stand-alone single in 1987. The song had been premiered live in the UK during an appearance at the WOMAD Festival in July 1986. The song was recorded with new members Martin McCarrick on keyboards and Jon Klein on guitar.
Music and background
The track is an uptempo number with strong percussion performed by drummer Budgie. The song had not appeared on any album and was not included on any greatest hits collections until 2002's The Best of Siouxsie and the Banshees — albeit only on the bonus disc of the limited edition of the album, and in its 12-inch "Columbus Mix" version. The original 7" version finally made its CD debut as a bonus track on the 2014 reissue of Through The Looking Glass.
Siouxsie later explained that she wasn't satisfied with the work of producer Mike Thorne during the recording sessions, which was one of the main reasons the band decided not to include this one-off single on their 1992 Twice Upon a Time: The Singles compilation. A demo version with guitarist John Valentine Carruthers was later included on the remastered CD version of Tinderbox.
"Song from the Edge of the World" peaked at No. 59 in the UK Singles Chart.