The Race (Yello song)

"The Race"
Single by Yello
from the album Flag
Released	April 11, 1988 (1988-04-11)
Format	7", 12", CD single, Cassette single, CD Video
Genre	Synthpop
Length	3:22 (single version) 8:11 (album version) 13:23 (12" mix)
Writer(s)	Boris Blank, Dieter Meier
Producer	Yello
Yello singles chronology
"Oh Yeah" (1987 version) (1987) "The Race" (1988) "Tied Up" (1988)

"The Race" is the first single from Yello's 1988 album Flag.

Release history

In 1988 the single was released in 7", 12" and CD formats throughout the world, and additionally as a cassette single in other places. The limited edition single contained a remix by Paul Dakeyne. the following year, the track was remixed again by Carl Segal and released as a couple of promotional-only 12" singles, coupled with Emilio Pasquez's versions of "Blazing Saddles".

The song was also used prominently in the 1990 comedy film Nuns on the Run, which starred Robbie Coltrane and Eric Idle.

In 1992, "The Race" was released as a single a second time, to coincide with the greatest hits collection, Essential.

"The Race" appeared in remix form again in 1999 for the Eccentrix Remixes compilation, following the release of their Pocket Universe album.

In 2003, the Tomcraft remixes of "The Race" appeared on the single for "Planet Dada", released from their album, The Eye.

Since its release, "The Race" has been very popular and played among marching bands across the United States.

Finally, in 2007, a brand new version of the track was created by the band in order to promote DHL and Formula 1 racing. Called "The Race II", the digital single was made available free for download over the internet, and released as a promo CD single.

Promotional video

A stock footage infused video was also created for the song, displaying an abstract race. It was directed by Dieter Meier. This video was released on the CD-Video format.

Yello have also been known to sponsor remixes of their work. For example in 1989 RockAmerica created a video remix contest on behalf of Yello named The Race (Video Remix Contest)in which participants had to video mix the hit recording The Race. The competition winners Jeff Consiglio and Vincent Zegna remixed the track and video taking the main award and having the video released through RockAmerica.

Chart performance

The song entered the UK Singles Chart at #31 and by its fifth week, it had peaked at #7. It is their biggest hit in the UK.

Country	Peak position
The Netherlands	20
United Kingdom	7

References

• http://www.discog.info/yello-discog.html
• http://web.mac.com/jonathankamm/YelloArtworkSite/YelloNews/Entries/2008/1/23_The_Race_II.html