"Blue Fear" is an instrumental composition by Dutch DJ and producer Armin. It was initially released on 13 October 1997 as 12" vinyl in the Netherlands by Cyber Records. It is the first track from Armin van Buuren which reached a significant success. The single was rereleased on 16 August 2004 by Nebula as the fifth and final single from Armin's first studio album, 76.
Background and release At the time of the original release of "Blue Fear", van Buuren was still living in Leiden and was studying law at Leiden University. Dancing Astronaut described the track as a Eurotrance production and noted that it was made with an Akai S-2800 sampler, with delay as the only effect used.
"Blue Fear" was first issued in the Netherlands on Cyber Records and was later released in the United Kingdom through Xtravaganza Recordings. The track gave van Buuren one of his earliest international chart appearances when it reached number 45 on the UK Singles Chart in February 1998.
The single was reissued in 2004 by Nebula as "Blue Fear 2004", following the release of van Buuren's debut studio album 76. The reissue charted at number 52 on the UK Singles Chart, number 3 on the UK Dance Singles Chart and number 8 on the UK Independent Singles Chart.
In 2020, Eelke Kleijn released two remixes of the track, titled the Day Mix and Night Mix, through Armind.
Music video A music video was realised by Ciro Ayala with the actress Calina Chan for the track 12 years after its official release. It was published on 23 November 2009 by Armada Music's Youtube channel.
Track listing Netherlands - 12" - Cyber "Blue Fear" – 7:58 "X Marks the Spot" – 7:37 "Archeae From Space" - 8:21
UK - CD - Xtravaganza "Blue Fear" (Radio Edit) – 3:42 "Blue Fear" (Extended Version) – 8:06 "X Marks the Spot" – 7:37 "Archeae From Space" – 8:27
UK - 12" - Xtravaganza "Blue Fear" (Extended Version) – 7:58 "X Marks the Spot" – 7:37 "Archeae From Space" – 8:21
Trouser Enthusiasts Mixes - UK - CD - Xtravaganza "Blue Fear" (Trouser Enthusiasts Edit) – 3:59 "Blue Fear" (Trouser Enthusiasts E.B.E. Mix) – 9:01 "Blue Fear" (Trouser Enthusiasts E.B.E. Instrumental) – 9:02 "Blue Fear" (Original Extended Version) – 8:06
Trouser Enthusiasts Mix - UK - 12" - Xtravaganza "Blue Fear" (Trouser Enthusiasts E.B.E. Mix) – 8:59 "Blue Fear" (Original Extended Version) – 7:57
Germany - 12" - Bionic Beat "Blue Fear" – 7:58 "Blue Fear" (Chuck Mellow Remix) – 7:05 "X Marks the Spot" – 7:37
"Blue Fear 2004" - UK - CD & Digital download - Nebula "Blue Fear" (Original 2003 Edit) – 2:39 "Blue Fear" (Original 2003 Mix) – 9:30 "Blue Fear" (Solid Globe 2004 Remix) – 7:33 "Blue Fear" (Agnelli & Nelson 2004 Remix) – 9:52 "Blue Fear" (Scott Mac New Fear 2004 Remix) – 8:56
"Blue Fear 2004" - UK - 12" - Nebula "Blue Fear" (Original 2003 Mix) – 9:30 "Blue Fear" (Solid Globe 2004 Remix) – 7:33
"Blue Fear 2004" (Remixes) - UK - 12" - Nebula "Blue Fear" (Agnelli & Nelson 2004 Remix) – 9:52 "Blue Fear" (Scott Mac New Fear 2004 Remix) – 8:56
2006 Re-issue - Netherlands - Digital download - Armada digital "Blue Fear 2003" – 7:33 "Blue Fear" (Agnelli & Nelson Remix) – 9:56 "Blue Fear" (Solid Globe Remix) – 7:37 "Blue Fear" (Scott Mac Remix) – 8:56
Eelke Kleijn Mixes - Netherlands - Digital download - Armind "Blue Fear" (Eelke Kleijn Extended Day Mix) – 7:33 "Blue Fear" (Eelke Kleijn Extended Night Mix) – 7:57
Charts
Blue Fear
Chart (1998) Peakposition
Blue Fear 2004
Chart (2004) Peakposition
Release history
Year Title Region Format Label Catalogue number Ref. 1997 "Blue Fear" Netherlands 12-inch vinyl Cyber Records CYBER015 1997 "Blue Fear" United Kingdom CD, 12-inch vinyl Xtravaganza Recordings 0091305EXT / 0091300EXT 1997 "Blue Fear" United Kingdom CD, 12-inch vinyl Xtravaganza Recordings 0091485EXT / 0091480EXT 2004 "Blue Fear 2004" United Kingdom CD, 12-inch vinyl, digital download Nebula NEBCD061 / NEBT061 / NEBTX061 2006 "Blue Fear" Netherlands Digital download Armada Digital ARDI211 2020 "Blue Fear" Worldwide Digital download, streaming Armind ARMD020R
References