The Cure – Killing An Arab

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Label:	Small Wonder Records – small eleven, Small Wonder Records – SMALL 11
Format:	Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single, Angled Thumbcut
Country:	UK
Released:	Dec 21, 1978
Genre:	Rock
Style:	New Wave, Post-Punk

Tracklist

A		Killing An Arab	2:21
B		10.15 Saturday Night	3:37

Companies, etc.

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – 18 Age Record Co. Ltd.
Published By – APB Music Co. Ltd.
Mastered At – Strawberry Mastering

Credits

Design [Uncredited] – Bill Smith (19), Chris Parry
Plated By – TB (3)
Producer [Uncredited] – Chris Parry
Written-By – Tolhurst*, Dempsey*, Smith*

Notes

First single from The Cure
5,000 copies pressed of this original Small Wonder edition
Monochrome paper labels, picture on side A.
Small dripping tap picture on back sleeve.
No catalog number on the sleeve.
Durations not precise.

[sleeve]
℗ 1978 18 Age Ltd
Small Wonder Records, 162 Hoe St, Walthamstow, London. E17

[A-side label]
Small Wonder Loves Ya!
small eleven

[B-side label]
℗ 1978 18 Age Ltd
stereo 45
small eleven
A.P.B. Ltd

The "SMALL 11" catalog number appears on runout groove only.
It was reissued in February 1979 on Fiction Records as FICS 1.

Barcode and Other Identifiers

Matrix / Runout (Hand-etched A side): SMALL 11-A1 STRAWBERRY TB
Matrix / Runout (Hand-etched B-side): SMALL 11-B1 STRAWBERRY TB

Other Versions (5 of 7)

View All

	Title (Format)	Label	Cat#	Country	Year
	Killing An Arab (7", 45 RPM, Single, Rounded Thumbcut)	Small Wonder Records, Small Wonder Records	small eleven, SMALL 11	UK	1978
Recently Edited	Killing An Arab (7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Silver Injection Labels)	Fiction Records, Fiction Records, Fiction Records	FICS 001, FICS 1, 2059 098	UK	1979
Recently Edited	Killing An Arab (7", 45 RPM, Single)	Polydor, Fiction Records	2059 098, FICS 001	Ireland	1979
New Submission	Killing An Arab (7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Blue Injection Mould Label)	Fiction Records, Fiction Records, Fiction Records	FICS 001, FICS 1, 2059 098	UK	1979
New Submission	Killing An Arab (7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Silver Injection Labels)	Fiction Records, Fiction Records	FICS 001, 2059 098	UK	1979

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Reviews

Mickyw1 Jul 11, 2024
Bought this back in the day and at that time, this had a unique sound, despite plaidzebra comments below.

John Peel (RIP) played this on a number of occasions and brought a new audience to the Cure, particularly those living outside of London.

It is a snapshot of a developing band and the longevity of the Cure has proven what a great band they were (and still are)!

IMO it is one of the best debut singles of 1978 & beyond, I'm sure many new bands these days wish they could release such a strong first single!
plaidzebra Jun 16, 2023
In my mind, the Cure's debut single is the worst record they ever made. From the silly faux Middle Eastern melody to the inane lyrics inspired by the Camus novel, "Killing an Arab" has it all.

Fortunately, I made it to the b-side and discovered that this band was capable of more and better than "Killing an Arab."

Given the tunes they already had in their repertoire at the time, it's baffling why they reached for this one for their very first record.
ciderpunk May 10, 2021
Images on this version show an angled thumb-cut at rear of sleeve. My copy has a curved thumb-cut. Anyone else?
acyberpunk Sep 21, 2020
Cure collectors take note, a version of Killing An Arab with a slightly different vocal mix
appears only on the Polydor Records Punk & New Wave Compilation 20 of Another Kind Volume 1 LP
acyberpunk Sep 20, 2020
There were 15.000 of the Small wonder pressing in December 1978 which sold out quickly from good reviews in the UK music press and John Peel's patronage. Then 15.000 of the Fiction pressing, in February 1979. Not sure how many of the Fiction copies came in picture sleeves as there are many copies which come up for sale without one.
Vinylnet.co.uk Sep 10, 2018
All versions say "15000 copies pressed". Is that implying 15000 in total across all the issues? Or 15000 of each? Assuming the former does anyone know how many copies were pressed on Small Wonder?