"I Touch Roses" is the second single released by the American synth-pop band Book of Love. The song was included on the band's eponymous debut album Book of Love in 1986. The B-side to the single is "Lost Souls", a remixed version of which also appeared on their debut album.
Although "I Touch Roses" failed to reach the Billboard Hot 100 chart, it did make the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart, where it peaked at no. 8 in 1985.
"I Touch Roses" was written by band member Theodore ("Ted") Ottaviano. After the success of their first single, "Boy", "I Touch Roses" followed a similar trajectory, securing that the band would record a full album for Sire Records. In 2009, Ted Ottaviano revealed, "We didn't know it at the time, but thankfully, with 'I Touch Roses', it was not preordained that Sire was developing us at the time. There was no grand scheme. It was more a la carte. But then people started picking up on 'Roses' and then the album happened."
Remix
In 2001, after having success with new remixes of "Boy", the record company commissioned DJ/producer Markus Schulz to attempt a follow-up by remixing "I Touch Roses" for the new millennium. A promotional 12" single was released in 2001, featuring the Markus Schulz Dark Rose Remix, and an instrumental version of the remix on the flipside, in order to further promote Book of Love's greatest hits album, I Touch Roses: The Best of Book of Love. The new remixes did not chart, and are not included on the album.
Reception
John Leland at Spin said, "it's quietly melodic, and all the elements are crisp and subtle. It deflates MTV bombast into a coyly tranquil tune that stretches gracefully without moaning about it. Instantly forgettable, but subtly compelling while it's spinning."
Track listings
1985 7" Single (Sire Records 7-28428) Side A: "I Touch Roses" - 3:23
Side B: "Lost Souls" - 4:11
1985 12" Maxi-Single (Sire Records 0-20381) Side A: "I Touch Roses" (Long Stemmed Version) - 5:43 Side B: "I Touch Roses" - 3:24 "Lost Souls" - 4:11
1986 7" Remix Single (Sire Records 928 673-7) Side A: "I Touch Roses" (Remix) - 3:19
Side B: "Lost Souls" (Remix) - 6:46
1986 12" Maxi-Single (Sire Records 920 482-0) Side A: "I Touch Roses" (A Daniel Miller Extended Remix) - 5:35 Side B: "I Touch Roses" (7" Remix) - 3:19 "Lost Souls" (Remix) - 6:46
2001 12" Promo (Reprise Records PRO-A-100579) Side A: "I Touch Roses" (Markus Schulz Dark Rose Remix) - 8:45 Side B: "I Touch Roses" (Markus Schulz Dark Rose Instrumental) - 8:45
Personnel
Written by Theodore Ottaviano. All instruments arranged, programmed, and performed by Book of Love.
Susan Ottaviano - Lead vocals
Jade Lee - Percussion
Lauren Roselli - Keyboards
Ted Ottaviano - Keyboards
1985 version credits
Engineered by Steve Peck
Recorded and mixed at Unique Recording, NYC
Mastered with Herb Powers at Frankford Wayne, NYC
Produced by Ivan Ivan
Art Direction: Zoë Brotman/Studio Zed
Cover Art: Herbert Lee
Photo: David La Chapelle
Clothes by: Jeffrey Costello
Hair and Make-up: Jill Sunshine
2001 remixes credits
Produced by Ivan Ivan
Remix and additional production by Markus Schulz.
Charts
Official versions
Official versions of B-side "Lost Souls"