BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1985
“West End Girls” is a song by the English pop duo Pet Shop Boys. Written by Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe, the song was released twice as a single. The song’s lyrics are concerned with class and the pressures of inner-city life which were inspired partly 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 new version was released, reaching number one in the United Kingdom and the United States in 1986.
In December 1985, Parlophone Records in the UK released a limited edition 10″ with an untitled remix of West End Girls, commonly referred to as the 10″ mix. Packaged in a circular fold-out picture sleeve, sealed with a circular yellow picture sticker that identifies it as a “collectors edition”.
This version of “West End Girls” is the basis of the shorter version found on Razormaid Records Class X #3 CD. However, Razormaid was not responsible for the original version found on this 10″.
The version of “A Man Could Get Arrested” is Bobby Orlando’s production from the regular 12″ B-side.
SIDE A:
West End Girls (10″ Mix) 7:00
Engineer – David Jacob
Producer – Stephen Hague
SIDE B:
A Man Could Get Arrested 4:19
Producer – Bobby Orlando, Pet Shop Boys
Remix [Uncredited] – Frank Roszak, Pet Shop Boys
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Parlophone – 10R 6115
Format: Vinyl, 10″, Single, Limited Edition
Country: UK
Released: Dec 1985
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop
CREDITS:
Artwork [Uncredited] – Chris Lowe, XL Design
Photography By – Eric Watson (3)
Written-By – Tennant/Lowe*
NOTES:
Manufactured in the UK by EMI Records Ltd
Find the 10″ 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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I wonder what is the real 10″ version, this one or the Story (2009) version…
MANY THANX 🙂
Thank you Paul. This is pure gold. Absolute gold. This song is where my PSB adventure began. Amazing, thank you for opening your rare record and playing it for us. You are a musical hero.
Thank you so much Paul. The Pet Shop Boys’ “West End Girls” is my absolute favorite song ever. I have never heard this remix before. You have no idea how much happiness you bring to people by generously sharing your priceless music collection. Since corona, I have become a shut in (my choice). Listening to your beautiful music is my one connection to the happy times I had dancing with my friends. God bless you.
IMO , the best version of West End Girls. Thx Paul for this fantastic quality rip.
You’ve made my day again, Sir. I’m trying to round up all the Pet Shop Boys I own and have downloaded. This 10 inch mix is a must. Many thanks.
Thanks Paul, what curious packaging, I don’t think I’ve ever seen (or heard) this before.
You’re welcome, Jermajesty its one of my favorite collectibles 🙂
Not only are you pushing all of the classic 80’s buttons, Paul – but a 10″ PSB mix I’ve never even heard of. Wow! Based on what Song and Dance said below, I can’t wait to hear this. EDIT: Listened to it and LOVE it. The crispness of your copy and the fullness of the vinyl are outstanding. Clearly a well-cleaned, pristine, cared-for copy. And this one doesn’t come cheap on Discog with a NM selling for $195! Great work! At the risk of blasphemy, I get a kick out of Suburbia done by the West End Girls tribute band.… Read more »
Thank you, dugn very well said 🙂
Paul,
thanks a lot for another Pet Shop Boys Gem. I love their 10″ UK Releases. They were hard to come by back in the Day in Germany.
What a great transfer.
Stefan
Thank you, Stefan 🙂
Incredible Paul! And quite humbling too in that you generously shared your sealed copy with all of us. What a touching honor! I’m also especially stimulated because this is the version used by Razormaid for their mix. While in social isolation I’ve been lately getting back into listening to their Class X series because it so much reminds me of you Paul and your Burning The Ground. I’ve always loved hearing the original mixes of songs to see how Joseph and Art used the parts for their versions. Thanks so much Paul for your touching generosity! You are a Prince… Read more »
Thank you so much, Jeff 🙂
Mark Farrow, the designer for most PSB stuff, told when interviewed: “The first thing I worked on for them [Pet Shop Boys] was a 10 inch remix sleeve for “West End Girls”.
I suppose this one is that 10”.
Cheers for the rip, Paul. I never commented here but am a regular visitor of your blog. I appreciate deeply what you do for all of us.
Glad to see you comment Alexey. Enjoy! 🙂
I LOVE the 10″ mix, Paul. It´s my favourite remix version. Funnily enough, I do not own a copy. Time to buy it 😉 And the flipside is one of my favourite PSB b-sides. So all in all, a wonderful treat by you. Thank you very much!
Its a bit pricey now days. This is the first time I ever played my copy 🙂
Thanks Paul. This is the best remix of WEG
You’re welcome, Omar. I agree with you 🙂