Play it Again, Sam #35c - "Ball of Confusion (That's what the World is Today)"
@teamfreak16 (43676)
Denver, Colorado
April 30, 2018 9:11am CST
Ah ha! When I introduced this music series, Play it Again, Sam, I hinted that, occasionally, I would be throwing a curveball into the proceedings, and today is one of those days! We are at #35c: a cover of The Temptations' "Ball of Confusion (That's what the World is Today)" by B.E.F. featuring Tina Turner.
When vocalist Tina Turner was orchestrating her post-Ike comeback, one of the things she did was hook up with B.E.F. (British Electric Foundation,) a group made up of members of the band Heaven 17, for a 1982 covers album, Music of Quality and Distinction Volume One.
Turner's synth-heavy (remember, Heaven 17 was involved) version (released as "Ball of Confusion") led off the album and was a Top 5 hit in Norway. It also caught the ear of Capital Records, which signed Turner, which resulted in the singer's smash 1984 album, Private Dancer.
Tina Turner did record with B.E.F. again. Their cover of David Bowie's "1984" appears on Private Dancer, and a version of Sam Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come" can be found on Music of Quality and Distinction Volume Two.
And now you know!
(Info verified by Wikipedia)
6 people like this
6 responses
@teamfreak16 (43676)
• Denver, Colorado
30 Apr 18
You're welcome. You're a Tina Turner fan, I take it?
@amadeo (111937)
• United States
30 Apr 18
@teamfreak16 Oh yes always has been.Have a good evening
1 person likes this

@teamfreak16 (43676)
• Denver, Colorado
1 May 18
Thank you. I'm kind of obsessed with it!

1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86907)
• United States
1 May 18
Give Tina a phone book to sing and there will be quality. Give her a classic like this, and it’s just wow.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43676)
• Denver, Colorado
1 May 18
They were brilliant to hook up with her. One of the other vocalists on that album was Gary Glitter. Quite a difference in vocal capability!
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (98127)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
30 Apr 18
I just love this song. Tina does it wonders.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43676)
• Denver, Colorado
30 Apr 18
I like the synthesizer. Of course, I am a fan of Heaven 17, so I would. Pairing up with Tina was genius!
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43676)
• Denver, Colorado
30 Apr 18
I have to admit that I do like the Love and Rockets version best.
@spiderdust (14756)
• San Jose, California
30 Apr 18
Wait -- this wasn't an original by Love And Rockets?
I never knew! I now feel ashamed for not knowing.
I never knew! I now feel ashamed for not knowing.1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43676)
• Denver, Colorado
30 Apr 18
They certainly put their own stamp on it.
1 person likes this







