1234 (Propaganda album)

1234
Studio album by
ReleasedMay 1990
GenreSynth-pop
Length48:45
LabelVirgin
ProducerIan Stanley, Chris Hughes
Propaganda chronology
Wishful Thinking
(1985)
1234
(1990)
Outside World
(2002)
Singles from 1234
  1. "Heaven Give Me Words"
    Released: 1990
  2. "Your Wildlife"
    Released: 1990
  3. "Only One Word"
    Released: 1990
  4. "How Much Love"
    Released: 1990
  5. "Wound in My Heart"
    Released: 1991
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[1]

1234 is the second studio album by Propaganda. Released in 1990, Michael Mertens was the only remaining member of the group from their previous album A Secret Wish, though original member Susanne Freytag made a guest appearance on two tracks, and the album includes some songs co-written by Ralf Dörper. New group members included Derek Forbes and Brian McGee, both formerly of Simple Minds and whom had both toured with the first incarnation of the band, and vocalist Betsi Miller. The album was produced by Ian Stanley and Chris Hughes, most notable for their work with Tears For Fears in the 1980s. Hughes and Miller would later marry.

Production and reception

The first single from the album, "Heaven Give Me Words", reached the UK Top 40 and also reached No. 22 on the U.S. Adult Contemporary chart. "Your Wildlife" reached No. 32 on the U.S. Dance Music/Club Play Singles chart. Both songs were co-written by Howard Jones.[2][3] Another single, "Only One Word" (which featured Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour), peaked at No. 71 in the UK.

The album itself peaked at No. 46 on the UK Album Chart.

The cover art is a close-up of part of the sculpture Unique Forms of Continuity in Space by Umberto Boccioni.

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Vicious Circle"
  • Michael Mertens
  • Betsi Miller
  • Derek Forbes
  • Ralf Dörper
4:54
2."Heaven Give Me Words"5:11
3."Your Wildlife"
  • Miller
  • Mertens
  • Hughes
  • Stanley
  • Jones
6:31
4."Only One Word"
  • Forbes
  • Mertens
  • Miller
  • Dörper
5:51
5."How Much Love"
  • Mertens
  • Miller
  • Forbes
5:51
6."Vicious" (reprise)
  • Mertens
  • Miller
  • Forbes
  • Dörper
1:36
7."Ministry of Fear"
  • Mertens
  • Forbes
7:18
8."Wound in My Heart"
  • Forbes
  • Mertens
  • Miller
  • Dörper
5:41
9."La Carne, la Morte e il Diavolo[a]"Mertens5:52

Personnel

Propaganda:

Supporting musicians:

Notes

  1. ^ English: "Flesh, Death and the Devil"

References

  1. ^ Henderson, Alex. "1234 Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  2. ^ Heaven Give Me Words. Propaganda. AllMusic
  3. ^ Your Wildlife. Propaganda. AllMusic