"The Great Commandment" is the debut single from German synthpop band Camouflage, taken from their debut album Voices & Images. The single had originally been recorded three years prior and was re-recorded in 1987,[citation needed] giving Camouflage their only number one dance hit. "The Great Commandment" stayed at the top spot for three non-consecutive weeks.[1] The single became popular on independent stations and crossed over to the mainstream American pop charts, peaking at number fifty-nine in 1988. In their native Germany, "The Great Commandment" went to number fourteen, and reached the top ten in over twenty countries.
Music video
The music video depicts the band members amongst a crowd of children, who appear to be protesting against a spokesperson of some kind. One of the children discovers a control panel underneath the stage, and proves that the spokesperson is in fact a robot controlled by the mechanism.
Track listings
7" single (Germany, 1987)
No.
Title
Length
1.
"The Great Commandment (7" Remix)"
3:15
2.
"Pompeji"
3:28
Total length:
6:43
12" single (Germany, 1987)/CD single (Germany, 1988)
No.
Title
Length
1.
"The Great Commandment (Extended Dance Mix)"
5:58
2.
"The Great Commandment (Extended Radio Mix)"
5:37
3.
"Pompeji (Extended Version)"
5:23
Total length:
16:18
12" single (US, 1988)
No.
Title
Length
1.
"The Great Commandment (12" Version)"
6:10
2.
"The Great Commandment (Dub Mix)"
7:52
3.
"The Great Commandment (Extended Dance Mix)"
5:58
4.
"Pompeji (Extended Version)"
5:23
Total length:
24:43
12" single (UK, 1988)
No.
Title
Length
1.
"The Great Commandment (Justin Strauss Remix)"
7:22
2.
"The Great Commandment (Acid Commandment Vocal)"
6:32
3.
"The Great Commandment (Great Commandment Luongo Mix 12")"
In 2001, Camouflage re-recorded their debut single "The Great Commandment" and released it that year as a comeback attempt at their label's suggestion. Vocals were also re-recorded. The single was produced by London trio "Toy" and drums were provided by Christian Eigner, former tourmate of Depeche Mode. It reached #85 on the charts.
Track listing
CD single
No.
Title
Length
1.
"The Great Commandment 2.0 (Radio Edit)"
3:55
2.
"The Great Commandment 2.0 (Very. Mix)"
5:23
3.
"The Great Commandment 2.0 (Johannes Heil Remix)"
5:09
4.
"The Great Commandment 2.0 (Instrumental)"
5:28
Total length:
19:15
12" single
No.
Title
Length
1.
"The Great Commandment 2.0 (Johannes Heil Remix)"
5:08
2.
"The Great Commandment 2.0 (Toy Mix)"
5:26
3.
"The Great Commandment 2.0 (Very Remix)"
4:53
Total length:
15:37
References
^Whitburn, Joel (2004). Hot Dance/Disco: 1974-2003. Record Research. p. 49.
