The Chant Has Just Begun was originally released as a 7″ and 12″ single on 22nd October 1984 and did not appear on any album. When the Alarm 2000 collection box set was released it was added to the remastered version of Declaration. There has now also been recording made of The Peace Train / The Chant Has Just Begun – (see The Peace Train page for that information)
August 11th 1984 – The Chant Recording Session Good Earth Studios, London
After the successful Declaration tour came to an end, we were ready to go back and cut a new track – we performed the track The Chant Has Just Begun on the MTV show The Cutting Edge, which we played acoustically in a skiffle style in an Amtrak train station somewhere in California (Union Station, Los Angeles). By the time we retreated to Good Earth studios in Dean Street in London’s Soho, we were again in the hands of Alan Shacklock – Eddie Macdonald
Video Link – As performed on ‘The Cutting Edge’, ‘The Chant Has Just Begun’ sounded like ‘The Stand Part II’. However, when the band went into the studio to record the track, something else happened entirely.
We weren’t quite sure whether we should continue recording with Alan or not, so we actually went in to record a couple of singles. One of them was called ‘The Chant Has Just Begun’. It started off as a song written during the American dates that we’d been playing when we were making the video for ‘The Stand’ at A&M studios on La Brea Ave, Hollywood. The studio was actually on a film lot that was once owned by Charlie Chaplin. Behind the studio, there was this wall with a mural on it, and all these images of Los Angeles and the culture, and it said, ‘The Chant Has Begun’. I thought, “That’s a great idea for a song”. I started writing the song, Dave liked it, joined in and it sort of became a song written by myself, Eddie & Dave. – Mike Peters
I personally wasn’t happy with the process. I felt that he (Shacklock) was over-controlling as a producer and too reliant on digital manipulation. He had more power than was healthy in what had been a successful democratic unit until then. True to form, when we got to the studio, out came the computers and Fairlight (sampling computer) – which I felt was a desperate attempt to appeal to a commercial audience and deliver what the general public wanted to hear – Eddie Macdonald
We were always willing to experiment with new technology and The Fairlight was cutting-edge at the time. Now you could probably pick one up for ten bob – Nigel Twist
We actually recorded it in a weird way. Computers and technology had started to come into music. At the time, everybody was doing it, there was the Frankie Goes To Hollywood records, and they were sounding good. All these new ideas and new thinking about how to make records. We went in to record ‘The Chant’ as a “single” and Alan Shacklock wanted to implement this new way of recording. This meant bringing this massive thing into the studio called a Fairlight, it was just huge and they had to have this guy to work it. You’d record your drums into it, and then move them all around. Sort of like a massive version of ProTools which we have in computers these days. The only “live” instrument was Dave’s guitar, which was treated by routing it through a spinning organ Lesley cabinet. Alan dreamt up some fairly complex backing vocal parts which we were having difficulty with, so he got a professional backing singer in to compliment my voice. I’m convinced to this day that the backing voice is louder than mine in the choruses… … All in all, it was a bit of a shambles. Whilst the track has certain merits, it didn’t really sound like The Alarm and was very confusing for our fans – Mike Peters
The Chant was a tune cooked up by the band in an attempt to get back to ‘The Stand’ style. I still believe it was a unique sound but it was the end of ‘The Stand’ era. The Alarm’s musical style changed after that – Eddie MacDonald
I got the idea for this song from a piece of graffiti written on a wall behind A&M’s recording studios in Hollywood. I had originally conceived it as a follow-up to The Stand. The “Weialala” lyrics are actually a lift from T.S. Eliot’s poem “The Wasteland”. It was summer of 1984 and the era of Frankie Goes To Hollywood who had been making some revolutionary sound records. When we came to The Chant, Alan Shacklock was keen to implement some of these new advances in recording technique on The Alarm. We went in to record The Chant as a single. Nigel’s drums were sampled into a huge machine, (Fairlight), which was set up in the control room; Eddie’s bass was also imported into the track via this new music computer. The only “live” instrument was Dave’s guitar, which was treated by routing it through a spinning organ Lesley cabinet. Alan dreamt up some fairly complex backing vocal parts which we were having difficulty with, so he got a professional backing singer to compliment my voice. I’m convinced to this day that the backing voice is louder than mine on the choruses. All in all it was a Shambles. Whilst the track has certain merits, it didn’t really sound like The Alarm and was very confusing for our fans. On the day of release, and to further confuse matters, Level 42 came out with a song with the exact same title, (they had obviously seen the same graffiti). In confusion, the British radio stations decided to play their song and not ours – they charted, we didn’t. – Mike Peters, Alarm 2000 collection liner notes
