BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1988
“Domino Dancing” is a song recorded by the British synthpop duo Pet Shop Boys, released as the lead single from their 1988 album, Introspective. It reached number 7 on the UK Singles Chart.
Written by Chris Lowe and Neil Tennant, influenced by Latin pop and apparently also by the song “Elle est comme les étoiles” by Desireless, the song was produced by Lewis A. Martinée, the Miami-based producer behind 1980s freestyle groups like Exposé. The song was also recorded at Martinée’s studio in Miami, resulting in a considerably large number of studio musicians for a Pet Shop Boys song being featured on it.
The duo had achieved three number ones in 1987–1988 and Domino Dancing was expected to continue this success. But the public reception to the duo’s new Latin sound proved disappointing. Tennant remembers: “…it entered the charts at number nine and I thought, ‘that’s that, then – it’s all over’. I knew then that our imperial phase of number one hits was over.”
The single missed the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #18, and was the duo’s sixth and, to date, last Top 20 pop hit in the USA. (In fact, they have not made the top 60 since Domino Dancing.) The song did reach #5 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart, where the duo have seen more consistent success.
SIDE A:
Domino Dancing (Disco Mix) 7:41
Domino Dancing (7″ Version) 4:17
SIDE B:
Don Juan (Disco Mix) 7:33
Engineer – David Jacob
Producer – Pet Shop Boys
Programmed By [Fairlight, Assistant] – Chris Newman (4)
Domino Dancing (Alternative Mix) 4:41
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Domino Dancing | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #18 |
| 1988 | Domino Dancing | U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks | #22 |
| 1988 | Domino Dancing | U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play | #5 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: EMI-Manhattan Records – V-56116
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single
Country: US
Released: Sep 1988
Genre: Electronic
Style: Latin, Freestyle, Synth-pop
CREDITS:
Backing Vocals – The Voice In Fashion (tracks: A1, A2, B2)
Brass – Dana Tebor* (tracks: A1, A2, B2), Ed Calle (tracks: A1, A2, B2), Kenneth William Faulk* (tracks: A1, A2, B2), Tony Conception* (tracks: A1, A2, B2)
Composed By – Tennant and Lowe*
Engineer [Assistant] – Ceaser Sogbe* (tracks: A1, A2, B2)
Engineer, Mixed By – Mike Couzzi (tracks: A1, A2, B2)
Guitar – Nestor Gomez (tracks: A1, A2, B2)
Keyboards [Additional] – Fro Sossa (tracks: A1, A2, B2)
Keyboards [Additional], Score [Brass] – Mike Bakst (tracks: A1, A2, B2)
Mixed By – Rick “Billy Bob” Alonso* (tracks: A1, A2, B2)
Producer, Engineer, Mixed By, Arranged By [Brass] – Lewis A. Martinee* (tracks: A1, A2, B2)
Soloist, Trumpet – Tony Conception* (tracks: A1, A2, B2)
NOTES:
Tracks A1, A2 & B2 Produced for Pantera Productions. Recorded and mixed at International Sound, Miami, Florida, USA. The Voice In Fashion courtesy of EMI Manhattan Records.
Track B1 Recorded and mixed at Advision Studios, London, UK.
Printed in U.S.A.
Find the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL RESTORATION BY:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net
EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon 2M Bronze
Isolation: Auralex Acoustics ISO-Tone Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Tube: Mullard 12AX7 Preamp Vacuum Tube Pins
Soundcard: Novation Audiohub 2×4 Audio Interface
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2, ocenaudio
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
Username: btg
Password: burningtheground
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Hello, Would it be possible to get a Re-up on this one… Top site, Great work and thank you 🙂
thank you
You’ve made my day with this. Thanks a lot of the website.
Thanks Paul, another great choice. I know I won’t be popular on here for saying so, but this was the last good PSB single in my eyes (with the possible execption of Being Boring but that’s more in retrospect).
What a treat to have another PSB post. I loved the “Base Mix” of DD, and looking forward to hearing this version.
Cheers Paul 🙂
Thank you so much Paul! Was just watching the “Domino Dancing” video with friends on Saturday night. Could have sworn the video was directed by Bruce Weber, as it turns out was directed by Eric Watson.
