Limousine (song)

"Limousine" is a song by German synthpop band Hubert Kah, released in 1986 as the lead single from their third studio album Tensongs. The song was written by Hubert Kemmler, Markus Löhr, Susanne Müller-Pi and Klaus Hirschburger, and produced by Michael Cretu and Armand Volker.

"Limousine"
Single by Hubert Kah
from the album Tensongs
ReleasedApril 1986[1]
Length3:41
LabelCurb
MCA
Blow Up
Songwriter(s)Hubert Kemmler
Markus Löhr
Susanne Müller-Pi
Klaus Hirschburger
Producer(s)Michael Cretu
Armand Volker
Hubert Kah singles chronology
"Angel 07"
(1985)		 "Limousine"
(1986)		 "Something I Should Know"
(1986)

Background

Following the release of their third studio album Goldene Zeiten in 1984, Hubert Kah began writing and recording their first English studio album Tensongs. As recording neared completion, the band felt the album lacked any potential singles, prompting them to write "Limousine". The song was written in approximately 20 minutes at Löhr's apartment in Frankfurt.[2]

Hirschburger recalled to James Arena in 2017: ""Limousine" was done very spontaneously. Hubert and I had an idea about a limousine. It worked, and we incorporated a classical approach in the melody."[2] In a 1986 for Japanese TV, Hirschburger described "Limousine" as being "about a man who is real paranoid and is always chased by a dream".[3]

The song achieved success in Europe, reaching No. 8 in Germany and No. 25 in Switzerland. It was the band's last Top 30 hit in Germany.[1][4]

Promotion

For German TV, Hubert Kah also performed the song on P. I. T. – Peter-Illmann-Treff on 14 May,[5] Formel Eins on 20 May,[6] WWF Club on 13 June,[7] and Peter's Pop Show on 6 December.[8]

Critical reception

Upon its release, Music & Media described "Limousine" as Hubert Kah's "most commercial effort as of yet". They added: "Accessible and danceable pop disco plus a catchy chorus effectively backed by a female choir."[9] Billboard described the song as "Eurosynth atmospherics in a Talk Talk/Roxy Music vein".[10] Bob Eborall of the Ealing Leader described the song as a "potent single".[11] David Quantick of New Musical Express described "Limousine" as a "completely commonplace single" and concluded that "Hubert's wheels are definitely not on fire".[12]

Track listing
7" single
  1. "Limousine" - 3:41
  2. "Drowning" - 3:45
12" single (European release)
  1. "Limousine" (Extended Version) - 5:40
  2. "Drowning" - 3:45
12" single (UK release)
  1. "Limousine" (American Remix) - 7:10
  2. "Limousine" (Extended Version) - 5:40
  3. "Drowning" - 3:45
12" single (German release)
  1. "Limousine" (American Edit) - 5:13
  2. "Drowning" - 3:45
  3. "The Picture" - 3:24
12" single (Japanese release)
  1. "Limousine" (American Remix Version) - 5:13
  2. "Drowning" - 3:45
12" single (US promo)
  1. "Limousine" (American Re-mix) - 7:10
  2. "Limousine" (Extended Version - European) - 5:40
  3. "Limousine" (Edit) - 3:41
  4. "Drowning" - 3:45

Personnel

Hubert Kah

  • Hubert Kemmler – vocals, arranger
  • Markus Löhr – guitar, keyboards, arranger
  • Klaus Hirschburger – bass, arranger

Additional musicians

  • Lothar Krell – keyboards, arranger on "Limousine"
  • Curt Cress – drums
  • Judy Cheeks, Victoria Miles, Patricia Shockley – backing vocals on "Limousine"

Production

  • Michael Cretu, Armand Volker – producers, arranger
  • Boris Granich, Christer Modig – American remix

Other

  • Mike Schmidt at Ink Studios – cover
  • Dieter Eikelpoth – photography

Charts
Chart (1986) Peak
position
European Hot 100 Singles[13] 88
German Singles Chart[1] 8
Swiss Singles Chart[4] 25

References
  1. Steffen Hung. "Hubert Kah - Limousine". germancharts.de. Retrieved 2020-03-13.
  2. Arena, James (2017-07-21). Europe's Stars of '80s Dance Pop: 32 International Music Legends Discuss ... - James Arena - Google Books. ISBN 9781476630144. Retrieved 2020-03-13.
  3. "HUBERT KaH interview 1986.mpg". YouTube. 2012-02-08. Retrieved 2020-03-13.
  4. Steffen Hung. "Hubert Kah - Limousine". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 2020-03-13.
  5. "Hubert Kah - Limousine (P.I.T. 1986) + Interview". YouTube. 2018-04-01. Retrieved 2020-03-13.
  6. "Hubert Kah - Limousine (Formel Eins 1986)". YouTube. 2017-02-10. Retrieved 2020-03-13.
  7. "Hubert Kah - Limousine (WWF Club 1986)". YouTube. Retrieved 2020-03-13.
  8. "Hubert Kah - Limousine (Peters Pop Show 1986)". YouTube. 2016-12-14. Retrieved 2020-03-13.
  9. "New Talent". Music & Media. 28 June 1986.
  10. "Reviews: Singles". Billboard. 22 November 1986.
  11. Eborall, Bob (6 March 1987). "Records: There's gold in cobweb corner". Ealing Leader.
  12. Quantick, David (17 January 1987). "45". New Musical Express. p. 17.
  13. "European Hot 100 Singles". Music & Media. 6 September 1986.
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