View source for Roman P

{{short description|1984 single by Psychic TV}}
{{Refimprove|date=February 2015}}
{{Infobox song
| name       = Roman P
| cover      = PsychicTVRomanPFrontCover.jpg
| alt        =
| type       = single
| artist     = [[Psychic TV]]
| album      =
| released   = 1984
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| length     =
| label      = Sordide Sentimental <small>SS 33 009</small>
| composer   =
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}}

'''"Roman P"''' is a song by [[Psychic TV]] about director [[Roman Polanski]].

"Roman P." was first performed in nascent form during Psychic TV's 1983 gigs. This early version can be found on the live albums ''[[N.Y. Scum]]'' and ''[[Those Who Do Not]]''. Of the many versions of the song, the best known is the "Fireball Mix" (from the [[The Magickal Mystery D Tour EP|''Magickal Mystery D Tour'']] EP), which was featured in a mid-1990s [[Volkswagen]] commercial, to the confusion of many fans.

==Single==
The A-side of the original 7" single release features the "Short Version" of the titular song. The B-side, credited to [[Thee Temple Ov Psychick Youth]] and entitled "Neurology," contains a message from Mr. Sebastian, a spokesman for TOPY, as well as collaged speeches by [[Charles Manson]] and [[Jim Jones]] which run simultaneously in different stereo channels, and references to [[Sharon Tate]].<ref>Wells, Simon (2009) ''Charles Manson: Coming Down Fast'', Hodder, {{ISBN|978-0340977033}}</ref> The B-side is double-grooved, which results in hearing either one of the two tracks when it is played from the start. The B-sides, the Fireball Mix, and the full-length recording of the original studio version of "Roman P" (which Sordide Sentimental previously released on the 1987 [[CD-Video]] ''Listen Today...''), later appeared on the compilation CD ''Godstar: The Singles - Pt. Two''. 

The first edition was limited to 3003 numbered copies. There is a second edition of unknown unnumbered copies.

"Roman P" gave the band their first hit, reaching number 13 on the [[UK Independent Chart]] and staying on the chart for nine weeks.<ref>Lazell, Barry (1997) ''Indie Hits 1980-1989'', Cherry Red Books, {{ISBN|0-95172-069-4}}, p. 179</ref>

==Track listing==
'''Side A'''<br />
Psychic TV (PTV): "Roman P (Short Version)"<br />
'''Side B'''<br />
Thee Temple Ov Psychick Youth (TOPY): "Neurology"<br />
1. TOPY Spokesman ''(spelled "TOPY's Spokeman" on the single sleeve)''<br />
2a. Jim Jones (right)<br />
2b. Charles Manson (left)

==Reissue with "Good Vibrations"==
"Roman P" was re-issued as a double A-side in 1986 with a [[cover version]] of "[[Good Vibrations]]". The single reached number 48 on the [[UK Singles Chart]] and number 65 on the [[Billboard Hot 100]].<ref>Roberts, David (2004) ''Guinness British Hit Singles and Albums - 17th Edition'', Guinness World Records Limited, {{ISBN|978-0851121994}}, p. 440</ref><ref>Rust, Victor (2010) ''The Cliff Richard Recording Catalogue'', {{ISBN|978-0956738400}}, p. 176</ref>

==Covers==
A version of this song was recorded by the [[electro-industrial]] band [[Asmodeus X]] on their album ''Morningstar''.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Psychic TV}}
{{Roman Polanski}}

[[Category:1984 singles]]
[[Category:Psychic TV songs]]
[[Category:Roman Polanski]]
[[Category:1984 songs]]
[[Category:Works about film directors and producers]]


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