Paul Hardcastle - 19 Trailer 25th Anniversary - The Final Chaper OFFICIAL

U.K.-based instrumentalist and producer Paul Hardcastle has decided to re-record his seminal worldwide dance hit 19 to reflect new times.

It was in 1985 that 19 debuted with its spoken-word, stuttering samples of a narrator talking about Vietnam War veterans. As the song makes clear, 19 was the average age of the Vietnam soldier. The song was so well-known that Simon Fuller, who was Hardcastles manager at the time, would go on to name his entertainment company 19 Management, responsible for American Idol.

Hardcastle has repeatedly said in the past that he would never re-record the song. But hes changed his mind, and heres why: This just may open up a can of worms, but someone has to at least stand up and be counted, he says. Twenty-five years ago the idea came about whilst watching a documentary which highlighted the plight of young men and women who fought in Vietnam. In World War 2 the average age of the combat soldier was 26, in Vietnam he was 19. These words really made me stop and think

At the time, it all seemed a long way from home as Vietnam was an American war, but now it seems history is repeating itself. Its now the 25th anniversary since the release of 19, only this time the documentary I am watching is about the British soldiers who would be serving in Afghanistan. I hear the words I looked at my men, the average age was 19; my God, Im taking boys to war. It was unbelievable, almost the same words that gave me the original idea to record 19. This was all sounding too familiar.

I had it in my mind to do a remix for the 25th anniversary of the original track but after hearing that, I felt it would almost be an insult not to mention the British and others, who have lost their lives in recent years whilst doing their duty so I rewrote the song completely.

This time the song is written from the perspective of how I would see things if I was in the position of a young soldier being sent off to war. Whats interesting is the fact that a few years earlier I was approached by the BBC to remake 19 to be included in their TV program Power to the People, which highlighted the fact that there were no British hospitals for soldiers returning from duty.

At the time I declined, but having listened to the soldiers and even high-ranking Army officials from several TV documentaries, it appears that there are many who are unsure that the way we are going about things is the right way. Some even believe this can easily become another Vietnam scenario, which would be a catastrophe for all involved. Im not here to preach or impose my opinion on anyone and, like with the original record, I leave you to make up your own minds

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[newportvtman]

now he needs to rerelease 19 and rainforest since it is their 25th anniversary or is he going to wait till its 50th to rerelease them?

[19Hardcastle]

That's What is happening on 19th April, like it says at the end of the Clip , " also see the text opposite"

[liekmudkip]

I really like the darker and herder sound compared to the original which was one of my all time fav's

[kiaroskuro12]

Brilliant!

[Hania454]

Thanks Paul. I had both '19' and 'Rainforest' on 12" vinyl as a teenager. All the best. Cheers

[leemac2121]

It really makes you think! cant wait to hear the final cut :-)

[The24091968]

Paul six a large... and with this video we have a confirmation...

[Oldschoolrules1]

This is Brilliant, it Makes a great point without trying to preach

I'm really looking forward to hearing the final version,

Well done Paul

[soosiedodd]

Awesome Paul! ;)