Bronski Beat's 'Truthdare Doubledare' Receives First-Ever Reissue in July to Mark 40 Years

This year marks the 40 years of Truthdare Doubledare, the second studio album from UK synth outfit Bronski Beat.

London Records revisit the album with its first-ever reissue, presented across a range of formats including digital, limited edition purple LP, picture disc LP, 1CD and expanded 3CD. Fully remastered, the release also unearths rare and previously unreleased studio sessions and live recordings. The 40th Anniversary editions of Truthdare Doubledare will be released July 3 and are available to pre-order.HERE.

New remixes include a rework of “Hit That Perfect Beat” from Doncaster-born, London-based DJ I. JORDAN. Listen to “Hit That Perfect Beat” (I. JORDAN Rework) HERE. Watch the official visualizer HERE.

The album emerged during a period of transformation for Bronski Beat. Following the departure of founding frontman Jimmy Somerville, Steve Bronski and Larry Steinbachek enlisted friend of the band John Jøn Foster to take up the helm as lead vocalist. What began as informal studio collaborations soon culminated in the creation of the album’s first single (and era-defining smash) “Hit That Perfect Beat.”

Originally produced with Mike Thorne (who had previously worked with the band on The Age of Consent album) to feature in Chris Bernard’s British rom-com film ‘Letter to Brezhnev’, the track was later finished by album producer Adam Williams who had worked with Eurythmics on their many of their early hits. 

Despite Somerville’s departure “Hit That Perfect Beat” reached No. 3 in the UK charts (matching the success of “Smalltown Boy”), commanding multiple Top of the Pops performances and becoming a Hi-NRG classic in UK clubs and all over continental Europe.

Written and recorded following the success of “Hit That Perfect Beat,” the making of Truthdare Doubledare was a fast-paced process. Tracks such as “Back On Me,” described by John Jøn as “a crossover track between Bronski Beat Mk.1 and Bronski Beat Mk.2”, feature falsetto vocal styling very reminiscent of the band’s original singer. 

“Black Storm” was initially written as a clap-back at the unstoppable rise of the political right in Thatcher’s Britain, and in turn was also a reflection of John Jøn’s feelings of his own position within the band. Amongst the rush to follow up on “Hit That Perfect Beat,” the band were pushed to make creative compromises such as label-driven lyric changes aimed at expanding the band’s international appeal. Following the Top 20 success of the follow-up single, “C’mon C’mon,” Truthdare Doubledare was released in April of 1986, reaching the UK Top 20.

PRE-ORDER
TRUTHDARE DOUBLEDARE (REMASTERED & EXPANDED)

LISTEN | WATCH
“HIT THAT PERFECT BEAT” (I. JORDAN REWORK)

Track listings:

1CD
Disc One

Hit That Perfect Beat
Truthdare Doubledare
C’Mon! C’Mon!
Punishment For Love
We Know How It Feels
This Heart
Do It
Dr. John
In My Dreams
Hit That Perfect Beat (I. JORDAN Rework)
Dr. John (Ted Carfrae Extended Rework)
C’Mon! C’Mon! (12" Version)
This Heart (John Gallen 12" Mix)
Hit That Perfect Beat (12" Version)

3CD

Disc One
Hit That Perfect Beat

Truthdare Doubledare
C’Mon! C’Mon!
Punishment For Love
We Know How It Feels
This Heart
Do It
Dr. John
In My Dreams
I Gave You Everything
What Are You Doing About It?(Extended Version)
Dr. John (Ted Carfrae Rework)
Something Special
Drum Majors (Tambour Majeur)
Hit That Perfect Beat (Cocktail Mix)

Disc Two
Loveline (Extended 1990 Version
Meaning Of Love (Studio Session)
Black Storm (Studio Session)
Take You There (Studio Session)
Back On Me (Feeling Lonely) [Studio Session]
Running (Free Yourself) [Studio Session]
Keeps Me Satisfied (Studio Session)
Hit That Perfect Beat (BBC Radio One Session)
C’Mon! C’Mon! (BBC Radio One Session)
Back On Me (BBC Radio One Session)
In My Dreams (BBC Radio One Session)
Hit That Perfect Beat (Metropolitan 7" Mix with timbale)
This Heart (John Gallen 7" Mix)
We Know How It Feels (Piano Version)
What Are You Doing About It? (7" Version)
Loveline (1993 Version)
Hit That Perfect Beat (1994 Version)
This Heart (Ian Levine 7" Mix)

Disc Three
Hit That Perfect Beat (I. JORDAN Rework)
Dr. John (Ted Carfrae Extended Rework)
Hit That Perfect Beat (12" Version)
C'Mon! C'Mon! (12" Version)
This Heart (John Gallen 12" Mix)
Hit That Perfect Beat (Instant Mix)
C'Mon! C'Mon! (Tropical Mix)
This Heart (Ian Levine 12" Remix)
Hit That Perfect Beat (Metropolitan 12" Version)

1LP
Side One
A1. Hit That Perfect Beat
A2. Truthdare Doubledare
A3. C’Mon! C’Mon!
A4. Punishment For Love
A5. We Know How It Feels
A6. What Are You Doing About It?

Side Two
B1. This Heart
B2. Do It
B3. Dr. John
B4. In My Dreams
B5. I Gave You Everything
B6. Hit That Perfect Beat (Cocktail Mix)

Digital
Disc One
Hit That Perfect Beat
Truthdare Doubledare
C’Mon! C’Mon!
Punishment For Love
We Know How It Feels
This Heart
Do It
Dr. John
In My Dreams
I Gave You Everything
What Are You Doing About It? Extended Version
Something Special
Drum Majors (Tambour Majeur)
Hit That Perfect Beat (Cocktail Mix)

Disc Two
Loveline (Extended 1990 Version)
Meaning Of Love (Studio Session)
Black Storm (Studio Session)
Take You There (Studio Session)
Back On Me (Feeling Lonely) [Studio Session]
Running (Free Yourself) [Studio Session]
Keeps Me Satisfied (Studio Session)
Hit That Perfect Beat (I. JORDAN Rework)
Dr. John (Ted Carfrae Extended Rework)
Hit That Perfect Beat (12” Version)
C'Mon! C'Mon! (12” Version)
This Heart (John Gallen 12” Mix)
Hit That Perfect Beat (Instant Mix)
C'Mon! C'Mon! (Tropical Mix)
This Heart (Ian Levine 12” Remix)
Hit That Perfect Beat (Metropolitan 12” Version)