Tag: Julian Mendelsohn

December 11, 2025

Pet Shop Boys – Was It Worth It? (US 12″) (1991)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

By the end of 1991, the Pet Shop Boys had firmly established themselves as synth-pop icons. Their first greatest hits compilation, Discography: The Complete Singles Collection, not only celebrated their decade-long run of chart-topping singles but also introduced two new songs: “DJ Culture” and “Was It Worth It?”. Released on 9 December 1991 by Parlophone, “Was It Worth It?” became the second and final single from the compilation, peaking at number 24 on the UK Singles Chart. While it ended a streak of 16 consecutive top 20 hits dating back to West End Girls in 1985, the song remains a standout for its reflective optimism and danceable production.

Recorded at Sarm West with production group Brothers in Rhythm, the song was a collaborative effort. Neil Tennant began writing “Was It Worth It?” before their fourth studio album, Behaviour (1990), and Chris Lowe contributed the memorable chorus. Steve Anderson of Brothers in Rhythm added a piano part that Tennant likened to Black Box’s 1989 hit “Ride on Time”. The track features a call-and-response format, with backing vocals from Tessa Niles, Carol Kenyon, and Ghida de Palma, giving it a layered, uplifting feel.

Lyrically, Tennant described the song as “a reaffirmation of the worth of love, an ‘I am what I am’ sort of song.” He called it “a very gay song. Very gay positive. It’s basically saying: if I had to do it all again, I wouldn’t change a single thing.” Its upbeat message and celebratory tone make it one of the Pet Shop Boys’ most affirming singles, even if it didn’t achieve their usual chart success.

The B-side, “Miserablism”, produced by Harold Faltermeyer and mixed by Julian Mendelsohn, was originally intended for Behaviour but was removed late in the album’s process. Meanwhile, the single’s cover art is a charming nod to fan creativity: dolls of Tennant and Lowe crafted by Japanese fan Toshima Tada, holding bouquets of red roses reminiscent of the Behaviour album cover. The 7-inch back cover featured yellow roses, while the 12-inch opted for a blue background.

The accompanying music video, directed by Eric Watson, embraced a playful, theatrical energy. Shot in a club setting, it combined footage of the duo performing at Heaven with scenes of a vibrant, drag-filled crowd. Inspired by films like Saturday Night Fever and Hairspray, as well as the moveable clubnight Kinky Gerlinky, the video showcased extravagant costumes, dance, and pure fun—Chris Lowe famously appears in a towering orange Kenzo hat, doing absolutely nothing while the rest of the club revels.

Although “Was It Worth It?” didn’t break into the top 20, it remains an essential part of the Pet Shop Boys’ catalog: a perfectly crafted, celebratory pop song that affirms love, identity, and the joy of dancing through life’s choices.

SIDE A:
Was It Worth It? (12″ Version) 7:12
Producer – Brothers In Rhythm, Pet Shop Boys
Remix – Pet Shop Boys

Was It Worth It? (Dub Version) 5:12
Engineer – Paul Wright
Instrumentation By, Programmed By – Philip Kelsey
Producer – Brothers In Rhythm, Pet Shop Boys
Remix – Dave Seaman, Philip Kelsey

SIDE B:
Miserablism (Electro Mix) 5:35
Producer – Harold Faltermeyer, Pet Shop Boys
Producer [Additional Production], Remix – Moby

Miserablism (Short Version) 4:11
Mixed By – Julian Mendelsohn
Producer – Harold Faltermeyer, Pet Shop Boys

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: EMI Records USA – VNR-56243, EMI Records USA – VNR 56243
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1991
Genre: Electronic
Style: House, Techno, Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Design – Farrow*, PSB*, 3a*
Photography By – Robert Shackleton
Written-By – Pet Shop Boys

NOTES:
A2: Remixed for Creative Theives Conglomerate/DMC.

Printed in the U.S.A.

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND

THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
DAC: 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:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 25 (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

**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!

Password: burningtheground

You can help show your support for this blog by donating using PayPal. I appreciate your help.

