''Freeways'' is the second
EP released by Canadian
synthpop
Synth-pop (short for synthesizer pop; also called techno-pop; ) is a subgenre of new wave music that first became prominent in the late 1970s and features the synthesizer as the dominant musical instrument. It was prefigured in the 1960s a ...
group
Men Without Hats. It was released in Canada only, and for a limited time. Released in 1985, it contains songs originally released on the group's 1980 EP ''
Folk of the 80's
''Folk of the 80's'' is an EP released by Canadian synth-pop group Men Without Hats. Recorded in the summer of 1980 at Studio A in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and released later that year, it was their first release.
The song "Antarctica" is featu ...
'', plus several versions of the song "Freeways".
History
The first release of any version of the song was as music video filmed for the French version of the song in 1981, premiering that year on the Musi-Video show in Montreal. "Freeways (Euromix)" first appeared as a B-side track on a European 12" edition of the "
I Got the Message
''Rhythm of Youth'' is the debut studio album by Canadian new wave and synth-pop band Men Without Hats, released in April 1982 by Statik Records in Europe and Canada and in 1983 by Backstreet Records in the US. It propelled them to fame with its ...
" single in 1982.
To date, it is the only version of the song to appear on CD, being released on the ''
Greatest Hats
''Greatest Hats'' is the first compilation album by the Canadian new wave/synthpop group Men Without Hats, released in 1996.
A slightly modified version of the album was released in the US in 1996, entitled ''Collection''. It dropped the track ...
'' compilation in 1996, however fans created a bootleg CD version of the EP including all four mixes. The version of "Freeways (Euromix)" used on ''Greatest Hats'' was ripped from vinyl and donated by a fan.
When the song was initially written in 1979, it was called "Nationale 7" and used wholly English lyrics. The title "Freeways" began being used in reference to the song in 1982, with its release on the "I Got the Message" single, but songwriter Ivan Doroschuk would still refer to it as "Nationale 7" until 1985, when the 12" was released. Ivan would also refer to the song as "Men Without Hats' secret single" (a reference to its use as a B-side), as heard on a recording of a concert in Toronto in December 1982.
The French and German lyrics used in the Euromix are translations of the original lyrics - the English lyrics used in the Euromix were completely rewritten. The original lyrics from 1979 are used in "Super 87".
Footage of the band's 1985–1986 "Freeways" tour was the basis for the 2006 DVD release ''
Live Hats''.
Track listings
12" version
#"Modern(e) Dancing" - 4:12
#"Utter Space" - 2:43
#"Antarctica" - 4:28
#"Security (Everybody Feels Better With)" - 3:56
# "Freeways (Euromix)" - 5:45 (trilingual extended mix)
7" version
# "Freeways (Nationale 7)" - 3:37 (French version)
# "Freeways (Super 87)" - 3:37 (English version)
Cassette version
#"Modern(e) Dancing" - 4:12
#"Utter Space" - 2:43
#"Antarctica" - 4:28
#"Security (Everybody Feels Better With)" - 3:56
# "Freeways (Euromix)" - 5:45
# "Freeways (Super 87)" - 3:37
# "Freeways (Nationale 7)" - 3:37
# "Freeways (Europa 8)" - 3:37 (German version)
Personnel
* Ivan Doroschuk - vocals, electronics
* Roman Martyn - guitar on "Folk of the 80's"
* Tracy Howe - guitar on "Freeways"
* Stefan Doroschuk - bass
* Jeremie Arrobas - vocals, electronics
* Lisanne Thibodeau - vocals, electronics
* Recorded by Andre Perrault
* "Freeways" mixed by Louis Gauthier
References
{{Authority control
1985 EPs
Men Without Hats albums
1985 remix albums
Remix EPs