WE SALUTE @ LIPSTICK POWDER + PAINT

LET ME TAKE YOU ON A RETRO JOURNEY... BACK TO 1984...

Lipstick Powder & Paint 12 Inch Originally written by the late Jesse Stone (he passed on in 1999) this great track was originally a hit for Joe Turner.

Lipstick has been covered many times throughout the years, check this out - by Joe Turner (1956), by Delbert McClinton (1976), by Shortlist (1982), by Shakin' Stevens of Joe Turner's single course (October 1985), by Lips & The Trips (2002) and by Roomful of Blues (March 11, 2003). Apart from Joe Turner & Shaky, i've not heard of any of them!

Jesse also wrote some other very well known songs such as 'Shake Rattle & Roll' and 'Good Golly Miss Molly'.

This record followed after the electronic single Breaking Up My Heart, and proved Shaky with a return to good old Rock n' Roll. Shaky had always planned at some point to put this song out as it had been a favorite of his for many years. Shaky even performed Lipstick years ago on the 'Let's Rock' TV Show. Shaky once listed Lipstick in his favorite Top 10 records of all time in Smash Hits magazine. (or was it Look-In?).

This single also was the first taster of Shaky's new studio album of the same name, which was released a month later. And we all know the album 'Lipstick Powder & Paint' is arguably one of Shaky's best albums. This may be because the single and album welcomed back a great early producer of Shaky's. The legendary Dave Edmunds.

The Single had a lot of airplay at the time and many TV performances. One of the most Lipstick Powder & Paint 12 Inch memorable was on 'Live From Her Majesty's', in which Shaky also sung a duet with Jimmy Tarbuck! (Blueberry Hill).

Dissapointingly the single never made the Top 10. (only just - it reached No.11!)

HERE ARE THE UK CHART STATISTICS FOR 'LIPSTICK POWDER & PAINT'.

  • First appeared in chart (at position): 12/10/1985 (No.39)
    Last Seen in chart (at position): 07/12/1985 (No.64)
    Length of time in chart: 9 weeks
    Highest position in chart: No.11


  • It Charted all over Europe and actually got higher in some other charts. It reached the same No.11 in Ireland but in Austria it reached No.8. In fact, the country it charted the highest was Poland, reaching the dizzy height of No.6. The Swiss took it to No.22 and Germany gave it a No.52 peak.


  • There was no Limited Edition singles for this release, although there was a limited promotional mug. (..If you were lucky enough to track one down).


  • There was a 12" Single released, but a bit of a lazy one. Although the sleeve was different, the track was not extended or remixed. If you look at the A-Side on the 12" Single, you'll see it has the biggest waste of vinyl ever with a massive 'run out'. The track only clocks in at just over 2 mins! There was a bonus track added though, another taster of what was to come on the forthcoming album.. 'As Long As I Have You'. A Superb deep bass droning ballad written by Shaky


  • The B-Side for the single was a remixed new take on the previous B-Side featured on Breaking Up My Heart. This track was 'I'll Give You My Heart' also written by Shaky. It would seem Shaky was not 100% happy with the finished track that ended up on Breaking Up My Heart, so decided to do it again his way. The remix is pretty much the same but has more Guitar and a more crisp production.


  • Now a fact for the geeks... This was the last UK Shaky 'Epic' release to have the Blue Epic label. The Company revamped the Label colour to White in the same year. If you bought Lipstick early on, then chances are you have the Blue label. Later pressings had the new White label.


  • Lipstick has been performed at many gigs, with it only being the last year or so that the song has had a break. I hope it returns soon! It always gets me dancing!


  • So, it has to be said once again... 'Lipstick' - We Salute You!

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