BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1985
“West End Girls” is a song by British pop duo Pet Shop Boys. Written by Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe, the song was released twice as a single. It is a synthpop song, influenced by hip hop music. The lyrics focus on class, and inner-city pressure, and were inspired by T.S. Eliot’s poem The Waste Land. It was generally well received by contemporary music critics and has been frequently cited as a highlight in the duo’s career.
The first version of the song was produced by Bobby Orlando and was released on Columbia Records’ Bobcat Records imprint in April 1984, becoming a club hit in the United States and some European countries. After the duo signed with EMI, the song was re-recorded with producer Stephen Hague for their first studio album, Please. In October 1985, the song was re-released, reaching number one in the United Kingdom and the United States in 1986. In 1987, the song won Best Single at the Brit Awards, and Best International Hit at the Ivor Novello Awards. In 2005, 20 years after its release, the song was awarded Song of The Decade between the years 1985 and 1994 by the British Academy of Composers and Songwriters.
The B-side “A Man Could Get Arrested” was another track that was originally recorded with Bobby Orlando but not released until later. The 12″ version of this original cut was finished off by Neil and Chris after signing with EMI, and they went on to record a more complex and polished version for the 7″.
The song was inspired, according to Neil, by “an incident with a friend of ours where we ended up being chased by these lads through Russell Square and onto Kingsway. Bottles were thrown; there were bottles smashing in the street…But I made the song into a story about someone who is trying to get his girlfriend to have it off with him, basically, and he’s so frustrated that … he’s driven to distraction. It’s a song about sexual frustration.”
SIDE A:
West End Girls (The Shep Pettibone Mastermix) 8:09
Producer – Stephen Hague
Remix, Producer [Additional Production] – Shep Pettibone
SIDE B:
West End Dub 9:30
Producer – Stephen Hague
Remix, Producer [Additional Production] – Shep Pettibone
A Man Could Get Arrested (12″ Version) 4:18
Producer – Bobby Orlando, Pet Shop Boys, The*
Remix – Frank Roszak
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
CHARTS:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | West End Girls | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #1 |
| 1986 | West End Girls | U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks | #26 |
| 1986 | West End Girls | U.S. Billboard Hot Dance/Club Play | #1 |
| 1986 | West End Girls | U.S. Billboard Hot Black Singles | #36 |
| 1986 | West End Girls | U.S. Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks | #37 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Parlophone – 1C K 060 20 0998 6, EMI – 1C K 060-20 0998 6
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Maxi-Single
Country: Europe
Released: 1985
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop
Credits: Written-By – Tennant / Lowe
NOTES:
Later pressings (1986-7) include a boxed logo and message on the front sleeve stating “Number 1 in England – Original Top Hit as seen on ‘Formel Eins'” (a German pop TV show).
A, B1: Mixing and additional production for Mastermix Productions.
Printed In Germany
Find The 12″ On DISCOGS
EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut III
Cartridge: Ortofon Super
Stylus: Ortofon OM Stylus 30
Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Soundcard: ESI Juli@
VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Brother MFC-6490CW Professional Series Scanner
SOFTWARE USED:
Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Adobe Photoshop CS5
ClickRepair
dBpoweramp
Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
Downsampled to 24bit/96kHz and16bit /44kHz using iZotope RX Advanced 2
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
I was just listening to what I think is this rip, and noticed that the Shep Pettibone Mastermix has a possible speed problem at 6:07. Can you check yours? Is it like this on the record?
TY
Hello,
I am a great PSB-Fan.
The “Shep Pettibone Mastermix” of West End Girls has been released on CD in 1986 in NL:
http://www.discogs.com/Various-Now-Dance/release/394364
I have this CD, and the quality of this mix is great! I have also the 12”.
On the CD this track is wrongly listed as the “Dance Mix” (6:30), but in fact it is
the “Shep Pettibone Mastermix” (8:09).
NOT WORK LINK … PLEASE RE-UP
Hi Paul – assuming that it’s never too late to send a thank you. Really great to find these PSB rips – a welcome addition for the all-to-frequent nostalgia trips.
I hope you’ll be able to post more PSB in the future – there are still some great versions of ‘What Have I Done to Deserve This?’ and ‘Left to My Own Devices’ that haven’t been digitized yet. (hint, hint) 🙂
What mixes of what have I done to deserve this are you looking for? Can you please post details such as discogs links? I love thy song!
