A Sting in the Tale: Scorpions Plan New Compilation
The relentless rock of German band Scorpions made them radio staples in the ’80s and ’90s and a touring act to this day. This fall, to commemorate their 60th anniversary as a band, they’ll release a multi-format compilation bringing together songs from nearly every one of their studio and live albums.
From the First Sting, available September 26, will be available as a 180-gram 2LP or 1CD set offering 16 classic singles including “Rock You Like a Hurricane” and “Wind of Change,” or a 2CD set (alternately available with a deluxe packaged version of the 2LP) that’ll offer 31 tracks. All formats will feature two previously unreleased live versions of early track “This is My Song” (recorded for a European show called Rock & Pop in 1973) and power ballad “Still Loving You” (recorded for French program Taratata with British violinist Vanessa Mae). The 2CD and deluxe sets are primarily marketed outside of America, with the 2LP and 1CD set focused on U.S. audiences. (The vinyl will nonetheless be available worldwide on standard black or gold pressings.)
Formed in Hanover, West Germany in 1965, Scorpions’ early works were inspired by a wave of European heavy metal – 1972 debut Lonesome Crow paired guitarist Rudolf Schenker with his younger brother Michael, before the latter joined UFO – but soon came to represent a more polished, melodic rock style that was very popular in the ’80s. From 1978 to 1992, the band’s line-up was unchanged, featuring guitarists Schenker and Matthias Jabs, vocalist Klaus Meine, bassist Francis Buchholz and drummer Herman Rarebell. (Schenker, Jabs and Meine are still members of the band.) Scorpions started enjoying international success with the release of 1982’s Blackout and 1984’s Love At First Sting, the latter of which featured the classic rock staple “Rock You Like a Hurricane.” The band’s biggest hit, in fact, is the ballad “Wind of Change,” a 1990 reflection on the end of the Cold War inspired by a tour of the Soviet Union. (A Top 5 hit in America, it’s been the subject of speculation that the song was somehow masterminded by the CIA to facilitate capitalist feelings as the Soviet Union collapsed.)
Scorpions released their most recent album, Rock Believer, in 2022. Next month, they’ll kick off a 60th anniversary tour with a run of dates at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas. From the First Sting will strike about a month later, and you can get your copies in various formats at the links below. (As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.)
From the First Sting (BMG, 2025)
2CD: Amazon U.K.
2LP/2CD: Amazon U.K.
Black 2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Gold 2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon Canada
2LP/1CD track list
- In Search of the Peace of Mind
- This is My Song (Live at Rock & Pop – 11/9/1973) *
- Speedy’s Coming
- In Trance
- Pictured Life
- The Sails of Charon
- Top of the Bill (Live @ Nakano Sun Plaza, Tokyo, Japan – 4/24 & 4/27/1978)
- Always Somewhere
- The Zoo
- No One Like You
- Rock You Like a Hurricane
- Big City Nights
- Wind of Change
- Still Loving You (feat. Vanessa Mae – Live at Taratata – 4/28/1996) *
- Humanity
- Rock Believer
Track 1 from Lonesome Crow (Brain, 1972)
Track 3 from Fly to the Rainbow (RCA, 1973)
Track 4 from In Trance (RCA, 1975)
Track 5 from Virgin Killer (RCA, 1976)
Track 6 from Taken by Force (RCA, 1977)
Track 7 from Tokyo Tapes (RCA, 1978)
Track 8 from Lovedrive (Harvest, 1979)
Track 9 from Animal Magnetism (Harvest, 1980)
Track 10 from Blackout (Harvest, 1982)
Tracks 11-12 from Love At First Sting (Harvest, 1984)
Track 13 from Crazy World (Mercury, 1990)
Track 15 from Humanity: Hour I (RCA, 2007)
Track 16 from Rock Believer (Vertigo, 2022)
2CD track list
Disc 1
- In Search of the Peace of Mind
- This is My Song (Live at Rock & Pop – 11/9/1973) *
- Speedy’s Coming
- In Trance
- Pictured Life
- The Sails of Charon
- Top of the Bill (Live)
- Holiday
- Always Somewhere
- Lady Starlight
- The Zoo
- No One Like You
- When the Smoke is Going Down
- Still Loving You
- Rock You Like a Hurricane
- Big City Nights
Disc 2
- Rock You Like a Hurricane (Live – 1984/1985)
- Believe in Love
- Send Me An Angel
- Wind of Change
- Under the Same Sun
- Still Loving You (feat. Vanessa Mae – Live at Taratata – 4/28/1996) *
- Mind Like a Tree
- You & I
- Wind of Change (Moment of Glory)
- Always Somewhere
- Maybe I Maybe You
- Humanity
- The Best is Yet to Come
- House of Cards
- Rock Believer
Disc 1, Track 13 from Blackout (Harvest, 1982)
Disc 1, Track 14 from Love At First Sting (Harvest, 1984)
Disc 2, Track 1 from World Wide Live (Harvest, 1985)
Disc 2, Track 2 from Savage Amusement (Harvest, 1988)
Disc 2, Track 3 from Crazy World (Mercury, 1990)
Disc 2, Track 5 from Face the Heat (Mercury, 1993)
Disc 2, Track 7 from Eye II Eye (EastWest, 1999)
Disc 2, Track 8 from Pure Instinct (EastWest, 1996)
Disc 2, Track 9 from Moment of Glory (EMI Classics, 2000)
Disc 2, Track 10 from Acoustica (EastWest, 2001)
Disc 2, Track 11 from Unbreakable (Ariola, 2004)
Disc 2, Track 13 from Sting in the Tail (Columbia Seven One, 2010)
Disc 2, Track 14 from Return to Forever (RCA, 2015)
You Might Also Like
1 thought on “A Sting in the Tale: Scorpions Plan New Compilation”
Leave a Comment
If this is anything like the reissues of their back catalogue then you’d better be prepared for sonic abomination. One of the most appalling remastering jobs i’ve ever heard.