The Chant was a failed attempt to define and capture the true sound of The Alarm. Something which eluded us for most, if not all, of our recorded history. certainly, at the time of all our releases, a lot of fans band felt that our records didn’t come close to the sound/energy levels of our live concerts. – Mike Peters, Alarm 2000 collection liner notes
1984 recording for the single release
Running length : 3:36
Written by : Macdonald/Peters/Sharp
Musicians & Credits
Mike Peters – Lead Vocals
Dave Sharp – Electric Guitar & Backing Vocals
Eddie Macdonald – Bass Guitar & Backing Vocals
Twist – Drums, Percussion & Backing Vocals
Alan Shacklock – Keyboards
Unknown – Backing vocals
Recorded at Good Earth Studios, Soho, London W1D, England 11th August 1984 and mixed 3rd September 1984
Produced & mixed by Alan Shacklock
Engineered by Rafe McKenna
Alternative studio recording releases – long version, remasters, 2015 new recording
1984 – The Alarm – The Chant Has Just Begun 12″ long version
Running length : 5:10
Musicians & Credits
Mike Peters – Lead Vocals
Dave Sharp – Electric Guitar & Backing Vocals
Eddie Macdonald – Bass Guitar & Backing Vocals
Twist – Drums, Percussion & Backing Vocals
Alan Shacklock – Keyboards
Unknown – Backing vocals
Recorded at Good Earth Studios, Soho, London W1D, England 11th August 1984 and mixed 3rd September 1984
Produced & mixed by Alan Shacklock.
Engineered by Rafe McKenna.
2000 – The Alarm – The Alarm 2000 Collection Box Set : Declaration [1984-1985] [Remastered]
Running length : 3:41
Musicians & Credits
Mike Peters – Lead Vocals
Dave Sharp – Electric Guitar & Backing Vocals
Eddie Macdonald – Bass Guitar & Backing Vocals
Twist – Drums, Percussion & Backing Vocals
Alan Shacklock – Keyboards
Unknown – Backing vocals
Remastered from the 1984 original recording by Mike Peters
Remastering Engineered by Gary Butler @ RTS Liverpool in 2000
2000 – The Alarm – The Alarm 2000 Collection Box Set : Rare Tracks [B-sides & Demos] [Remastered]
Running length : 5:12
Musicians & Credits
Mike Peters – Lead Vocals
Dave Sharp – Electric Guitar & Backing Vocals
Eddie Macdonald – Bass Guitar & Backing Vocals
Twist – Drums, Percussion & Backing Vocals
Alan Shacklock – Keyboards
Unknown – Backing vocals
Remastered from the 1984 original long version recording by Mike Peters
Remastering Engineered by Gary Butler @ RTS Liverpool in 2000
16th March 2015 – The Alarm – Majority
Running length : 3:46
Musicians & Credits
Mike Peters – Vocals, Bass Guitar, Drum, Bodhrain, Acoustic, Baritone & Electric Guitar, Harmonica
Smiley – Drums
Jules Jones Peters – Backing Vocals & Percussion
Steve Allan Jones – Keyboards & Backing Vocals
Recorded at Bethel Studios, Wales, Sunshine Corner Studios, Fleet, England
Produced by Mike Peters and Mark Warden
Engineered, mixed and mastered by Mark Warden at Bethel Studios, Wales
2018 – The Alarm – Declaration [1984-1985] [Remastered]
Running length : 3:42
Musicians & Credits
Mike Peters – Lead Vocals
Dave Sharp – Electric Guitar & Backing Vocals
Eddie Macdonald – Bass Guitar & Backing Vocals
Twist – Drums, Percussion & Backing Vocals
Alan Shacklock – Keyboards
Unknown – Backing vocals
Remastered from the 1984 single version recording by Pete Maher
Remastering supervised by Mike Peters
2018 – The Alarm – Declaration [1984-1985] [Remastered]
Running length : 5:14
Musicians & Credits
Mike Peters – Lead Vocals
Dave Sharp – Electric Guitar & Backing Vocals
Eddie Macdonald – Bass Guitar & Backing Vocals
Twist – Drums, Percussion & Backing Vocals
Alan Shacklock – Keyboards
Unknown – Backing vocals
Remastered from the 1984 long version recording by Pete Maher
Remastering supervised by Mike Peters
Album appearances and discography for studio recordings
All the following are Worldwide releases except where stated
(All Images right click to open larger in new window) 
2000 : The Alarm – Declaration [1984-1985]
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C011 (CD). Appearing as part of The Alarm 2000 collection box set and then later as an individual disc.
