Contenders (song)


"Contenders" is a song by the British new wave and synth-pop band Heaven 17, released in 1986 as the first single from their fourth studio album Pleasure One. It was written and produced by Glenn Gregory, Ian Craig Marsh and Martyn Ware. The song reached No. 80 in the UK and spent four weeks on the chart. It also reached No. 6 on the U.S. Billboard Dance/Club Play Singles Chart. A music video was filmed to promote the single.

Critical reception

Upon release, Simon Reynolds of Melody Maker commented: "This one practically hurls itself off the ropes at you, solid funk brawn but light on its feet, bobbing and weaving, jabbing and pummeling and always on the attack, but, somehow, failing to deliver that hook to floor you completely. The killer blow never comes." Aaron Badgley of AllMusic stated: ""Some of the Pleasure One songs are among their best, including the wonderful "Trouble" and the opening track, "Contenders.""

Formats

;7" single
  1. "Contenders" - 4:28
  2. "Excerpts From "Diary of a Contender" - 5:24
;12" single
  1. "Contenders " - 6:23
  2. "Excerpts From 'Diary of a Contender'" - 5:24
  3. "Contenders " - 5:19
;12" single
  1. "Contenders " - 7:45
  2. "Contenders " - 3:10
  3. "Contenders " - 5:12
  4. "Contenders " - 6:39
;12" single -
  1. "Contenders " - 6:22
  2. "Excerpts From 'Diary of a Contender'" - 5:24
  3. "Penthouse & Pavement" - 6:33
  4. "Megamix " - 6:36

    Chart performance

Personnel

;Heaven 17
;Additional personnel