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Paul Haig - Ghost Rider (Post-Punk, Alan Vega - Martin Rev Cover)

4,419 views · Published 14 April 2011 · 3:08 · Indexed 21 October 2026

Channel: CoverVerse · 2011 · Music

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From '' Big Blue World ''
Label: Les Disques Du Crépuscule – TWI 230
Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM
Country: Belgium
Released: Jun 1984

Tracklist
A Big Blue World
B Ghost Rider
Featuring – David McClymont, Malcolm Ross, Toby Philips

Producer – Alan Rankine, Paul Haig

Recorded At – Fallout Shelter

© 2008 LTM/RoL
℗ 2008 LTM Recordings

© 2014 Les Disques du Crepuscule


🎵 [SONG INFO]

"Ghost Rider" is the opening track on the 1977 self-titled debut album by the New York duo S*icide (Alan Vega and Martin Rev). It was released on December 28, 1977.

It is a landmark of the "protopunk" and "synth-punk" genres.
Nick Hornby (author of High Fidelity) famously called "Ghost Rider" a "sturdy, proto-punk anthem."

Built on a minimalist, distorted organ riff and a primitive drum machine pulse.

The song depicts the Marvel Comics character Johnny Blaze (Ghost Rider) as a "motorcycle hero" but shifts into a sociopolitical critique with the famous line: "America, America is killin' its youth."

Alan Vega was a huge comic book fan. He famously stated the band's name came from a Ghost Rider issue titled "Satan S*icide"—though historical records suggest he may have been inspired by a 1950s Western version or retroactively linked it to the 1970s Marvel character.

Notable Cover Versions

Sods (Sort Sol) [1979]
Found on the album Minutes to Go. This is the earliest known punk cover of the song.

Alan Vega [1981]
The lead singer of S*icide released this solo re-recording on his album Collision Drive.

Soft Cell [1983]
A live electronic performance featuring J.G. Thirlwell (Clint Ruin) on guest vocals.

The Sisters of Mercy [1983–85]
A live staple usually performed as a high-energy medley with "Sister Ray" or "Louie Louie."

Henry Rollins [1987]
A fast, aggressive punk version from his solo debut album Hot Animal Machine.

R.E.M. [1988]
A raw, fuzzy, garage-rock version released as the B-side to their hit "Orange Crush."

The Gories [1990]
A gritty, blues-influenced garage punk version from the album I Know You Fine, But How You Doin'.

Rollins Band [1994]
The version featured on The Crow soundtrack. This is the most commercially successful cover.

The Young Gods [2008]
An industrial rock version featured on their album Knock on Wood.

The Horrors [2008]
Live/Radio: Often played during their Primary Colours era sessions.

M.I.A. [2010]
Not a full cover, but her single "Born Free" is built entirely on a sample of the original S*icide synth riff.

Gavin Friday & Dave Ball [2010]
Release: Alan Vega 70th Birthday Limited Edition. A dark, electronic tribute.

Anna Calvi [2014]
A dramatic, guitar-heavy atmospheric version from her Strange Weather EP.

Nouvelle Vague [2016]
A stylized "bossa nova" lounge-style cover.

Big Business [2018]
The American two piece Rock band recorded the song for their Tour E.P. 4

The Novembers [2019]
A contemporary take by the Japanese alternative rock band.

Andy McCoy [2022] 
Plays a loose version of the song live on tour as an interlude to his version of Hanoi Rocks song "Taxi Driver". According to YouTuber Joe Smith, the performance of the song is "Andy's comment on US school shootings".

Tempers [2024]
Digital Release: A brand new darkwave/minimal synth version.


🎤 [LYRICS]

Ghostrider, motorcycle hero.
Bebebebebebebe he's lookin so cute.
Sneakin round round round in a blue jumpsuit.

Ghostrider motorcycle hero.
Bebebebebebebe he's a-blazin away.
Packing stars stars stars in the universe.

Ghostrider motorcycle hero.
Bebebebebebebe he's a-screaming the truth.
America, America is killing its youth.

Ghostrider motorcycle hero.
Bebebebebebebe he's a-blazin away.
Packing stars stars stars in the universe.

Ghostrider motorcycle hero.
Bebebebebebebe he's a-screaming the truth.
America, America is fighting its youth.

Ghostrider motorcycle hero.
Ghostrider motorcycle hero.
Ghostrider motorcycle hero.

Ghostrider
Ghostrider
Ghostrider
Ghostrider
Ghostrider
Ghostrider.


🔗 [LINKS]

Available on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/track/13qqCcuOq8nTQlrEXxb7sT
Apple Music:
https://music.apple.com/us/song/ghost-rider/845793877
https://music.apple.com/us/song/ghost-rider/288547682
Amazon Music:
https://www.amazon.com/music/player/albums/B00JGCGB2O?trackAsin=B00JGCGGY2
https://www.amazon.com/music/player/albums/B001ESBJ5C?trackAsin=B001ESIHDY
and Deezer:
https://www.deezer.com/en/track/11004121

#paulhaig 
#ghostrider  
#postpunk 
#alanvega  
#martinrev

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