1984 recorded version remastered.
2000 : The Alarm – Rare Tracks [B-sides & Demos]
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C017 (CD). Appearing as part of The Alarm 2000 collection box set.
1984 original long version remastered.
2002 : The Alarm – Close
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21CS002. (CD). 1985 recorded single version remastered
16th March 2015 : The Alarm – Majority
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C071 (CD)
New 2015 recording.
2018 – The Alarm – Declaration [1984-1985]
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue numbers double vinyl LP 21C094 and double CD 21C096
1984 Single version remastered.
2018 – The Alarm – Declaration [1984-1985]
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue numbers double CD 21C096
1984 12″version remastered. 
June 2021 – The Alarm – History Repeating 2021-1981
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C120 (CD)
1984 original long version remastered.
Single/EP appearances and discography for studio recordings
UK Releases :
22nd October 1984 : 7″ Vinyl – The Chant Has Just Begun
The Chant Has Just Begun / (b Side) – The Bells Of Rhymney
IRS Records, catalogue number IRS114 
22nd October 1984 : 12” Vinyl – The Chant Has Just Begun
The Chant Has Just Begun (long version) / (b Side) – The Bells Of Rhymney / The Stand (Full version)
IRS Records, catalogue number IRSY114
Europe/Spain/Netherlands’Italy Releases :
October 1984 : 7” Vinyl – The Chant Has Just Begun
The Chant Has Just Begun / (b Side) – The Bells Of Rhymney
Illegal Records, cataligue number ILSA4776 
October 1984 : 12” Vinyl maxi single – The Chant Has Just Begun
The Chant Has Just Begun The Bells Of Rhymney / (B-side) Bound For Glory / The Stand (Full version)
Illegal Records, cataligue number ILSA124776
Japan Release :
October 1984 : 12” Vinyl – The Chant Has Just Begun
The Chant Has Just Begun / The Bells Of Rhymney / (B-side) The Stand (Full version), Thoughts Of A Young Man / Second Generation
CBS/Sony, catalogue number 20AP2957
USA Release :
1989 : CD3 Single – Sixty Eight Guns
Sixty Eight Guns / The Chant Has Just Begun / Marching On (live)
IRS Records, catalogue number CC31015
Officially released promotional video
For the October 1984 single release a video was recorded shot by director John Scarlett-Davis. This was released on the Standards compilation VHS video release in 1990
Released on IRS Records with a catalogue number of IVP1 in the UK (VHS PAL) and on EYE.R.S. with a catalogue number of X5VD-13056 in the USA (VHS NTSC).
Video Link – Original 1984 video directed by John Scarlett-Davis 
Officially released live recordings – Audio
All the following are Worldwide releases on Twenty First Century Recording Company
(Except where stated)
1st February 1984. Recorded live at Top Rank, Brighton, England
Running length 2:59
Band Line up : Mike Peters, Dave Sharp, Eddie Macdonald and Nigel Twist
Released on CD in 2003 as The Alarm The Sound & The Fury Live 1981 to 1991. Shakedown records, catalogue number SHAKEBX112Z (UK, Export)
Released on CD in 2008 as The Alarm Absolute Reality on The Great American Music Company, catalogue number CD-GA-702 (USA))
Released on CD in 2014 as The Alarm When The Storm Broke. Secret records, catalogue number SECDD098 (UK)
14th February 1984. Recorded live at Hammersmith Palais, London W6, England
Band Line up : Mike Peters, Dave Sharp, Eddie Macdonald and Nigel Twist
Running length 3:07
Released on CD in 2002 as The Alarm Record Collectors Club Vol II – Hammersmith 1984. Catalogue number ARCC002
15th December 2000. Recorded at Shepherds Bush Empire, London W12, England.
