Tracklist
| Killing An Arab | 2:21 | ||
| 10.15 Saturday Night | 3:37 |
Credits (7)
Bill Smith (19)Design [Uncredited]
Chris ParryDesign [Uncredited]
TB (3)Plated By-
Chris ParryProducer [Uncredited]
Tolhurst*Written-By
Dempsey*Written-By
Notes
First single from The Cure released in December 1978 on Small Wonder Records.
Two months later, it was reissued in UK on Fiction Records, the new label created by Chris Parry, and in Ireland on Polydor.
The lyrics of "Killing An Arab" are inspired by a scene from the book "L'Etranger" (The Stranger) by Albert Camus.
Emblinded by the desert light, Meursault takes a flask for a gun and kills mistakenly a Bedouin.
The Cure always stood against any racist consideration:
In 1979, the book "The Stranger" was sent to media by Polydor during the promo campaign.
In 1986, a sticker on North-American releases says:
"The song Killing An Arab has absolutely no racist overtones whatsover.
It is a song wich decries the existence of all prejudice and consequent violence.
The Cure condemn its use in furthering anti-Arab feeling."
The song was renamed as "Kissing An Arab" through the summer festivals 2005.
In 2011, it became "Killing Another" on their Bestival live LP.
Two months later, it was reissued in UK on Fiction Records, the new label created by Chris Parry, and in Ireland on Polydor.
The lyrics of "Killing An Arab" are inspired by a scene from the book "L'Etranger" (The Stranger) by Albert Camus.
Emblinded by the desert light, Meursault takes a flask for a gun and kills mistakenly a Bedouin.
The Cure always stood against any racist consideration:
In 1979, the book "The Stranger" was sent to media by Polydor during the promo campaign.
In 1986, a sticker on North-American releases says:
"The song Killing An Arab has absolutely no racist overtones whatsover.
It is a song wich decries the existence of all prejudice and consequent violence.
The Cure condemn its use in furthering anti-Arab feeling."
The song was renamed as "Kissing An Arab" through the summer festivals 2005.
In 2011, it became "Killing Another" on their Bestival live LP.
Versions
Image Gallery
Filter by
7 versions
| Image | , | – | In Your Collection, Wantlist, or Inventory |
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Version Details | Data Quality | |||
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Killing An Arab
7", 45 RPM, Single, Angled Thumbcut
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Small Wonder Records – SMALL 11 | UK | 1978 | UK — 1978 |
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Killing An Arab
7", 45 RPM, Single, Rounded Thumbcut
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Small Wonder Records – SMALL 11 | UK | 1978 | UK — 1978 | ||||
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Killing An Arab
7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Silver Injection Labels
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Fiction Records – 2059 098 | UK | 1979 | UK — 1979 |
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Killing An Arab
7", 45 RPM, Single
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Fiction Records – FICS 001 | Ireland | 1979 | Ireland — 1979 |
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Killing An Arab
7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Blue Injection Labels
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Fiction Records – 2059 098 | UK | 1979 | UK — 1979 | ||||
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Killing An Arab
7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Silver Injection Labels
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Fiction Records – 2059 098 | UK | 1979 | UK — 1979 |
New Submission
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Killing An Arab
7", 45 RPM, Single, Unofficial Release
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Small Wonder Records (2) – SMALL 11 | UK | UK |
New Submission
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Recommendations
Reviews
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Edited 4 months agoThis was pressed, in Ireland. About half of the records released by Small Wonder, were.
The first press of Feeding of the 5000....and the white vinyl version of Bela Lugosi's Dead, were pressed in the Dublin plant :Carlton Productions -
referencing Killing An Arab (7", 45 RPM, Single) 2059 098
I have a spare copy in fantastic condition if anyone has something nice to trade?
Please send me a message if interested?
Cheers Jimmy -
Bought this back in the day and at that time, this had a unique sound, despite plaidzebra comments below.
John Peel (RIP) played this on a number of occasions and brought a new audience to the Cure, particularly those living outside of London.
It is a snapshot of a developing band and the longevity of the Cure has proven what a great band they were (and still are)!
IMO it is one of the best debut singles of 1978 & beyond, I'm sure many new bands these days wish they could release such a strong first single! -
In my mind, the Cure's debut single is the worst record they ever made. From the silly faux Middle Eastern melody to the inane lyrics inspired by the Camus novel, "Killing an Arab" has it all.
Fortunately, I made it to the b-side and discovered that this band was capable of more and better than "Killing an Arab."
Given the tunes they already had in their repertoire at the time, it's baffling why they reached for this one for their very first record.
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I have this version with a rounded thumbcut. Seems to have never been sold on discogs. Does it make this version rarer and more valuable than the version with an angled thumbcut?
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My copy of this came with an original Small Wonder sleeve instead of the Fiction sleeve. Anyone else have something like this? I'm wondering if they tried to use up the Small Wonder sleeves before switching to the Fiction sleeves.
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Images on this version show an angled thumb-cut at rear of sleeve. My copy has a curved thumb-cut. Anyone else? -
Cure collectors take note, a version of Killing An Arab with a slightly different vocal mix
appears only on the Polydor Records Punk & New Wave Compilation 20 of Another Kind Volume 1 LP -
There were 15.000 of the Small wonder pressing in December 1978 which sold out quickly from good reviews in the UK music press and John Peel's patronage. Then 15.000 of the Fiction pressing, in February 1979. Not sure how many of the Fiction copies came in picture sleeves as there are many copies which come up for sale without one.
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All versions say "15000 copies pressed". Is that implying 15000 in total across all the issues? Or 15000 of each? Assuming the former does anyone know how many copies were pressed on Small Wonder?
Master Release
Edit Master Release
Recently Edited
Recently Edited
For sale on Discogs
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62 copies from $33.78