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theme 16 : the ballad of the streets ep (from themes volume four)

tracks
1. Belfast Child(6:40)
2. Mandela Day(5:41)
3. Biko(7:32)




catalogue
Virgin THEME 16
THEME-16 13 A1



format
Picture CD included in Themes Volume Four box set.


release date
October 1990


additional information
After a long wait of almost four years, Simple Minds returned in 1989 with the new studio album Street Fighting Years. They weren’t quiet in the interim however; the Once Upon A Time tour, live album and occasional live appearances kept the band in the headlines and were the first major band to sign up to the Mandela Day 70th Birthday Tribute Concert. They were also the only band to write a song especially for the event: Mandela Day.

Although pressured to release Mandela Day as a single in its own right, the Minds refused, preferring to wait until the new album was ready. The first single, The Ballad Of The Streets EP, featured Mandela Day and Biko (a track covered by the Minds at the Mandela gig) and the new Belfast Child. Such a poignant selection of tracks had no option but to give the band their first #1 single in the UK charts.

The Ballad Of The Streets EP turned out to be a sampler of the Street Fighting Years album, with all three songs appearing on the album. All the singles from Street Fighting Years were also issued as CD singles (albeit it the fiddly 3" versions) so 'CD Firsts' for the Themes were now becoming a rarity.








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theme 16 : ballad of the streets ep cd

tracks
1. Belfast Child(6:40)
2. Mandela Day(5:41)
3. Biko(7:32)




catalogue
Virgin THEME 16
Nimbus THEME 16.



format
Titled CD in slimline jewelcase with picture sleeve.


release date
August 1991


additional information
The picture sleeve features a listing of all the individual Theme CDs on its reverse side.








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theme 16 : ballad of the streets ep mc

tracks
1-1. Belfast Child(6:40)
1-2. Mandela Day(5:41)
1-3. Biko(7:32)




catalogue
Virgin THEMC 16


format
Cassette in picture card slip-sleeve. Both sides play the same.


release date
August 1991


additional information
Unlike its associated CD, the cassette version is now extremely rare.                                                                                








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theme 16 : ballad of the streets ep (from themes volume four reissue)

tracks
1. Belfast Child(6:40)
2. Mandela Day(5:41)
3. Biko(7:32)




catalogue
Virgin 5099921647826
optimal media production A833748-01



format
Picture CD included in Themes Volume Four Reissue box set.


release date
June 2008


additional information
The picture on the reissue CD is glossier and sharper than its 90s original, but sports extra copyright information and text.








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