I remember these remixes. Great to finally have a clean copy.
Thanks Paul! 🙂
Thanks Paul. Looking forward to listening to this version.
Thank you!
My #1 record [and I have a lot……..]. I always loved the mixes on this record. Why these versions have never been released I will never know. My copy is a bit worn out, got it when I was DJ’ing and played it every night, sometimes twice. Great to get a cleaner version after all these years. I did not get the vinyl with the cover, just a black sleeve, but it has a pic of the boys on the label. Pretty sure I got this one from VinylMania in NY, used to do mail orders from them back in… Read more »
I have been meaning for days to thank you for this one – what a rarity, it your rip is perfection! This mix and the “Dance Mix” are my favorites. I am in total agreement about how CD releases ruins the sound often times. The “Dance Mix” on the Please expanded edition really dulled it down – nothing compares to the Vinyl.
Anyway, thanks again for this great track. I am loving it! PSB!
TIMELESS CLASSIC. Thanks Paul!
You’re welcome Kenneth 🙂
Paul, it would be nice to have a BTG transfer of the 10″ vinyl. I have observed that the sound of the “cd version” from that newspaper is somehow “lifeless”. the vinyl had a lot of “punchy” sound, completely disappeared on the cd-version. Maybe you could do it as well somewhere in the future? (Compare the two and you’ll see what I mean). People must understand that when a track gets finally “the CD-release” it doesn’t necessarily mean it sounds better (or even the same). After some so-called “re-masters” I bought, I was very disappointed by the sound quality. Bass… Read more »
Thank you George E. I always say when done correctly vinyl is far superior to CD. Many folks don’t realize that when they make CD’s they compress the audio which causes loss of fidelity. I’ll see what I can do about the 10″ mix my copy is still sealed. I may be able to open the sticker seal without damaging it so I can rip it and then close it back.
Thank you so much!
You’re welcome Venus De Milo 🙂
The west end girls (shep version) of “DISCO”, is the same as west end (dub).
No not the same. The version on Disco has full vocals the dub does not.
Thanks Paul for this mix version. There are so many fans of PSB, isn´t it? jaja. I´m a fan too..I didn´t know that version of Shep exist, Im just listen “disco” track.
You’re welcome Robert 🙂
Nice, thank you for this gem!
You’re welcome Simsalabim 🙂
A* post, Paul! My world of pop music was forever different since this record. Stephen Hauge really showed his masterclass in transforming a rather ordinary Bobby-O Italo-Disco production into a moody yet atmospheric Hip Hop Synth Pop! I could go on and write a thesis about this, but just a few trivia for now. 1. Parlophone actually didn’t want to release West End Girls as a single. They thought it was rather “dull”. 2. Pet Shop Boys had heard of this New York DJ whiz Shep Pettibone, and phoned him to see if he’d like to remix WEG. Shep has… Read more »
You’re welcome Ric. Thanks for the trivia as always 🙂
The version of A Man Could Get Arrested here, called the 12″ version, is not the same as either the 7″ B-side mix or the 12″ B-side mix that appear on the 2-CD remastered edition of the Please album. It is basically the same as the 12″ B-side mix, with a slightly different opening 20 seconds or so.
Thank you for posting this.
You’re welcome Ally 🙂
This will give away how old I am, but when I first heard this on WBNY back in the 80’s I honestly thought it was Al Stewart singing. 🙂
I can kinda see that Tom 🙂
Thanks for this.
Good old Shep Pettibone. He has a funny name but his mixes were great. I loved his remix of George Michael’s ‘Hard Day’ from his Faith album.
that’s a great mix Music Fan 🙂
Keep the new wave alive! Thanks Paul.
You’re welcome Omar 🙂
New wave? Hmmm.
I’m confused by all these versions!! Is the Shep Pettibone Mastermix not acailable on CD?
I think the b-side is on the Please Further Listening CD isn’t it?
Yes “A Man Could Get Arrested” 12″ Version is on the remastered Please Further Listening CD. However like most remasters the CD is loud and does clip. The Pettibone Mastermix is not on CD as far as I know. The version that appears on “Disco The Remix Album” is an alternate Pettibone mix.
