Penthouse and Pavement

Penthouse and Pavement is the title of the debut album by Heaven 17 released on Virgin records in 1981. The album was produced by B.E.F. and all songs written by B.E.F./Gregory. It entered the UK album charts at no.20 on its release and reached its peak position of no.14 a week later. It also enjoyed surprising longevity with a total of 77 weeks in the Top 100 over a period of two years after its release.

Four singles were taken form the album, none of which managed to enter the UK Top 40. (We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thang and Play To Win both preceded the album whilst an edit of the title track and a remix of At the Height of the Fighting were released afterwards. The album did not feature their other 1981 single I'm Your Money.

Personell
The group at the time was made up of three permanent members Martyn Ware, Ian Craig Marsh (both formerly of The Human League) and vocalist Glenn Gregory, plus guest musicians most notably John Wilson on bass, guitar and guitar synthesiser on the Penthouse side.

Notable guest artists include John Wilson on bass guitar (Penthouse Side) and Josie James, vocals on Penthouse and Pavement.

Track-listing
Penthouse Side Pavement Side
 * original LP/MC release, V 2208 - Virgin 1981
 * 1) (We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thang
 * 2) Penthouse and Pavement
 * 3) Play To Win
 * 4) Soul Warfare
 * 1) Geisha Boys and Temple Girls
 * 2) Let's All Make a Bomb
 * 3) At the Height of the Fighting
 * 4) Song With No Name
 * 5) We're Going to Live for a Very Long Time

Re-issues

 * first CD issue rel. 1983, Virgin CDV 2208. Tracks 1-9 as above.
 * CD re-issue, 2006, Virgin CDVR 2208 as above plus bonus tracks:
 * 1) Groove Thang  (B.E.F.)
 * 2) Are Everything (12" version)
 * 3) I'm Your Money (12" version)
 * 4) Decline of the West (B.E.F.)
 * 5) Honeymoon in New York (B.E.F.)
 * new CD and digital remaster, 2010 with bonus tracks, demos, etc., plus The Making Of Penthouse And Pavement Documentary DVD. Details here

Singles
the following tracks from Penthouse and Pavement were released as singles in the UK

rel. 06 March 1981, UK chart peak 45
 * (We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thang

7" Virgin VS 400

A. (We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thang (4:06)

B. The Decline Of The West (7:00)

12" Virgin VS 400-12

A. (We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thang (4:53)

B. The Decline Of The West (7:00)

NB on both issues The Decline Of The West is attributed to British electric Foundation on the labels.

rel. August 1981, UK chart peak 46
 * Play To Win

7" Virgin VS 433

A. Play To Win (3:24) B. Play (3:36)

12" Virgin VS 433-12

A. Play To Win (7:29)

B. Play (8:30)

Writing credits "BEF/Gregory" suggest that Marsh & Ware were effectively the British Electric Foundation.

rel. November 1981, UK chart peak 57
 * Penthouse and Pavement

7" Virgin VS 455

A. Penthouse and Pavement (4:02)

B. Penthouse And Pavement (Instrumental) (4:35)

12" Virgin VS 455-12

A. Penthouse and Pavement (6:57)

B. Penthouse And Pavement (Instrumental) (6:59)

A remixed version of album track "At the Height of the Fighting"
 * Height Of The Fighting (He-La-Hu)

rel. February 1982, UK chart peak

7" Virgin VS 483

A. Height Of The Fighting (He-La-Hu)

B. Honeymoon In New York

12" Virgin 483-12

A. Height Of The Fighting (He-La-Hu) (2:55)

B1. He-La-Hu (2:55)

B2. Honeymoon In New York (2:12)

Non-album singles
Also in 1981, Heaven 17 released two new tracks as their second single. The B-side is a cover version of a song originally recorded by The Buzzcocks.

rel. May 1981, UK chart peak -

7" Virgin VS 417

A. I'm Your Money

B. Are Everything

12" Virgin VS 417-12

Sleeve states: "Special Fortified Dance Mixes!". No timings are given but both are extended mixes of the 7" versions.

A. I'm Your Money

B. Are Everything