"Taxloss" (sometimes stylised as "Taxlo$$") is a song by the English alternative rock band Mansun. The song was written by band-leader Paul Draper. It was produced by Draper and mixed by Mark 'Spike' Stent during sessions for the group's debut studio album. The song was edited down from over seven minutes to four and a half minutes released as a single in April 1997, the fifth single from the group's debut album, Attack of the Grey Lantern, and their sixth on a major-label. The single charted in the top twenty at #15 on the UK Singles Chart[1] and continuing the group's run of four consecutive top twenty singles.

"Taxloss"
Single by Mansun
from the album Attack of the Grey Lantern
Released26 March 1997 (Japan)
28 April 1997 (UK)
December 1998 (Fanclub 7")
Recorded1996–7
GenreAlternative rock, psychedelic rock, dance-rock
Length7:19
4:27 (Single version)
LabelParlophone
Toshiba EMI (Japan)
Songwriter(s)Paul Draper
Producer(s)Paul Draper
Mansun singles chronology
"She Makes My Nose Bleed"
(1997)
"Taxloss"
(1997)
"Closed for Business"
(1997)

The single was supposed to be titled Six EP as part of the group's unique naming system, but was not labelled as such for unknown reasons. The single was released on two CDs and a 12" vinyl of remixes (a first for the group). Each remix is a major rework in Techno and Progressive Trance[2] styles. The remixes were produced by John 'OO' Fleming, Lisa Marie Experience, Gaudi, and Slam, the latter of which appeared only on the Promo 12".

"Taxloss" was released as a special Fan club 7" vinyl single in December 1998. The single featured live versions of the song and "Everyone Must Win" recorded at Brixton Academy 23/10/1998 during the group's tour to support their second album Six.

Music video

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On 17 April 1997, director Roman Coppola filmed the music video using hidden cameras to capture members of the video production crew (the band did not appear in the video) throwing £25,000 in £5 notes (each with a white sticker with the word "Taxlo$$" in red) from the upper concourse of Liverpool Street Station onto commuters below. All this information is imparted in the finished music video which includes all the preparation for the stunt from the withdrawal of the cash through to the news reports after the event. The ensuing chaos as the crowd scrambled for the cash was intended to highlight human greed.[3][4][5]

Track listing

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All tracks are written by Paul Draper, except where indicated

UK CD Part One (Includes a free poster)
No.TitleLength
1."Taxloss"7:19
2."Grey Lantern"2:04
3."Taxloss (Lisa Marie Experience Remix)"6:10
UK CD Part Two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Taxloss" 4:27
2."The Impending Collapse of It All"Dominic Chad, Paul Draper4:04
3."Ski Jump Nose (Live)" (recorded live at Derby Assembly Rooms) 6:31
4."Wide Open Space (Acoustic)" 4:16
UK 12" Vinyl Remixes
No.TitleLength
1."Taxloss (John 'OO' Fleming Remix)" 
2."Taxloss (Album Version)"7:19
3."Taxloss (Lisa Marie Experience Remix)"6:10
4."Taxloss (Gaudi Remix)" 
12" Vinyl Promo Remixes
No.TitleLength
1."Taxloss (John 'OO' Fleming Remix)" 
2."Taxloss (Slam Remix)" 
3."Taxloss (L.Mex Mix)"6:10
4."Taxloss (Gaudi Remix)" 
CD Japan Only Two EP
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Taxloss" 4:27
2."The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail"Dominic Chad, Paul Draper4:39
3."Live Open Space" 4:43
4."Drastic Sturgeon (Live)" 3:17
Fanclub 7" Vinyl (Released 12/1998)
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Taxloss (Live)" (recorded at Brixton Academy 23/10/1998)  
2."Everyone Must Win (Live)" (recorded at Brixton Academy 23/10/1998)Paul Draper, Dominic Chad, Howard Devoto 

Personnel

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Chart positions

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Chart (1997) Peak
position
UK Singles Chart[6] 15
Scottish Singles Chart[7] 18

References

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  1. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 348. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  2. ^ Mansun - Taxlo$$ (Taxloss Remixes) (Vinyl) at Discogs
  3. ^ Mansun - Taxloss (Official Promo Video) (Video). 13 January 2017. Retrieved 24 March 2024 – via YouTube.
  4. ^ Keating, Matthew (17 September 2000). "The Guide Thursday: Rock, pop & jazz: Mansun". The Guardian.
  5. ^ Ho, Judith (28 August 1999). "Shadow Boxing". The Scotsman.
  6. ^ "UK Chartlog". zobbel.de. Retrieved 7 April 2010.
  7. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Chart Top 100". officialcharts.com. 4 May 1997. Retrieved 19 September 2016.