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Hell on Wheels (song)
Encyclopedia
"Hell on Wheels" is a disco song performed by American singer-actress Cher
from her sixteenth studio album, Prisoner. It was written by Bob Esty and Michele Aller and produced by Esty. It was released as the album's first and only international single in late 1979. The song was also added to the "Roller Boogie
" soundtrack in 1979. Lyrically, the track is about "follow what you like".
"Hell on Wheels" initially received mixed reviews from critics, but in 1999 Randy Cordova from The Arizona Republic
praised the song, calling it a "roller-disco anthem". Cher starred in one of the very first music videos, a short film that Casablanca Records wanted to promote her single with. After releasing the promotional film, Cher began making music video
s.
In 1979, "Hell on Wheels" was included in original motion picture soundtrack to the film, "Roller Boogie" as the track number one. After the released of the soundtrack album, "Hell on Wheels" was released in Japan with a different artwork, featuring a photo of Cher bottom center, taken from the After Dark
magazine, and with a still of Linda Blair
and Jim Bray
. The song was released with "Git Down (Guitar Groupie)" on its B-side. Strangely "Git Down (Guitar Groupie)" in the Japanese single was a "Theme from Roller Boogie", despite the song never appeared in the movie or in the soundtrack album.
Despite a worldwide commercial release, "Hell on Wheels" did not manage to achieve any success other than charting only on the Billboard Hot 100
, and peaking at a disappointing number fifty-nine. "Hell On Wheels" was also her last hit for Casablanca Records.
newspaper describes the song as the best cut of the album and noted "'Hell on Wheels', latches onto the roller-skating craze as tenaciously-and stylishly-as the Beach Boys latched onto surfing. Joel Flegler of the Fanfare Magazine
, while was reviewing the Roller Boogie soundtrack gave a negative review for all the songs, using the word 'worse' in reference to the length of the album. Another critic said that every song of the album have the same rock influence, and about the song said that is "her trendy roller-disco effort".
"Hell on Wheels" was Cher's first professional video. Some consider "Take Me Home" to be her first professional clip, though this was lifted from her highly rated 1979 TV special Cher...and Other Fantasies. "Hell on Wheels" is one of the 1970s pioneer music videos to be produced in the MTV
style before MTV itself existed, and now its considered to be one of the first modern music videos.
The video was premiered on the late night NBC
television show "The Midnight Special
". Promotional clips were also shown during a 1979 interview with Phil Donahue
on "The Phil Donahue Show
". Despite that "Hell on Wheels" was her first official music video released it was never released on her best video collection.
Cher
Cher is an American recording artist, television personality, actress, director, record producer and philanthropist. Referred to as the Goddess of Pop, she has won an Academy Award, a Grammy Award, an Emmy Award, three Golden Globes and a Cannes Film Festival Award among others for her work in...
from her sixteenth studio album, Prisoner. It was written by Bob Esty and Michele Aller and produced by Esty. It was released as the album's first and only international single in late 1979. The song was also added to the "Roller Boogie
Roller Boogie
Roller Boogie is a United Artists film starring Linda Blair and introducing Jim Bray The film also stars Beverly Garland, Mark Goddard, and Kimberly Beck, and is directed by Mark L...
" soundtrack in 1979. Lyrically, the track is about "follow what you like".
"Hell on Wheels" initially received mixed reviews from critics, but in 1999 Randy Cordova from The Arizona Republic
The Arizona Republic
The Arizona Republic is a daily newspaper published in Phoenix. Circulated throughout Arizona, it is the state's largest newspaper. Since 2000, it has been owned by the Gannett newspaper chain. It was ranked tenth in US daily newspapers by circulation in 2007.-Early years:The newspaper was founded...
praised the song, calling it a "roller-disco anthem". Cher starred in one of the very first music videos, a short film that Casablanca Records wanted to promote her single with. After releasing the promotional film, Cher began making music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
s.
Background
According to J. Randy Taraborrelli 's biography, "Hell on Wheels" was recorded because Cher admitted to being a roller-skating fanatic. The single was released with "Git Down (Guitar Groupie)", a song from the album Take Me Home on its B-side. Both songs were released as a 12" extended version and both version are not yet released on CD.In 1979, "Hell on Wheels" was included in original motion picture soundtrack to the film, "Roller Boogie" as the track number one. After the released of the soundtrack album, "Hell on Wheels" was released in Japan with a different artwork, featuring a photo of Cher bottom center, taken from the After Dark
After Dark (magazine)
After Dark was an entertainment magazine that covered theatre, cinema, stage plays, ballet, performance art, and various artists, including singers, actors and actresses, and dancers, among others. First published in May 1968, the magazine succeeded Ballroom Dance Magazine...
magazine, and with a still of Linda Blair
Linda Blair
Linda Denise Blair is an American actress. Blair is best known for her role as the possessed child, Regan, in the 1973 film The Exorcist, for which she was nominated for an Academy Award and two Golden Globes, winning one. She reprised her role in 1977's Exorcist II: The Heretic.-Biography:Blair...
and Jim Bray
Jim Bray
Jim Bray was a competitive artistic roller skater. He won several national titles in Singles and Pairs. At the age of 18 he gave up his amateur status to star in the roller disco movie Roller Boogie starring Linda Blair. This would be his only film appearance...
