"Shoot Out the Lights" is a single by British
heavy metal band
Diamond Head released in 1980 by Happy Face Records, the band's own label. It was a single
A-side with "Shoot Out the Lights" and "Helpless" as the B-side, and was only available on
7", without a picture sleeve in order to reduce production costs.
An extended version of "Helpless" appeared on Diamond Head's 1980 debut ''
Lightning to the Nations
''Lightning to the Nations'' is the debut album by British heavy metal band Diamond Head. The album was recorded in 1979 (after the 1977 and 1979 demos) and released in 1980 through Happy Face Records, a label owned by the producer Muff Murf ...
'', and "Shoot Out the Lights" eventually appeared on an expanded version of the debut album released in 2001 by
Sanctuary Records.
The EP received much criticism from heavy metal fans claiming that "it wasn't metal enough". The band, though scoffing at these comments, was seen in live concerts playing more
hardcore versions of beloved songs.
"Helpless" was covered by heavy metal band
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band. The band was formed in 1981 in Los Angeles by vocalist/guitarist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich, and has been based in San Francisco for most of its career. The band's fast tempos, instrume ...
on their 1987 ''
The $5.98 E.P. – Garage Days Re-Revisited
''The $5.98 E.P. – Garage Days Re-Revisited'' (released on CD as ''The $9.98 CD – Garage Days Re-Revisited'') is the first extended play by American heavy metal band Metallica, released on August 21, 1987, by Elektra Records. It consists ...
'' EP.
Track listing
# "Shoot Out the Lights"
# "Helpless"
Lineup
*Brian Tatler
*Sean Harris
*Duncan Scott
*Colin Kimberley
Charts
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Shoot Out the Lights (song)
1980 singles
Diamond Head (band) songs