"Living on Video" is a song by Canadian synth-pop band Trans-X[1] written and published in 1982, but not released as a single until May 1983 by Polydor Records, and then remixed in 1985. It became a massive hit worldwide, with the remixed version peaking at No. 9 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 61 on the Billboard Hot 100.[2][3] Trans-X also originally recorded a French-language version under the title "Vivre sur Vidéo". The song has been covered by many artists throughout the years.
"Living on Video" | ||||
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Single by Trans-X | ||||
from the album Living on Video | ||||
Released | May 3, 1983 | |||
Recorded | March 1983 | |||
Genre |
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Length | 5:55 (LP version) | |||
Label | Polydor | |||
Songwriter(s) | Pascal Languirand | |||
Producer(s) |
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Trans-X singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Living on Video" on YouTube | ||||
The song was a big hit in Europe upon its release in 1983 and featured on the band's debut album, Living on Video. However, it only managed to reach No. 77 in the UK, which was in 1984.[4] It was remixed and re-released in 1985 then becoming much more successful, peaking at No. 9 in the UK and also charting in the US, reaching No. 61 on the Billboard Hot 100.[2][3] This version featured on the US version of band's 1986 second album, also called Living on Video.[5] The band re-recorded the song in 1986 and released it as a 12" maxi single, although the fact that it was re-recorded was not mentioned.[6] This featured on Canadian version of their second album.[7]
The music video features the band performing the song in a room with several TVs and a Commodore PET. A Roland SH-101 keytar is also featured, which Languirand uses.[8] It was filmed in Munich, Germany and is a live performance from the TV show Formel Eins [de] in 1984.[9]
7" single
12" maxi
12" maxi
Chart (1983–1984) | Peak position |
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Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[10] | 8 |
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[11] | 13 |
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[12] | 12 |
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[13] | 16 |
Spain (AFYVE)[14] | 3 |
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[15] | 2 |
UK Singles (OCC)[4] | 77 |
West Germany (Official German Charts)[16] | 4 |
Chart (1985–1986) | Peak position |
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Australia (Kent Music Report)[17] | 40 |
Ireland (IRMA)[18] | 17 |
UK Singles (OCC)[2] | 9 |
US Billboard Hot 100[3] | 61 |
Chart (1983) | Position |
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Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[19] | 19 |
West Germany (Official German Charts)[20] | 24 |
It was remixed by Trans-X in 2003 and again 2006, and again by French DJ Pakito who also made it a hit. The song has also been remixed by U96 as Love Sees No Colour (Version 2), Nathalie De Borah, DJ Piccolo, Dr. Lektroluv, Trance XS, Cardenia, Cosmo & Tom, La Bouche, Culture Beat, DJ Interface, Ratty, Lazard, Gary D, Masterboy, Pin-Occhio (as "Tu Tatuta Tuta Ta"), Potatoheadz and by both Tronix Dj and Recorder, Stream (in 2016).[21] It also has been covered as Vivre Sur Video by Vive la Fête. Most recently, it was covered by the band HexRX for the "Das Bunker: Choice of a New Generation" compilation. In 2012, "Robots", a single by Belgian singer Kate Ryan, sampled the song. Also, in 2013, it was used as the main theme in the song "Get Ready Now" by Beatmaker. Arash sampled the song in 2014 under the name SLR. Parts of the song has also been remixed by Logobi GT as Gâter le Koin (Album "La Puissance" in 2010). The electronic music band Frozen Plasma covered the song on their 2015 album Decadenz.
"Living in Cyberspace" | ||||
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Single by 2 Brothers on the 4th Floor | ||||
Released | November 12, 1999 | |||
Recorded | 1999 | |||
Genre | Eurodance | |||
Length | 3:44 | |||
Label | ZYX | |||
Songwriter(s) | Pascal Languirand, Bobby Boer, Dancability | |||
Producer(s) | 2 Brothers on the 4th Floor | |||
2 Brothers on the 4th Floor singles chronology | ||||
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In 1999, 2 Brothers on the 4th Floor released their cover version of the song Living on Video titled Living in Cyberspace. Musically, it resembles the original score, but is adapted to the 1990s. The same applies in part to the text: The original text was indeed adopted, but supplemented by a few lines. Although a studio album never appeared on the cover, it is included in the compilations Summer Hit Mix 2000 and Best Of 2 Brothers On The 4th Floor.
CD-Maxi
Chart (1999) | Peak position |
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Dutch Top 40 | 28[22] |
"Living on Video" | ||||
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Single by Pakito | ||||
from the album Video | ||||
B-side | "Remix" | |||
Released | June 27, 2006 | |||
Recorded | France | |||
Genre | Electronic, house[23] | |||
Length | 3:19 [23] | |||
Label | Pan Music, Universal Licensing Music | |||
Songwriter(s) | Pascal Languirand | |||
Producer(s) | Julien Ranouil | |||
Pakito singles chronology | ||||
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Pakito released their album Video containing the single and another remix. It reached number one in France for four weeks and hit the charts in several other countries. As of July 2014, it was the 85th best-selling single of the 21st century in France, with 328,000 units sold.[24]
Chart (2006) | Peak position |
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Belgian (Flanders) Singles Chart[25] | 25 |
Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart[25] | 3 |
Dutch Singles Chart[25] | 7 |
Eurochart Hot 100 | 3 |
French SNEP Singles Chart[25] | 1 |
Swedish Singles Chart[25] | 43 |
End of year chart (2006) | Position |
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Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart[26] | 6 |
Dutch Top 40[27] | 8 |
French Airplay Chart[28] | 35 |
French Club Chart[28] | 1 |
French TV Music Videos Chart[28] | 32 |
French Singles Chart[29] | 6 |
Country | Certification | Date | Sales certified |
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Belgium[30] | Gold | September 23, 2006 | 20,000 |
France[31] | Platinum | August 30, 2006 | 300,000 |
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