Running Length 0:30
Also released on CD in USA on Beyond (398 578 223-2 / BEY 78223) and Japan on Imperial Records (TECI-24086) in 2001, reissued in UK, and Europe on Eagle Records (EAMCD301) Australia & New Zealand (CDR0795) and USA (ER 20057-2) as The Alarm – Greatest Hits Live
16th December 2000. Recorded at University, Cardiff, Wales. Running Length 0:31
The band line up for December live shows were : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Richard Llewellyn, Steve Grantley. The CD releases of the December dates were called Live In ……..
These December dates were part of the tour to promote The Alarm 2000 collection and were billed as The Alarm MM.
29th August 2004. Recorded at William Aston Hall, NEWI, Wrexham, Wales
Running Length 5.37. Mike Peters and Bruce Watson acoustic
Released in 2004 on Alarmstock 2 Volume 8 – The Peace Train
6th August 2005. Recorded at Abbey Road Studios, London NW8, England
Running Length 4:38. Mike Peters Solo acoustic
Released in 2005 on Alarmstock III London Set 3 – A Fuse Has Been Lit In The House
22nd October 2010. Record at King Tuts Wah Wah Hut, Glasgow, Scotland
Running Length 3:42. A medley of The Stand/The Chant Has Just Begun. Mike Peters Solo acoustic
Released on CD in 2010 Mike Peters // The Alarm – Direct Acoustic MMX live in Glasgow
catalogue number 21C054
Officially released live recordings – Video/DVD
All the following are Worldwide releases except where stated
15th December 2000. Recorded at Shepherds Bush Empire, London W12, England
Running length tbc
Band line up for December shows : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Richard Llewellyn, Steve Grantley.
Released in 2002 on DVD The Alarm Greatest Hits Live
Twenty First Century Recording Company catalogue number 21CDVD001
9th June 2001. Recorded at The Town Hall, Rhyl, Wales
Mike Peters Solo acoustic.
Released in 2001 on DVD The Story Of The Alarm (20th Anniversary)
Twenty First Century Recording Company catalogue number 21CDVD002
2nd May 2015. Recorded at The Globe, Cardiff, Wales
Mike Peters solo acoustic set
Released on CD on 7th December 2015 – Mike Peters presents The Alarm – Live At The Globe 2015 – Majority Set
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21CDVD019
Lyrics – 1984 Single release
Weialala leia
Wallala leilala
(Fighting)
The chant has just begun
The song must now be sung
For the word must now be spoken
The chant has just begun
(Fighting, Fighting)
Here we are in times of recession
The cuts are like a stab in the back
To the monetary sound the world goes round
Unrest on every tongue in the land
Sisters and brothers
Weialala leia
Wallala leialaia
The chant has just begun
The song must now be sung
(Fighting, Fighting)
For the word must now be spoken
The chant has just begun
(Fighting, Fighting)
Well the gunpowders back in the basement
A fuse has been lit in a house
A crack is a crack and the people fight back
Spreading their hope through the land
Sisters and brothers
Weialala leia
Wallala leialala
The chant has just begun
The song must now be sung
(Fighting, Fighting)
For the word must now be spoken
The chant has just begun
Fighting for the love fighting for the spirit
From the top to the bottom from the start to the finish
Fighting for the love fighting for the spirit
From the top to the bottom from the start to the finish
Fighting for the love
Fighting for the love
Fighting for the love
Weialala leia
Wallala leialala
The chant has just begun
The song must now be sung
(Fighting, Fighting)
For the word must now be spoken
The chant has just begun
Weialala leia
Wallala leialala
Audio & Visual Sources
Video Link – Original 1984 video directed by John Scarlett-Davis
Video Link – The Chant Has Just Begun (Official Music Video) [2018 Remaster] from the official The Alarm Youtube channel
Video Link – 1985 Germany live performance as broadcast on German TV
Video Link – Sheffield 2015 Mike Peters solo includes The Stand
(Page updated 18/06/2021)