Don't Drop Bombs

Summary

"Don't Drop Bombs" is a song by American actress and singer Liza Minnelli, released in September 1989 by Epic/ZEE 2 as the second single from her ninth album, Results (1989), produced by Pet Shop Boys and Julian Mendelsohn. It was popular on the club circuit, but failed to make the Top 40 in the UK, peaking at No. 46. The single would only find its way onto the US club scene as an import and via the DJ subscription remix services Razormaid! and This Is Only a Test.

"Don't Drop Bombs"
Single by Liza Minnelli
from the album Results
Released25 September 1989[1]
Recorded1988/89
GenreSynthpop
Length3:34 (7")
LabelEpicZEE 2
Songwriter(s)Tennant/Lowe
Producer(s)Pet Shop Boys, Julian Mendelsohn
Liza Minnelli singles chronology
"Losing My Mind"
(1989)
"Don't Drop Bombs"
(1989)
"So Sorry, I Said"
(1989)
Music video
"Don't Drop Bombs" on YouTube

Critical reception edit

Larry Flick from Billboard felt that the song "deftly straddles the line dividing high camp and pure drama".[2] Dave Obee from Calgary Herald named it one of the "good moments" of the Results album.[3] Edwin J. Bernard from Number One described it as "aggressive Bobby O-type dance".[4] Siân Pattenden from Smash Hits declared it as "a disco stomper", adding, "Liza strides through this epic with so much gusto it leave you exhausted. All right, it does sound a tad like "Left to My Devices" but who cares? It's ruddy marvellous!"[5]

Music video edit

The accompanying music video for "Don't Drop Bombs", directed by Brian Grant was filmed at Shepperton Studios. It references other music videos and styles of the 1980s including Bananarama's "Venus", a touch of Michael Jackson towards the end, and even a reference to the Broadway Melody ballet from Singin' in the Rain with Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse.[citation needed] Parts of the video were shot in black and white.

Track listings edit

  • 7" Epic / ZEE 2 (UK)
  1. "Don't Drop Bombs" (7") – 3:34
  2. "Don't Drop Bombs" (instrumental) – 3:39
  • 12" Epic / ZEE T2 (UK)
  1. "Don't Drop Bombs" (Extended Remix) – 5:53
  2. "Don't Drop Bombs" (dub mix) – 5:44
  3. "Don't Drop Bombs" (a cappella) – 3:40
  • 12" Epic / ZEE QT2 (UK)
  1. "Don't Drop Bombs" (Extended Remix) – 5:53
  2. "Don't Drop Bombs" (new 7" mix) – 3:39
  3. "Don't Drop Bombs" (percapella) – 3:40
  4. "Don't Drop Bombs" (a cappella) – 3:40
  • CD Epic / ZEE C2 (UK)
  1. "Don't Drop Bombs" (7") – 3:34
  2. "Don't Drop Bombs" (Extended Remix) – 5:53
  3. "Don't Drop Bombs" (a cappella) – 3:40

Charts edit

Chart (1989) Peak
position
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[6] 10
UK Singles (OCC)[7] 46

References edit

  1. ^ "This Week - Releases". Record Mirror. 23 September 1989. p. 39.
  2. ^ Flick, Larry (10 August 1996). "Dance Trax: Gangsta-Bop Hits The Spot; Divas Dance The Night Away" (PDF). Billboard. p. 27. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  3. ^ Obee, Dave (28 December 1989). "Recent Releases". Calgary Herald.
  4. ^ Bernard, Edwin J. (11 October 1989). "Albums". Number One. p. 43. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  5. ^ Pattenden, Siân (4 October 1989). "Singles". Smash Hits. p. 73. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  6. ^ Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Liza Minnelli". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF) (in Finnish). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 172. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
  7. ^ "LIZA MINELLI | full Official Chart History". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 16 May 2022.