BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1988
“Left to My Own Devices” is a song recorded by Pet Shop Boys, released as the second single from their third studio album, Introspective.
The single fared better than the album’s lead single, “Domino Dancing”, charting three positions higher in the UK Singles Chart, at Number 4. It became the first track that Pet Shop Boys recorded with an orchestra, arranged by Richard Niles. Since its release, it has become a staple of Pet Shop Boys live performances.
In the U.S. the single only managed to rech #84 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. “Left To My Own Devices” was a bigger hit in U.S. dance clubs peaking at #8 on the Billboard Dance Chart.
SIDE A:
Left To My Own Devices (The Disco Mix) 11:28
Arranged By [Orchestra], Conductor – Richard Niles
Remix – Robin Hancock, Stephen Lipson, Trevor Horn
Vocals [Additional] – Bruce Woolley, Sally Bradshaw
SIDE B:
Left To My Own Devices 4:46
Arranged By [Orchestra], Conductor – Richard Niles
Vocals [Additional] – Bruce Woolley
The Sound Of The Atom Splitting 3:29
Engineer [Assistant] – Renny Hill
Written-By – Lipson*, Tennant/Lowe*, Horn*
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Left To My Own Devices | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #84 |
| 1988 | Left To My Own Devices | U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play | #8 |
| 1988 | Left To My Own Devices | U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales | #25 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: EMI-Manhattan Records – V-56121, EMI USA – V-56121
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1988
Genre: Electronic
Style: House, Synth-pop
CREDITS:
Arranged By, Producer – Stephen Lipson, Trevor Horn
Design – Mark Farrow, Pet Shop Boys
Engineer –Stephen Lipson
Engineer [Assistant] – Danton Supple
Photography By – Michael Roberts (6)
Written-By – Tennant and Lowe* (tracks: A, B1)
NOTES:
Mark Farrow at Three Associates
Printed in U.S.A.
Find the 12″ on 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: Tung-Sol 12AX7 TubeGold 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
TY
Again and again and again and again you introduce me to something I SHOULD have known about as I lived through this era. What makes it worse, this is one of my favourite PSB tracks, so I’m feeling a little embarrassed to have never heard it before.
Thank you for making this world a more musical one Paul!
🙂 Happy New Year Paul!!!
Happy New Year, Paul. Thanks for this. I have the UK promo. I couldn’t believe it when I finally ripped it that it was so long. The intro alone is about 3 minutes, but it’s so good you don’t notice. Their masterpiece.
It does indeed go by very quickly Jonathan. Leaves you wanting even more. Happy New Year!
Thanks Paul. always great to see the pet shop boys, and some of their mixes show up here. this is a great single, and awesome remix. however, i was disappointed there was no real limited edition for it (it just came with a new outer sleeve). the other mixes of it are promo only, which i do have opened on, and have transferred over. anyone looking for the other ones can check them out on youtube. if you find the aurally compilations, they have great copies of them, like: Left To My Own Devices (Device Mix) Left To My Own… Read more »
I also have the UK 12″ with the yellow slipcover. I wished they had done more with it too. I think I have the Arally bootleg somewhere 🙂
This is one of my favorite 12″ from PSB. The rhythm on their extended mixes is always good.
Thanks, Paul.
You’re welcome DJVeteran 🙂
Thanks Paul. 🙂
You’re welcome Kent 🙂
HAPPY NEW YEAR to all of you.
Oh Paul – my FAVOURITE FAVOURITE PSB track (regarding the singles). I am not absolutely pleased with either of the remix versions as I think the song should have been taken a step further but I still love the disco mix and its equivalent 11-minute live version (to be found on…. well, you know where…).
A great start into 2018 with one of my favourite DD tracks and my favourite PSB track. Well done 🙂
Thank you Song and Dance 🙂
One of their most brilliant songs. Ever.
Thanks so much for sharing this Paul!
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year John von Ahlen 🙂
I have that “Device Mix” from a vinyl. Can I share it here, Paul? Or there’s an alternative way to do it?
Hi, Alberto, I am going to share it eventually. Thank you for offering 🙂
Dear Paul:
I’ll be waiting for your fantastic rip. You and your site are A W E S O M E.
Happy new year for everybody..Great song og PSB thanks a lot Paul.¡¡¡
Happy New Year Nacho! 🙂
Thanks Paul for your great job as always, but do you have the other mixes?
This mix is very common but the Shep Pettibone Mix, Devices Mix, etc are hard to find in good quality.
Also Frankie Knuckles remix, but this is impossible to get 🙂
I have both mixes but they are on the “Introspective” Limited Edition 12″ which is still sealed. I don’t know if I want to open it at this time or not. We’ll see 🙂
wow… you have it sealed?!?
So in this case don’t open
God bless you Paul! When I thought my PSB collection was complete, you show me another rarity about which I was not aware. Thanks once again!
You’re welcome Walter C 🙂
This is a wonderful song. What a great way to start the year !!!
Thank you, Paul, and Happy New Year for you.
Thank you, Alberto. Happy New Year!
First off, happy 2018 to you Paul and the many Burning The Ground devotees around the world!! It’s so great to get this song (along with the Duran Duran 12-inch yesterday)in your wonderful fidelity Paul!! I loved reading your “About BTG” page too because it really says so much, including your history and passion and everything else you have going for you to make this place a sanctuary for so many of us. I can’t say enough great things about you DjPaulT. Your hard work and your discography is PHENOMENAL and I relish every computer byte, bit and beat!! Back… Read more »
Happy New Year Jeff! Missed you around here and thought you had disappeared on us. Thank you so much for your devotion to this site. I am just so glad you are back. L)
WOW…..A Big Thank You Paul, I added this to my collection way back in late 1988, a few months earlier I bought my first HI FI system (Sharp) which played CD’s, Cassettes and Records. That Christmas I bought many 12″ records, Pet Shop Boys Left To My Own Devices, Duran Duran’s All She Wants Is and INXS Need You Tonight, etc (too many artists to name). Left To My Own Devices was and still is a fantastic song, I remember them performing this on Top Of The Pops and loved the promo video. 1989 I bought the CD singles of… Read more »
Thank you, John. Always loved the Boys. I was really hoping the Further Listening series would add some more rare material but it looks like just a re-issue. Still, it will be nice for those who missed them the first time around. 🙂
A good BTG project to concentrate on the rare material 🙂 Thanks Paul this is one of my faves but the one I would most like to see you tackle is the “Its A Sin” 12″ remix with the brilliant “You Know Where You Went Wrong (Rough Mix)” which has never had a CD or digital release!
Thanks a lot for any pet shop boys. 😊
You’re welcome Marko 🙂
Paul, you’re a gem! This is absolutely great. The Disco Mix is hard to find.
Thank you Omar 🙂