The version of A Man Could Get Arrested here, called the 12″ version, is not the same as either the 7″ B-side mix or the 12″ B-side mix that appear on the 2-CD remastered edition of the Please album. It is basically the same as the 12″ B-side mix, with a slightly different opening 20 seconds or so.
Thank you for posting this.
You’re welcome Ally 🙂
OMG and they just keep coming. xoxox
Enjoy! Reid 🙂
Any other rarities tucked away? I have quite a few myself, but always nice to hear cleaned-up versions!
I do have a few more up my sleeve Jonathan 🙂
Thanks Paul! Any PSB is always welcomed. 🙂
You’re welcome Steve!
Thenk you Paul! I love this song and PShB!!
You’re welcome Spring 🙂
Thanks, Paul! Any chance you have the rare 10″ single/mix?
-Fred
Fred, this was issued on the newspaper giveaway CD “Story (25 Years Of Hits)” in the UK about 3 years ago. There are several copies for sale on Discogs for minimal (ahem) cost. Sorry if you already knew that 🙂
Thanks! This is so funny…right after I posted my request, I went looking AGAIN, for like the 10,000th time on Google, for it. Nothing. I then scooted over to Youtube to listen to it again for old times sake and I found a video where someone mentioned exactly what you did! I just bought it for $4.99 on ebay! Man, I have been looking for the 10″ mix on cd for decades…literally!!
-Fred
Ha! Glad you found one. I wish they’d put other rarities (promo-only remixes, non-UK remixes, etc.) on there, though some of the 7″ edits can be tricky to find on CD.
Do you happen to know if this Shep mix is on cd somewhere or the dub? I haven’t scoured yet so maybe you can save me some time. 🙂
Hi Fred
The Mastermix is available on the Pet Shop Boys “Disco” album. The Dub has yet to appear on any official CD, if I remember correctly.
I should point out, of course, that neither have appeared in 24-bit glory until now. 😉 Thank you Paul!
You’re welcome Dan 🙂
Hi dan the version that is on “Disco” a different Pettibone mix than what is on this 12″ 🙂
Certainly is! Although they both have the “Shep Pettibone Mastermix” tag, the Disco version is longer by almost a minute. However, before you lose any sleep, that extra minute is pretty much a rhythm/bass line build up and once the groove kicks in, the mixes are the same to the end – as far as I can tell anyway. Paul may disagree 😉
In fact, if you’re interested in reconstructing Disco in 24-bit glory (and the 1986 CD could do with a remaster) you’re 50% there, thanks to this, the Love Comes Quickly and Paninaro posts. Nice one Paul 😀
They are not the same to the end. For example, at the end of the Disco mix, the instruments fade away, leaving the vocal and keyboard, while this does not happen in the Mastermix.
You’re right, Ally. My mistake. I wonder why Shep gave 2 different mixes the same title….
The ‘Disco’ version is a mix of the dub version start + mastermix version + different end.
The version in the “Disco” album is NOT this one. This is a different version, NEVER released on CD.
Not aware of an official release, but they’ve been on bootlegs like the hideously expensive Aurally series. The version on Disco is different.
Yes the verrsion on “Disco” is a different mix than the one on this 12″!
Yes Fred I do have the 10″ single 🙂
Nice one. Russell Square used to be a big cruising area. Just saying… 😉
Thanks Jonathan 🙂
I lived in Cartwright Gardens as a student in the early ’90s and Russell Square was my local tube station. I never knew that about the surrounding area – but then I was a naive lad in a big city….
Thank you SO MUCH Paul! I’ve been waiting for this with anticipation! Great way to start my work-week! Hugs!
I hope it turned ot to be worth the wait George E. 🙂
I was 14 years old and starting my vynil collection when faced this single in a shop from my hometown. I was amazed with this tune since the first time i’ve heard it!!! Thanks, Paul. Bring us more PSB singles.
I was around 16 and had just gotten my drivers license. I remember cruising through the streets of Oklahoma City with my windows down listening to KJ 103 FM playing this song in heavy rotation. Great fun!
Paul, any chance to re-up It’s a Sin and Suburbia??? Links are broken.
Thanks Paul!
I am a great fan of PSB and this version is my favorite!
You’re welcome Drake 🙂