Song written by Ricky and Marty Wilde. Fifth track of the album Teases & Dares. The song was released on single in March 1985.
Versions
There are three versions of ‘Rage to Love’: the album version, a 7″ version remixed by Dave Edmunds and an extended version.
Formats
The track was released as a 7″ single and 12″ single. A shaped picture disc also appeared in the UK, containing the 7″ single tracks.
See also this page in the discography.
Music video
A music video was filmed to promote the single.
Go to this page for more information.
Live performances
‘Rage to Love’ was performed live during the Rage to Rock Tour in 1985 only.
Cover versions
‘Rage to Love’ has been covered by Sneaky Pete & Cool Cats in 1997.
Kim about ‘Rage to Love’
I think ‘Rage to Love’ was a brilliant record. We got Dave Edmunds to remix that and it sounded very Stray Cats-ish. But I just thought it had the best energy of any record from that time, unlike myself. I didn’t have an awful lot at that time. I kinda let things go, lost control a bit, became a bit jaded. (1)
Ricky about ‘Rage to Love’
Dave Edmunds was the obvious choice to come in and mix it, because he worked with the Stray Cats and he got that amazing sound for ‘Runaway Boys’ and I thought that’s what it needed. And he came in, bless him, he said he just wanted to do it. Didn’t want to talk about money or payment or anything. He said ‘Look, I just want to do it’. He came in and he spent the whole day and I literally deliberately went out and just did – I don’t remember where I went but I just wanted to stay away so I could come back in with fresh ears. What he did with that track, he just transformed it. I mean, it did sound great when I left it, but when I came back it sounded amazing! What he’d done with all the drums and the bass and the slapbass on it, it was just fantastic. (…) I think we paid him with a crate of champagne. (2)
Credits
Drums: Chris North
’61 Gibson Barney Kessel, ’57 Fender Stratocaster, ’55 Gibson (Scotty Moore) ES 295, Backing vocals: Steve Byrd
Roland Jupiter 8, Solina, Mini Moog, Synclavier II, backing vocals: Ricki Wilde
Produced by Ricki Wilde and Marty Wilde.
Engineer: Nigel Mills with thanks to Stephen Stewart-Short and Pete Schwier.
Highest chart positions
Australia: 94
Germany: 45 (6 weeks)
United Kingdom: 19 (8 weeks)
Interview source
(1) Kim Wilde. In: Record Collector (UK), September 1993
(2) Unsung Heroes podcast, 17 July 2021
Lyrics
Ten little Indians
Standin’ in a row
All dressed up
But nowhere to go
Lookin’ for a target
Lookin’ for a man ……..
Just get me outta here
It’s not the place
My mind’s been thinkin’ on
Just push me out again
It’s no use hangin’ round or hangin’on
Seven little Indians
Standin’ in a row
The compere walks on the stage and he says
“Sing it Girls”
But the band’s no good
And the song don’t cut it
Just get me outta here
It’s not the place
My mind’s been thinkin’ on
Just push me out again
It’s no use hangin’ round or hangin’on
Come on, let’s go tonight
We gotta brand new way to celebrate it
Oh – I got this rage to love
Baby – it’s so right
And if you feel it …
Good !
Dedicate it
Oh – I got this rage to love
Three little indians
Cryin’ in their make-up
Nobody stops
And nobody cares
Just get me outta here
It’s not the place
My mind’s been thinkin’ on
Just push me out again
It’s no use hangin’ round or hangin’on
Come on let’s go tonight
We gotta brand new way to celebrate it
Oh – I got this rage to love
Baby it’s so right
And if you feel it…
Good !
Dedicate it
Oh I got this rage to…
Oh it’s just this rage to… Oh I got this rage to love
