E=MC2 (song)


"E=MC2" is a 1985 single by Big Audio Dynamite, released as the second single from their debut album This Is Big Audio Dynamite. The song was the group's first Top 40 hit on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number 11. Additionally, it peaked at number 37 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart in the United States. The song features prominent dialogue samples from the 1970 film Performance. The song is also played during the opening titles of the French movie Forces spéciales.

History

This song was inspired by films directed by Nicolas Roeg, including Performance, Walkabout, Don't Look Now, The Man Who Fell to Earth, and Insignificance. Its lyrics refer directly to many of them. For example:
Included throughout the song are dialogue samples taken directly from the film Performance.

Music video

The music video for the song features clips from movies made by Nicolas Roeg, coupled with scenes of the band performing in a mine.

Mick Jones and Hard-Fi

"E=MC2" has been performed live by Mick Jones a few times with indie rock band Hard-Fi. One performance of this was at the Brixton Academy on 15 May 2006, a gig at which Billy Bragg and Paul Weller also appeared.
On 18 May 2006, at the end of Hard-Fi's record-equalling five night residency of Brixton Academy they were joined onstage by Mick Jones one song into their three-song encore for their final performance of "E=MC2".

Track listing

;7" CBS / A 6963
  1. "E=MC2" – 4:30
  2. "This Is Big Audio Dynamite" – 3:39
;7" Columbia / 38-06053
  1. "E=MC2" – 4:30
  2. "A Party" – 4:44
;12" CBS / TA 6963
  1. "E=MC2 " – 6:18
  2. "This Is Big Audio Dynamite" – 5:53
;12" Columbia / 44-05909
  1. "E=MC2 " – 5:33
  2. "A Party" – 10:15

    Chart positions