We Kill the World/Boonoonoonoos


"We Kill the World " / "Boonoonoonoos"" is a double A-side single by German band Boney M., the second single released from their 5th album Boonoonoonoos. The single was a South-African and Spanish #1 hit and peaked at #12 in Germany. In the UK, it fared better than their previous two singles, peaking at #39. Boney M. would use the double A-side format in this period, typically with the A1 being the song intended for radio and A2 being more squarely aimed at discos. The sides would usually be switched on the accompanying 12" single.

We Kill the World (Don't Kill the World)

We Kill the World was the second-only Boney M. single to feature a lead vocal by Marcia Barrett and the first to feature vocals by male dancer Bobby Farrell. Composed by Frank Farian and Italian couple Giorgio & Gisela Sgarbi, the song consisted of an uptempo rock part "We Kill the World" and a ballad part "Don't Kill the World", led by Brian Paul. He was a young boy who together with his friend Brian Sletten eventually sang all of the children's vocals themselves. They also appeared with the group in a number of TV shows when they promoted the song.
The song was released in various edits. The first German single pressing featured a 6:05 edit which included a rare 4th verse. Later edits omitted the 4th verse and the guitar solo in "Don't Kill the World". In Canada and South Africa, a 4:49 edit excluded 3rd & 4th verse. In the UK, the single featured the album edit of "We Kill the World" and a shortened "Don't Kill the World". Boney M. promoted this edit on TV. The original full-length version of 7:51 min. remains unreleased. On the 12" single, the 6:33 album version was released.
"We Kill the World" - Lead Vocal: Marcia Barrett. Spoken Vocal: Bobby Farrell. Backing Vocals: Frank Farian, Liz Mitchell
"Don't Kill the World" - Lead Vocal: Brian Paul. Backing Vocals: Brian Paul, Brian Sletten, Liz Mitchell, Frank Farian, Marcia Barrett, La Mama

Boonoonoonoos

The album version of Boonoonoonoos consisted of three different songs:Boonoonoonoos That's Boonoonoonoos / Train to Skaville I Shall Sing
The single edit was cut from the full-length 12:08 to 5:38, then a few bars were edited out for a 5:26 version, and in Spain an earlier fade resulted in a 5:15 edit. The original single edit was 4:56 according to the label timing. The 12" version was identical to the Limited Edition 2LP version of 11:23 min. despite being credited as 9:26 on the label.

Releases

7" Singles
  • "We Kill the World " - 5:38 / "Boonoonoonoos" - 5:35
  • "We Kill the World " - 6:05 / "Boonoonoonoos" - 5:15
  • "We Kill the World " - 4:49 / "Boonoonoonoos" - 4:37
  • "We Kill the World " - 6:05 / "Boonoonoonoos" - 5:26
12" Singles