The Apple Stretching
"The Apple Stretching" is a song by American recording artist Grace Jones, released as a single in 1982.
"The Apple Stretching" | ||||
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Single by Grace Jones | ||||
from the album Living My Life | ||||
B-side | "Nipple to the Bottle" | |||
Released | October 1982 | |||
Recorded | June 1982 | |||
Genre | Reggae | |||
Length | 3:33 | |||
Label | Island | |||
Songwriter(s) | Melvin Van Peebles | |||
Producer(s) | ||||
Grace Jones singles chronology | ||||
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Background
"The Apple Stretching" was written by Melvin Van Peebles for his 1982 play Waltz of the Stork.[1] The song describes New York City in the early morning. It was included on Jones' sixth album Living My Life and later released as a double A-side single with "Nipple to the Bottle", written by Jones and Sly Dunbar, which also got a separate single release. The original 7-minute song's single edit was just the album version, faded out at 3:33. "The Apple Stretching" was simultaneously released in a 12" version, clocking in at 8:40. It included an omitted (on the album) second verse of the song, where Grace sings together with a bass guitar only along with funky percussion. This version remains unreleased on CD. The song has been described as "the best record ever about New York."[2] Van Peebles said of being able to do the song, "I couldn't have done [that track before], because people weren't used to [paying attention to] music and words simultaneously}.[3]
Track listing
- 7" single
- A. "The Apple Stretching" – 3:33
- B. "Nipple to the Bottle" – 4:22
- 12" single
- A. "The Apple Stretching" – 8:40
- B. "Nipple to the Bottle" – 6:59
Chart performance
Chart (1982) | Peak position |
---|---|
United Kingdom[4] | 50 |
References
- Bessman, Jim (March 4, 1995). "Capitol's Melvin Van Peebles Issues 1st Album in 20 Years". Billboard. 107 (9): 86. ISSN 0006-2510.
- Paul Flynn. "Grace Jones The Apple Stretching The best record ever about New York..." www.dummymag.com. Archived from the original on 2012-10-29. Retrieved 2012-05-24.
- Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 1995-03-04.
- "GRACE JONES". www.theofficialcharts.com. Retrieved 2011-02-07.