Danger (The Motels song)

"Danger" is a song by American new wave band The Motels, which was released in 1980 as the second single from their second studio album Careful. The song was written by Martha Davis and Tim McGovern, and produced by Carter. "Danger" saw limited commercial success in the US (where it was the album's first single), but generated more chart action in Australasia, peaking at number 88 in Australia and 30 in New Zealand.[1][2]

"Danger"
Single by The Motels
from the album Careful
Released1980
Length3:23
LabelCapitol
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Carter
The Motels singles chronology
"Days Are OK"
(1980)		 "Danger"
(1980)		 "Whose Problem?"
(1980)

Background

Davis originally wrote "Danger" for The Pointer Sisters. She told JAM Magazine in 1980, "My lawyer called me up and said they needed tunes, and I just came up with this little melody and went and sang it in somebody's living room. They loved it, but they already had gotten all of their material so they couldn't use it. I wasn't even going to use it for the Motels."[3] The song went on to be recorded by The Motels after the band's guitarist Tim McGovern worked on the track. Davis recalled in 2000, "Tim got a hold of [the track], making it a little less R&B and a lot more Motel-a-Phonic."[4]

Critical reception

On its release, Cash Box described "Danger" as a "superb track" from a "top notch and highly underrated band". They noted the "muscular groove", "some choppy, hard-edged guitar work" and Davis' "sexy tones".[5] Record World praised Davis' "alluring vocals" and added that the song features "a pulsating guitar [which] underscores her nocturnal fears".[6]

Track listing

7–inch single (US, Canada, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, South Africa and New Zealand)[7][8][9][10][11][12]

  1. "Danger" – 3:23
  2. "Cry Baby" – 3:24

7–inch promotional single (US)[13]

  1. "Danger" – 3:23
  2. "Danger" – 3:23

7–inch single (UK)[14]

  1. "Danger" – 3:23
  2. "Total Control" (Edited Version) – 3:45

7–inch single (France)[15]

  1. "Danger" – 3:23
  2. "Careful" – 3:26

7–inch single (Australia)[16]

  1. "Danger" – 3:23
  2. "Slow Town" – 4:14

7–inch single (Japan)[17]

  1. "Danger" – 3:23
  2. "Days Are O.K. (But the Nights Were Made for Love)" – 3:32

12–inch single (UK)[18]

  1. "Danger" – 3:23
  2. "Envy" – 3:27
  3. "Total Control" (Full Length Version) – 5:51

Personnel

Credits are adapted from the Careful LP inner sleeve notes.[19]

The Motels

  • Martha Davis – vocals, guitar
  • Tim McGovern – guitar
  • Marty Jourard – keyboards, saxophone
  • Michael Goodroe – bass
  • Brian Glascock – drums

Production

  • Carter – producer, engineer
  • Warren Dewey – recording
  • Richard McKernan – assistant engineer

Charts
Chart (1980) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[1] 88
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[20] 30
US Record World Singles 101-150[21] 127

References
  1. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 209. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  2. "The Motels - Danger". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  3. "The Motels". JAM Magazine. October 1980. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  4. Martha, Davis (2000). Anthologyland (CD). The Motels. US: Oglio Records. OGL81607-2.
  5. "Reviews: Singles". Cash Box. Vol. 42, no. 11. July 26, 1980. p. 13. ISSN 0008-7289.
  6. "Single Picks". Record World. Vol. 37, no. 1721. July 19, 1980. p. 176. ISSN 0034-1622.
  7. Danger (US and Canada 7-inch single sleeve). The Motels. Capitol Records. 1980. 4896.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. Danger (Germany 7-inch single sleeve). The Motels. Capitol Records. 1980. 1C 006-86 224.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. Danger (Netherlands 7-inch single sleeve). The Motels. Capitol Records. 1980. 1A 006-86224.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. Danger (Spain 7-inch single sleeve). The Motels. Capitol Records. 1980. 10C 006-086224.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. Danger (South Africa 7-inch single sleeve). The Motels. Capitol Records. 1980. JCL 691.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. Danger (New Zealand 7-inch single sleeve). The Motels. Capitol Records. 1980. F 4896.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. Danger (US 7-inch promotional single sleeve). The Motels. Capitol Records. 1980. P-4896.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. Danger (UK 7-inch single sleeve). The Motels. Capitol Records. 1980. CL 16185.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. Danger (France 7-inch single sleeve). The Motels. Capitol Records. 1980. 2C 008 86219.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  16. Danger (Australia 7-inch single sleeve). The Motels. Capitol Records. 1980. CP-270.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  17. Danger (Japan 7-inch single sleeve). The Motels. Capitol Records. 1980. ECS-17011.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  18. Danger (UK 7-inch single sleeve). The Motels. Capitol Records. 1980. CL 16185.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  19. Careful (US vinyl LP inner sleeve notes). The Motels. Capitol Records. 1980. ST-12070.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  20. "The Motels – Danger". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  21. "Singles 101-150". Record World. Vol. 37, no. 1729. September 13, 1980. p. 30. ISSN 0034-1622.
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