Living in a Box (song)

"Living in a Box" is a song by the British Group Living in a Box, released on 23 March 1987 as their debut single from their album Living in a Box. It was the group's biggest hit single along with "Room in Your Heart" (1989), both reaching 5 on the UK Singles Chart. "Living in a Box" became the group's only top-40 hit in the United States, peaking at No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was later covered by Bobby Womack; his version reached No. 70 in the UK.

Background

The song's title came from former member Jon Bennett who lived in a small council flat in Sheffield prompting him to remark "I feel like I'm living in a cardboard box.", referring to the sense of feeling enclosed. The music video features British DJ Tony Blackburn holding and moving the mouth of a cardboard cutout of himself over his face.

Track listings Non-US 7-inch single A. "Living in a Box" – 3:02 B. "Living in a Box" (The Penthouse mix) – 3:10

Non-US 12-inch single A. "Living in a Box" (dance mix) – 6:10 AA. "Living in a Box" (The Penthouse mix) – 5:18

UK 12-inch single (The Bootleg mix) A1. "Living in a Box" (The Bootleg mix) – 6:03 B1. "So the Story Goes" – 3:50 B2. "The Liam McCoy" – 3:01

UK CD single "Living in a Box" (dance mix) – 6:10 "Living in a Box" (The Penthouse mix) – 5:18 "Superheroes" – 3:57

US and Canadian 7-inch single A. "Living in a Box" (single version) – 3:02 AA. "Living in a Box" (edited dance mix) – 3:50

US 12-inch single A1. "Living in a Box" (dance mix) – 6:10 B1. "Living in a Box" (The Penthouse mix) – 5:18 B2. "Living in a Box" (edited dance mix) – 3:50

Charts

Weekly charts +Weekly chart performance for "Living in a Box"Chart (1987)PeakpositionAustralia (Kent Music Report)49Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)7Italy Airplay (Music & Media)12US Billboard Hot 10017US 12-inch Singles Sales (Billboard)16US Dance Club Play (Billboard)6US Hot Black Singles (Billboard)74

Year-end charts +Year-end chart performance for "Living in a Box"Chart (1987)PositionEurope (European Hot 100 Singles)17Norway Spring Period (VG-lista)15Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)12UK Singles (Gallup)54West Germany (Media Control)31

References