Living on Video


"Living on Video" is a song by Canadian synth-pop band Trans-X written and published in 1982, but not released as a single until May 1983 by Polydor Records, and then remixed for re-release in 1985. 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.

Trans-X version

The song is featured on the band's debut album, Living on Video. In its original release in 1983, the song only managed to reach No. 77 in the UK. It was remixed and re-released in 1985, peaking at No. 9 in the UK and also charting in the US, reaching No. 61 on Billboard and No. 77 on the Cashbox charts.
This version featured on the US version of band's 1986 second album, also called Living on Video. 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. This was featured on the Canadian version of their second album. In 1984, the track was re-produced for Metromix by Norman Jester for a 12" club mix adding fresh synths and a powerful 808 beat.

Music video

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. It was filmed in Munich, Germany and is a live performance from the TV show in 1984.

Track listings

1983

; 7" single
  1. "Living on Video" — 4:18
  2. "Digital World" — 3:30

; 12" single
  1. "Living on Video" — 5:55
  2. "Digital World" — 3:30
; 12" maxi
  1. "Living on Video" — 5:55
  2. "Vivre sur Vidéo" — 6:13
  3. "Living on Video" — 6:42

    1985

7" single
  1. "Living on Video" — 5:32
  2. "Digital Word" — 3:30
12" maxi
  1. "Living on Video" — 5:32
  2. "Living on Video" — 6:30
  3. "Digital Word" — 3:30

    1986

12" maxi
  1. "Living on Video" — 6:59
  2. "Living on Video" — 5:00
  3. "Living on Video" — 3:40

    Instruments used

Credit goes to discogs.com
Roland Jupiter-4
Roland Jupiter-6
Roland CSQ-600
Roland TR-808
Korg Vocoder
Korg Polysix
Oberheim OB-8
Oberheim DMX
Oberheim DSX
Elka Synthex
Simmons drums
Mattel drums

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart Peak
position
Australia 40
Ireland 17
US Billboard Hot 10061
US Cashbox Top 10077

Year-end charts

2 Brothers on the 4th Floor version

In 1999, 2 Brothers on the 4th Floor released their version of the song 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 the cover never appeared on a studio album, it is included on the compilations Summer Hit Mix 2000 and Best of 2 Brothers on the 4th Floor.

Track listings

CD-maxi
  1. "Living in Cyberspace" - 3:19
  2. "Living in Cyberspace" - 3:44
  3. "Living in Cyberspace" - 5:45

    Charts

Pakito version

In 2006, Pakito released their debut album Video containing their debut single "Living on Video" 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.

Track listings

; CD maxi
  1. "Living on Video" — 3:20
  2. "Living on Video" — 3:10
  3. "Living on Video" — 5:36
  4. "Living on Video" — 6:34

    Charts and sales

Peak positions

End of year charts

Chart Position
Russia Airplay 200

Certifications

Other remixes and versions

It was remixed by Trans-X in 2003 and again in 2006. The song has also been remixed by U96 as "Love Sees No Colour ", Nathalie De Borah, DJ Piccolo, Dr. Lektroluv, Trance XS, Cardenia, Cosmo & Tom, Culture Beat, DJ Interface, Ratty, Lazard, Gary D, Masterboy, Pin-Occhio, Potatoheadz and by both Tronix Dj and Recorder, Stream. 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". The electronic music group Frozen Plasma covered the song on their 2015 album Decadenz.