Robert Miles – Children

From the moment I heard those first few bass notes of the intro I loved this track, and was lucky enough to get an early copy, I played it to my friends, they weren't that impressed, I played it out great reaction & I think that night it was on Pete Tongs show for the first time so may have helped. Yes it became a huge commercial track, and we have all heard it so many times, but so what its still a great tune. From that deep bassline to the driving beats, that piano line and the strings all masterfully blended to create a huge track and a trance classic.

Seeing as Robert Miles died recently - I'd thought I'd review this wonderful track from back in the day. I'm not really much a fan of Trance (more of a Breakbeats, Funk and House person) but I have to admit this is a great tune with a very iconic melody with some slick production to boot. Always remember this tune being used a lot on adverts back in the day and the track has aged incredibly well for a track from 1995.

RIP Robert Miles - Let your music live on forever!

Oakenfold opened up with this at a club in Birmingham in 1995 that was aired on Radio 1's essential mix. The mix he played was a mash up of the vocal and guitar versions and is awesome.......the intro of the vocal version but with the guitar rift in the background. I think it might be something that he did in the studio for himself as I have never hear anyone else play it.......anyone have any ideas about this track?

This is probably the best pressed 12" I have in my entire collection.

Before this track became overplayed and chopped into a cheap nasty radio edit this was a hugely respected and sought after track. When this was released on Platipus, DJ's were literally clambering over each other at the counter to get hold of a copy in my local record store. I'm lucky enough to have grabbed one of those myself at that time and won't be parting with it anytime soon. Much ridiculed after it's release and subsequent fame and overplaying but a track that actually has aged very well after all this time.

This release sold around 3,000 copies. Platipus signed the tune after hearing it being played on acetate in a club in Florida.

A True classic for sure!

I dont think there has been a piece of trance music that incorporates a piano and an offbeat bassline to such wonderfull effect.

Normally a track like this which is played so often, you can easily get sick of but Children is one of those tunes I will never tire of.

A good sign of things to come from a label that still went on to release some of the best underground trance.

There was a period of a few months between late summer 1995 and early 1996 when we Platipus fans were all raving about this track. It was so obvious from the very first listen that it would be picked up by a major label and become a huge hit. During these months I don't remember anybody saying a bad word for this record.

I used to delight in playing this loudly months before it became a hit, just to give my neighbours a taste of what was to come.

Years on, this track still proves to be part of dance music heritage, and still stops you dead in your tracks.

"If all the children of the world held each others hands, they'll be giving off such a strength that all the walls of hate, war, and racism. Children know, understand, and believe, that there will be more, love and peace, for eternity, love and peace, for everybody."

And that's just the beginning. The Vocal Mix (possibly the same as the Message Mix found on other labels) features a lot of "spoken word" segments, not sung but simply stated in an awkward way by an unknown lady. Toss in a diva belting out "Love and peace, love and peace, for everybody" and a staccato vocal snippet, and you have the additional bits. The spoken word vocals don't really blend with the song, and the other vocals are just cheesy - dance divas are nothing new. Plus, Robert Miles was a bit late on the holding hands to change the world - Hands Across America was in 1986, and the U.S.A. is still rife with hunger and homelessness. Maybe kids have some innate "Care Bear Stare" ability?

The Remix and Guitar Mix are better, if nothing else, for the lack of vocals.