That's right
When the planet isn't looking
It gets taken by surprise (That's right)
What on earth is really happening
Is for you to realise
If the planet doesn't mind
It must be alright
And if the planet doesn't care
It must be all square
When you live within the scenery
When you're hidden in the crowd (That's right)
Doesn't matter what it seems to be
Now that anything's allowed
If the planet doesn't mind
It must be alright
And if the planet doesn't care
It must be all square
That's right
And will the planet ever listen
It's a hang up in the sky (That's right)
And what appears to be the problem
Isn't ever recognised
If the planet doesn't mind
It must be alright
And if the planet doesn't care
It must be all square
That's right
You say keep it to yourself now
As it happens let it be (That's right)
Now you step into the next phase
Of what the planet doesn't see
If the planet doesn't mind
It must be alright
And if the planet doesn't care
It must be all square
That's right
OK, the expectation is that normal service will be resumed here. The 7" single has already been on regular rotation (released 6 months before the album) so the inclusion of an extended intro on the album comes as a real bonus. Superb blissed-out synths lay perfect textures ready for the lush refrains of 'Planet' to hit home.
But WTF is this? Have I got the deck on the wrong speed? Has the needle suddenly gone west?
No, they've decided to radically remix the album version. Well, that would be all fine and dandy. If it was a good remix. But this is a total car crash. The lush synth backdrop is gone. The power is gone. It jerks. It simpers. It sounds like the 7" version boiled dry. Dear oh dear.
But wait, we have consolation. After decades of waiting, the Japanese CD version appears - and includes the 7" mix of 'Planet'! At last, we'll be able to hear the "true" version in sonorous CD clarity! Won't we? ;-)
(Graham G)
I love the intro, it's the best thing on the album. I love what follows too.
There are 3 superb songs on this album, and this is one of them. When I compacted the album down to fit on one side of a C90 to play in the car (cos it's over 45 min long) this was the first one on the tape, and I turned the recording levels up right up for the intro, which I think works great (cos you want to hear it loud but don't want to have to get up and turn the volume down when the song starts proper). I actually hadn't heard the 7'' and 12'' mixes until the Japanese CD came out, so this is the definitive version for me. I just love the atmosphere of the track, and that 'spacey' atmosphere isn't there on the other versions, and they have silly little hooks and licks in them.
Brilliant track, best version, I love it so much I want to kiss it.
(Rich E)
As the first single released from the 'new' NM in late 1981, this introduced those who were fortunate enough at the time (ie. not me) to the band's new lineup and sound.
It starts off promising. A very soothing intro, of reversed, dream-like floaty synth. The prominent Warp style of synth percussion then kicks in. Unusually the vocal duties here are shared by Tony and Cliff, and compliment the musik pretty well. There's a few good experimental new sounds in here , such as the 'explosive' effects used in the chorus.
What I like about this is the subtlety of the lyrics. Environmental concern was less mainstream back then, and as a subject for a song could all too easily have come across as 'naff'. But rather than beating the listener over the head with the message, this is more suggestive than obvious, and thankfully doesn't take a 'preachy' or patronising tone.
Without doubt my favourite part is the the intro, but this is an OK track and I prefer the stripped back version to the 'embellished' one which us CD owners can also enjoy. I could name one or two of the other album tracks which I think would have made for a better single release, but with the apparent total lack of publicity surrounding Warp, would it have made any difference to the course of history?
82/100
(Richard M)
I love the intro!
It's one of my favourite tracks on the album (there aren't many) but remember not being too keen upon release.
This is perhaps my favourite version.
(Kevin B)