From Wikipedia:
In 2012, Ricky Martin, who appeared briefly in one of the crowd dancing scenes in the video as an uncredited extra, quipped on Twitter:
Puerto Rico+Homoeroticism = Pet Shop Boys “Domino Dancing”. […]
— Ricky Martin
Yeah, I always interpreted the the video as for the gay, mixing it with well, “lets make it fighting over a girl”, to clean it up. Not that I was bothered by it, au contraire 🙂
I wonder in how many playlists it is right next to Madonna’s Cherish?
Thanks Paul. I hope u could post Heart (Disco Mix) at some point. The version on the remastered Actually seems it’s the wrong speed (a little slow). Thanks.
Thanks for this one Paul ! My copy is literally unplayable 🙂
I could not believe that I found a sealed copy of this 12 and said to myself “gotta get it.” Of all the PSB 12’s I have this one for me ranks #5 behind “West End Girls”, “It’s A Sin”, “What Have I Done To Deserve This” and “Always On My Mind.” It’s a shame that the Latin rhythm that was part of this song was not as well received but then again Martinée’s style was beginning to wear thin on mainstream pop even though it was going strong in the clubs here in the U.S. especially in south Florida… Read more »
WOW Paul, great post, I remember buying this on 12″ in the Woolworths store (September 1988) and this got played a lot especially Don Juan (Disco Mix), loved the video as well, I remember singing “all men are vain”, then in Smash Hits magazine seeing the proper lyrics which were “All day, all day”.
Great story John it’s funny how we sometimes make up our own lyrics 🙂
Perfect timing! I was just about to start cleaning my rip, you have saved me the work. Now I can move on to another New Order 12″.
Howdy! Paul has posted 14 New Order 12″s here…I’m not a NO junkie but find it interesting you have more to rip yourself. What 12″s are you ripping? Maybe stuff after the 80s? They had quite a few releases in the 90s.
Currently in the queue:
Confusion – US 12″
Lost Sirens – US 12″
Round & Round – US 12″
Singularity – UK 12″
Happy that I saved you the work Andrew 🙂
Thanks so much, Paul! As NKelly stated, I really thought you posted this before…so this is an extra nice surprise now!
I noticed the cover of the 12″ says Latin American Party…maybe this week (and future weeks) will be some classic Latin/freestyle music like Noel, Sweet Sensation, Stevie B, Cover Girls (thanks again for one of their hits yesterday!), Dino, Expose, Nocera, etc.
I know you do a lot but I am hoping you can honor a few requests regarding this general genre of dance music from the 80s. 🙂
Thanks again!
I do not have a huge freestyle collection, Fred, because it was never my favorite genre I was more into synth-pop and new wave. However, I do have a few that I plan to get posted. I am also always buying stuff too 🙂
Thanks !! Pet shop boys make me remember my teenage years in the High School listening the discography in cassete tapes !
My favorite Duo !
Fun memories Jonathan 🙂
Loved this record when it came out. Still do today… Thank you Paul.
You’re welcome Joey 🙂
I just love those Boys and that Latin Hip Hop sound!! Paul, thanks for posting this. I loved the Base Mix you previously posted and it’s fantastic to have the disco mix added. Lewis A. Martinee is a phenomenal producer and I just love those background vocals by The Voice In Fashion (Kudos again for posting their “Give Me Your Love” 12-inch. You know such great music!). This fits in perfectly with yesterday’s “Show Me” post. Repeating myself, I love quality Freestyle records and this one is perfect. This has been such a great week so far starting with Naked… Read more »
I think this is possibly my fav PSB single Jeff. I just love the vibe and that video was so hot. I had forgotten that I posted The Voice In Fashion had to go back and listen to it again 🙂
Hi Paul, thanks a lot, love this song. Amazing memories 🙂
You’re welcome Peppe 🙂
Wow is this the first time you’ve ever posted this? I’m amazed. Many thanks for this gem!!
Yeah I posted the “Remix” UK 12″ in 2016 I think. This one makes its BTG debut today 🙂