While commonly known as 'Ball of Confusion', this Temptations single's full name is 'Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today').
First released in 1970, the song addresses many issues facing the world at it's time of release, including the Vietnam War, corrupt politicians, and segregation, without taking a solid stance or viewpoint. When it came time for Love & Rockets to record the song, they made a slight change to the lyrics so they could add the word 'Reaganomics', a swipe at the US government of the time when their version came out.
Love & Rockets released this as their first single in 1985, though it did not appear on the initial UK LP release of their first album, 'Seventh Dream of Teenage Heaven', though it did appear on the Canadian LP and US CD releases.
It was an interesting choice for the band, given their sound and 'look', which was more gothic than Motown, you'd have to agree.
Comments