Squares and Triangles
1980 single by Thompson Twins
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"Squares And Triangles" is the debut single released by Thompson Twins. It was written when the band was a four-piece consisting of Tom Bailey (vocals and bass guitar), Pete Dodd (guitar), John Roog (guitar), and Chris Bell (drums).
"Weather Station" (1982 re-release)
"Modern Plumbing" (1982 re-release)
26 February 1982 (re-release)
| "Squares And Triangles" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Thompson Twins | ||||
| B-side | "Could Be Her...Could Be You" "Weather Station" (1982 re-release) "Modern Plumbing" (1982 re-release) | |||
| Released | 28th April 1980 26 February 1982 (re-release) | |||
| Recorded | 1979 | |||
| Genre | Post-punk[1] | |||
| Length | 3:18 | |||
| Label | Dirty Discs; T Records | |||
| Songwriters | Pete Dodd; Thompson Twins | |||
| Producers | Alan O'Duffy; Alex Burak: Thompson Twins | |||
| Thompson Twins singles chronology | ||||
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| Alternative cover | ||||
 Back cover | ||||
| Alternative cover | ||||
 Neon green sleeve | ||||
| Alternative cover | ||||
 Mint green sleeve | ||||
| Alternative cover | ||||
 Pale green sleeve | ||||
| Alternative cover | ||||
 Pink sleeve | ||||
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 Blue sleeve | ||||
| Alternative cover | ||||
 Peach sleeve | ||||
| Alternative cover | ||||
 White sleeve | ||||
| Alternative cover | ||||
 Black and white 1982 re-release | ||||
| Alternative cover | ||||
 Black and white 1982 re-release back cover | ||||
The single was originally released in a variety of coloured card sleeves, all with red printing. Eight sleeve colour variations are known to exist: Blue, Neon Green, Mint Green, Pale Green, Peach, Pink, White and Yellow. Production of the single was entirely self-financed by the band and the manufacturer offered to print the sleeves on a variety of remaining card stock to help reduce costs. These colour variations were therefore a pragmatic cost-saving measure rather than a planned aesthetic choice.
In 1982, the single was re-released in a black/white sleeve as a free EP along with the album Set featuring "Weather Station", a track composed by Tom Bailey for an independent film called 'The Onlooker' (1982) and "Modern Plumbing". "Modern Plumbing" was a song recorded in late 1979 by The Blankets, a project including Tom Bailey, John Hade, and Traci Newton-Ingham. The track was recorded for a total cost of 60 pence and was used as the intro tape to the live shows for the first year or two of performing in London. This information is written on the reverse of the re-released 7" version included with some copies of Thompson Twins second album (Set).
The front cover artwork was drawn by hand by vocalist Tom Bailey.
Squares And Triangles was recognised as an important moment in the UK post-punk scene via inclusion on the 2018 Cherry Red Records 5CD compilation 'To The Outside Of Everything - A Story Of Post Punk 1977-1981'.
Track listing
- 7" single
- A. "Squares and Triangles" – 3:24
- B. "Could Be Her, Could Be You" – 3:36
- 7" single (re-release 1982 as free single with Set)
- A. "Squares and Triangles" – 3:24
- B1. "Weather Station" (Tom Bailey) – 1:09
- B2. "Modern Plumbing" (The Blankets) – 5:48
Personnel
- Recorded and Produced at Point Studios
- Produced by Alan O'Duffy, Alex Burak, and Thompson Twins
- Lyrics by Pete Dodd
- Vocals and bass guitar by Tom Bailey
- Guitars by Pete Dodd and John Roog
- Drums by Chris Bell
- Music by Thompson Twins