BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1989
“It’s Alright” is the 13th single from Pet Shop Boys and was released in the UK by Parlophone Records on 26 June 1989. It reached number 5 in the UK and, as of February 2009, it is the Pet Shop Boys’ 8th best-selling single. The song was originally written and performed by Sterling Void, Chicago Vocalist and lyricist Paris Brightledge and Marshall Jefferson and came to the attention of Pet Shop Boys on a house compilation issued by DJ International Records in 1987.
The lyrics list a wide variety of serious political issues in the headlines at the time (“Dictation enforced in Afghanistan, revolution in South Africa taking a stand…”), and then offers the positive message of the title—that on its “timeless wavelength”, “music is our life’s foundation”, it “shall last” and ultimately “succeed all the nations to come”.
SIDE A:
It’s Alright (Extended Version) 8:46
Engineer – Pete Schwier
Producer – Trevor Horn
Programmed By – George De Angelis
Programmed By [Assistant] – Steve Fitzmaurice
Vocals [Additional] – Sally Bradshaw, Tessa Niles
Written-By – Sterling Void
SIDE B:
One Of The Crowd 3:54
Engineer – Paul Wright, Pete Schwier
Producer – Pet Shop Boys
Written-By – Lowe-Tennant*
Your Funny Uncle 2:15
Engineer – Danton Supple
Producer – Pet Shop Boys
Written-By – Tennant-Lowe*
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Parlophone – 12RS 6220
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Single, Limited Edition, 45 RPM
Country: UK
Released: Jun 1989
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop
CREDITS:
Design [Sleeve Design] – Mark Farrow
Photography By – Eric Watson (3)
NOTES:
Sleeve design @ 3a
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
DAC/Phono Pre-amp: Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
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/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
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)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
Username: btg
Password: burningtheground
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Yes, indeed much big love for PSB here as well. So I am most grateful for this. And to think about 8-10yrs ago I was beginning to lose interest and then in 2016 they dropped one of the greatest most enjoyable, camp, fun and biting records in the canon. In fact, I’d have to say it belonged best of lists for 2016, at least mine. That all makes me wonder how critics reviewed/received it and if it don’t make any their top ten lists.. I shall endeavor to suss that info forthwith and if you are interested, I can share… Read more »
Very nice choice, Paul.In ’89 I was 18, when this song came out, we hear it on the radio and fancy about the house movement, living under the Iron Curtain here, in Hungary. That was a hard times, like nowadays, but now we can win together, as we do then. Thanks again and stay home !
Thank you so very much. Pet Shop Boys are one of my very favorites and after 36 years, I finally have tickets to see them. Have a great day, Sir!
Great cover version of this classic. I think they did the Sterling Void original well.
Thanks Paul 🙂
Great song, though I don’t think they really ever bettered the version that appeared on Introspective. Actually, I hoped at the time that at least one of the 12″ mixes would have used the original version as the basis of the track, like the Arthur Baker version of Suburbia used the original recording as the foundation of his remix. A full-on epic old-school 12-15 minute disco extravaganza would have been so very cool, even today if they revisited the idea I would love to hear the result. The song, especially the original, has so much soul. At the heart of… Read more »
Thanks Paul. Can’t go wrong with 80s Pets.
hi paul, thanks for bringing an uplifting song, and a great classic from the pet shop boys long list of hits. i’ve always loved this song, and all the different versions of it. for those interested. this limited edition 12 inch, has an obi and a different sleeve than the normal releases. there is a very cool 10 inch, with poster, and to me an even better exclusive mix on it. finally, there are the acid dj international mixes. all of them, came out on vinyl, and some on cd-singles, and cd-3, cassette, etc. lots of cool stuff, for collectors,… Read more »
Every time I think I’ve heard everything by the PSBoys, you post something like this. Something about the way it’s mixed – felt like they were in the same room with me when sing/speaking at the top of the track. Simply: wow. Thanks.
Big Tune Mate!
Thanks
Great post Paul, Hope you’re keeping well, always enjoy a PSB post and I love this era from Please to Introspective. It Couldn’t Happen Here is finally being released later this year on Blu-ray and dvd.
I like this version better than the edit. Brings out so much more of this song. Thanks Paul
You’re welcome, Matt 🙂
I can’t believe i didn’t have this, but I didn’t…until now! thank you!
You’re welcome, Conner 🙂
Inspiring song to these moments of doubt, trouble and disease.
I agree Alberto 🙂
Thanks for the insight into this song Paul. Pet Shop Boys are wonderful and so wonderful of you sharing these limited edition twelves with us.
Jeff
You’re welcome, Jeff 🙂
I love the sentiment, Paul! Thanks so much for this. I hope you’re doing well. 🙂
You’re welcome, Goodguy 🙂