Lullaby (Book of Love song)

"Lullaby"
Single by Book of Love
from the album Lullaby
B-side"Oranges and Lemons"
Released4 January 1989
Recorded1987–1988
GenreSynthpop, new wave
Length6:15 (album version)
4:05 (single version)
LabelSire Records
Songwriter(s)Theodore Ottaviano
Producer(s)Flood and Ted Ottaviano
Book of Love singles chronology
"Pretty Boys and Pretty Girls"
(1988) 		"Lullaby"
(1989) 		"Witchcraft"
(1989)
Music video
"Lullaby" on YouTube

"Lullaby" is the sixth single released by the American synthpop band Book of Love. The song was the second single released from the band's second album Lullaby in 1988.

Although "Lullaby" failed to reach the Billboard Hot 100 chart, it became a top 30 dance club hit. The song peaked at no. 27 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart and spent seven weeks on the chart.[1] The track, over time, has become a signature song in the band's catalogue.[2]

The band utilized a string section of 20 Juilliard students, conducted by Michelle DiBucci, to record strings for the track, as well as bagpipes, played by a kilt wearing Roger Parsons.[3] For the 12" single, the track was remixed into five different remixes by Justin Strauss.[4] The band, along with recording engineer "Doc" Dougherty, also remixed the track; titled "Lullaby (7” Version)", this remix was included on the 7-inch and cassette singles sold at retail outlets as well as the promotional CD single.[5][6][7]

The cover art of the 12" vinyl and cassette are drawings done by lead vocalist Susan Ottaviano. The drawings are in a similar style to Amedeo Modigliani, the subject of one of their previous singles, titled "Modigliani (Lost in Your Eyes)".

While on tour in mid-2017, the band premiered a music video for the track which was later published to their official YouTube channel. The video, an animated short directed by Ronaldo Aguiar, features all new drawings by Susan Ottaviano.

Track listings

1988 7" Single (Sire Records 7-27667)

Side A: "Lullaby" (7" Version) - 4:05

Side B: "Oranges and Lemons" (LP Version) - 3:32

1988 7" Promo Single (Sire Records 7-27667-DJ)

Side A: "Lullaby" (7" Remix) - 4:15

Side B: "Lullaby" (7" Remix) - 4:15

1988 12" Maxi-Single (Sire Records 9 21101-0)

Side A:

  1. "Lullaby" (Pleasant Dream Mix) - 6:56
  2. "Lullaby" (Dream Dub) - 6:59
  3. "Lullaby" (7" Remix) - 4:15

Side B:

  1. "Lullaby" (Insomnia Mix) - 6:47
  2. "Lullaby" (Dub Somnia) - 5:41
  3. "Oranges and Lemons" - 3:32

1988 Cassette Single (Sire Records 9 27667-4)

Side A:

  1. "Lullaby" (7" Version) - 4:05

Side B:

  1. "Oranges and Lemons" - 3:32

1988 Promo CD Single (Sire Records PRO-CD-3355)

  1. "Lullaby" (7" Version) - 4:05
  2. "Lullaby" (7" Remix) - 4:15
  3. "Lullaby" (Pleasant Dream Mix) - 6:56
  4. "Lullaby" (Insomnia Mix) - 6:47

Personnel

"Lullaby" written by Theodore Ottaviano. "Oranges and Lemons" written by Susan Ottaviano and Ted Ottaviano. All instruments arranged, programmed, and performed by Book of Love.

  • Susan Ottaviano – lead vocals
  • Ted Ottaviano – keyboards
  • Lauren Roselli – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Jade Lee – keyboards, percussion, backing vocals

Credits

  • Produced by Flood and Ted Ottaviano
  • Additional Production and Remix by Justin Strauss for JustRite Productions
  • Remix Engineer: Daniel Abraham
  • Additional Keyboard Programming: Eric Kupper
  • Edited by Chep Nuñez
  • Bagpipes by Roger Parsons
  • Strings conducted by Michelle DiBucci
  • Drawings by Susan Ottaviano

Charts

Year Song Chart peak positions
US Club Play[1]
1988 "Lullaby" 27

Official versions

Year Version Length Mixed/Remixed by Comment
1988 Album version 6:15 Alan Meyerson Found on all formats of the album Lullaby.* CD booklet lists track time of 6:03, but it is actually 6:15 with fade.
1989 7" Version 4:05 "Doc" Dougherty
Book of Love 		Found on the 7" vinyl single (Sire Records 7-27667), cassette single (Sire Records 9 27667-4) and promo CD single (Sire Records PRO-CD-3355).
1989 7" Remix 4:15 Justin Strauss Found on the 7" vinyl promo single and the promo CD single (Sire Records PRO-CD-3355).
1989 Pleasant Dream Mix 6:56 Justin Strauss Found on the 12" vinyl maxi-singles, the promo CD single, and the 2009 reissue CD of Lullaby (Noble Rot).
1989 Dream Dub 6:59 Justin Strauss Found on the 12" vinyl maxi-single (Sire Records 9 21101-0), and the promo 12" vinyl maxi-single (Sire Records 0-21101).
1989 Insomnia Mix 6:47 Justin Strauss Found on the 12" vinyl maxi-singles and the promo CD single (Sire Records PRO-CD-3355).
1989 Dub Somnia 5:41 Justin Strauss Found on the 12" vinyl maxi-single (Sire Records 9 21101-0), and the promo 12" vinyl maxi-single (Sire Records 0-21101).
2001 Edit 4:59 Alan Meyerson An edit of the album version that has a shorter bagpipe intro and string outro. Found only the CD of I Touch Roses: The Best of Book of Love.*

" * " denotes that version is available as digital download

References

  1. ^ a b Billboard Music Charts - Search Results - Book of Love, Billboard, retrieved 2013-07-02
  2. ^ Paoletta, Michael (2009). Lullaby (CD sleeve notes). Book Of Love. Noble Rot. p. 2. 2009 reissue.
  3. ^ Paoletta, Michael (2009). Lullaby (CD sleeve notes). Book Of Love. Noble Rot. p. 1. 2009 reissue.
  4. ^ "Book Of Love - Lullaby (Vinyl 12" Maxi-Single) at Discogs". Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  5. ^ "Book Of Love - Lullaby (Vinyl 7" Single) at Discogs". Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  6. ^ "Book Of Love - Lullaby (Cassette Single) at Discogs". Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  7. ^ "Book Of Love - Lullaby (CD Single Promo) at Discogs". Retrieved 5 May 2014.