The B-sides are the hidden gems. “It’s Only Love,” a dramatic, synth-string-laden ballad, never made the original album but is arguably superior to some of its slower moments. “Dream City,” a driving, hi-NRG track, sounds like it was designed for roller rinks and sweaty nightclubs in equal measure. These tracks reveal the depth of Fox’s collaboration with producers Jon Astrop and Ian Morrow—they weren’t just crafting hits; they were building a sonic universe.
Hearing the “Extended Club Mix” of “Touch Me” is a revelation. It adds a full minute of percussive intro—cowbells, rimshots, a throbbing synth bassline—before Samantha even utters a word. It’s no longer a pop song; it’s a command. Similarly, the “Hot Tracks Mix” of “Do Ya Do Ya (Wanna Please Me)” strips the song down to a frantic, piano-driven garage-house beat, showcasing how Fox’s music was embraced by the early house and LGBTQ+ club scenes. Samantha Fox - Touch Me -Deluxe Edition-
But the real revelation is the track sequencing and the inclusion of the original UK album mix, which differs subtly from the US version. The Deluxe Edition restores the interlude-like feel of the original, letting the Pete Q. Harris-produced tracks (he helmed the majority) breathe. Songs like “Rock City” and “Midnight Lover” no longer sound like filler; they reveal themselves as tight, energetic rock-pop hybrids that foreshadow her later, more rock-oriented work. The remaster strips away the brittle harshness of 80s digital recording, leaving a warm, punchy, dancefloor-ready sheen. This is where the Deluxe Edition transforms from a simple reissue into a historical document . Disc Two is a treasure trove of single edits, extended 12” mixes, and B-sides. For the uninitiated, the 12” single was an art form in the 80s—a chance for producers to stretch out, layer synths, and create a hypnotic, club-prime experience. The B-sides are the hidden gems
For the casual fan, “Touch Me” is still a karaoke staple and a queer anthem. For the collector, this Deluxe Edition is the final word. For the music historian, it’s a primary source document. And for Samantha Fox herself, it’s the ultimate vindication—proof that her music, divorced from the sensationalism, stands on its own as a thumping, joyful, defiant piece of pop perfection. The deluxe treatment finally gives Touch Me the respect it always deserved: not as a side project of a model, but as a landmark debut of a survivor. And yes, you will still want to touch her. But now, you’ll also want to listen. These tracks reveal the depth of Fox’s collaboration
Interviews with the producers reveal the studio tension: they knew she had a raw, untrained voice, so they built the songs around her limited range but powerful attitude. They treated her like a punk-frontwoman, not a diva. The famous spoken-word intro to “Touch Me”— “Go on, touch me, I’m yours. Tonight.” —was reportedly recorded in one take, with Fox half-laughing, half-snarling. That authenticity cuts through the gloss. In an era of cynical “remastered” reissues that add one bonus track and call it a day, the Touch Me – Deluxe Edition is a labor of love. It argues for Samantha Fox as more than a nostalgia act or a tabloid footnote. It presents her as a genuine pop architect of the late 80s—one who helped bridge the gap between the post-disco sound and the emerging house music explosion.