. The song was released with "Git Down (Guitar Groupie)" on its B-side. Strangely "Git Down (Guitar Groupie)" in the Japanese single was a "Theme from Roller Boogie", despite the song never appeared in the movie or in the soundtrack album.
Despite a worldwide commercial release, "Hell on Wheels" did not manage to achieve any success other than charting only on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
, and peaking at a disappointing number fifty-nine. "Hell On Wheels" was also her last hit for Casablanca Records.
Critical reception
"Hell on Wheels" received mixed reviews from critics. The review of the Los Angeles TimesLos Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
newspaper describes the song as the best cut of the album and noted "'Hell on Wheels', latches onto the roller-skating craze as tenaciously-and stylishly-as the Beach Boys latched onto surfing. Joel Flegler of the Fanfare Magazine
Fanfare Magazine
Fanfare is a magazine devoted to reviewing classical music performance and recordings.Fanfare's contributors have a range of expertise from the medieval to contemporary work...
, while was reviewing the Roller Boogie soundtrack gave a negative review for all the songs, using the word 'worse' in reference to the length of the album. Another critic said that every song of the album have the same rock influence, and about the song said that is "her trendy roller-disco effort".
Music video
The video for "Hell on Wheels" was tough for Cher to shoot. She was required to skate down steep, mountainous roads while sporting a broken arm. In the video, Cher is roller skating and being followed by a huge truck driven by two men which use the maximum speed of the truck to catch up with her. Following this, Cher convinces many people with different types of transportation to follow and take a ride with her."Hell on Wheels" was Cher's first professional video. Some consider "Take Me Home" to be her first professional clip, though this was lifted from her highly rated 1979 TV special Cher...and Other Fantasies. "Hell on Wheels" is one of the 1970s pioneer music videos to be produced in the MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
style before MTV itself existed, and now its considered to be one of the first modern music videos.
The video was premiered on the late night NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
television show "The Midnight Special
The Midnight Special (TV series)
The Midnight Special is an American musical variety series that aired on NBC during the 1970s and early 1980s, created and produced by Burt Sugarman. It premiered as a special on August 19, 1972, then began its run as a regular series on February 2, 1973; its last episode was on May 1, 1981...
". Promotional clips were also shown during a 1979 interview with Phil Donahue
Phil Donahue
Phillip John "Phil" Donahue is an American media personality, writer, and film producer best known as the creator and host of The Phil Donahue Show. The television program, also known as Donahue, was the first to use a talk show format. The show had a 26-year run on U.S...
on "The Phil Donahue Show
The Phil Donahue Show
The Phil Donahue Show, also known as Donahue, is an American television talk show that ran for 26 years on national television. Its run was preceded by three years of local broadcast in Dayton, Ohio, and it was broadcast nationwide between 1967 and 1996.In 2002, Donahue was ranked #29 on TV Guide's...
". Despite that "Hell on Wheels" was her first official music video released it was never released on her best video collection.
Track listings
- US 7" DJ Promo (NB 2208 DJ)
- "Hell On Wheels (Stereo)" – 3:21
- "Hell On Wheels (Mono)" – 3:21
- US 12" DJ Promo (NBD 20189 DJ)
- "Hell On Wheels (12" Version)" – 7:13
- "Git Down (Guitar Groupie) (12" Version)" – 7:14
- Japanese 7" single
- "Hell On Wheels (12" Version)" – 7:13
- "Git Down (Guitar Groupie) (12" Version)" – 7:14
- Netherlands 7" single
- "Hell On Wheels (12" Version)" – 7:13
- "Git Down (Guitar Groupie) (12" Version)" – 7:14
Official versions
- Main Version - 5:38
- Promo DJ Edit - 3:21
- 12" Version - 7:13
- Video Edit - 3:15
- Outrageous 1989 bootleg remix - 5:30
Credits and personnel
- Photography – Harry LangdonHarry LangdonHarry Philmore Langdon was an American comedian who appeared in vaudeville, silent films , and talkies. He was briefly partnered with Oliver Hardy.-Life and career:...
- Producer, arranged, conductor - Bob Esty
- Recorded, engineer (re-mix), co-producer - Larry Emerine
Charts
| Chart (1979) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
59 |