August 18, 2025

Paul McCartney – Press (US 12″) (1986)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

In July 1986, Paul McCartney returned to the pop charts with “Press”, the lead single from his sixth solo studio album, Press to Play. Released on July 14, 1986, the song marked a distinct step into mid-80s production for McCartney, pairing his classic songwriting style with glossy, synth-driven textures and a bright pop sheen.

Produced by Hugh Padgham, who was well-known for his work with Genesis, The Police, and Phil Collins, “Press” blended jangly guitars, drum programming, and layered keyboards to create a contemporary sound. The song’s lyrics are a lighthearted metaphor, comparing love and communication to the simple act of pressing a button.

Chart Performance

“Press” had a modest chart run compared to McCartney’s earlier hits. In the U.S., it reached #21 on the Billboard Hot 100 and climbed to #10 on the Adult Contemporary chart, while in the U.K., it stalled at #25 on the Singles Chart. Though not one of his biggest successes, it remains a curious and charming entry in his catalog, capturing McCartney’s willingness to experiment with the evolving sounds of the 1980s.

Music Video

The “Press” music video by Paul McCartney was filmed entirely on the London Underground. Specifically, McCartney takes the tube from South Kensington to Piccadilly Circus. The video, directed by Philip Davey, features McCartney singing the song while traveling on the Jubilee line.

✨ While “Press” may not hold the same iconic status as McCartney’s earlier solo hits, it stands as an underrated gem from his 80s output—playful, catchy, and very much of its era. For fans of 12-inch singles and synth-infused pop, it’s a fun one to revisit.

SIDE A:
Press (Video Soundtrack) 4:44
It’s Not True 5:47

SIDE B:
Hanglide 5:16
Press (Dub Mix) 6:29

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1986	Press	U.S. Billboard Hot 100	#21

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Capitol Records – V-15235, MPL (2) – V-15235
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single
Country: US
Released: Jul 16, 1986
Genre: Rock
Style: Pop Rock

CREDITS:

Lacquer Cut By – Wally*
Mixed By – Bert Bevans (tracks: A1, B2), Julian Mendelsohn (tracks: A2), Matt* (tracks: B1), Mac* (tracks: B1), Steve Forward (tracks: A1, B2)
Producer – Hugh Padgham
Producer, Written-By – Paul McCartney

NOTES:
Tracks A1 and B2 are different mixes from the album version.
Track A2 was issued as a CD bonus track.
Track B1 was issued as a non-album track.

Buy the 12″ from DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for burningtheground.net

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!

Password: burningtheground

You can help show your support for this blog by donating using PayPal. I appreciate your help.

August 15, 2024

The Associates – Fever In The Shadows (US 12″ Promo)

Burning The Ground Exclusive 1990

“Fever” was the first single taken from the fifth studio LP “Wild And Lonely” by Scottish synth-pop act The Associates the album was the fourth to be released during lead vocalist Billy MacKenzie’s lifetime. Australian record producer Julian Mendelsohn produced the album, and single. “Fever” peaked at #81 on the UK Top 40 singles chart respectively.

The LP Wild and Lonely was the last album MacKenzie recorded under the name The Associates, as from this point his releases would go out under his name.

SIDE A:
Fever In The Shadows 7:30

SIDE B:
Fever 4:49
Something’s Got To Give 4:40

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Charisma – DMD 1587
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1990
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop, New Wave

CREDITS:

Producer, Mixed By – Julian Mendelsohn

NOTES:
Promotional Copy – Not For Sale

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net

THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon 2M Black PnP MkII
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
DAC: 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:
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

**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!

Password: burningtheground

You can help show your support for this blog by donating using PayPal. I appreciate your help.

May 10, 2024

Pet Shop Boys – Where The Streets Have No Name (I Can’t Take My Eyes Off You) / How Can You Expect To Be Taken Seriously? (UK 7″)

Burning The Ground Exclusive 1991

“Where the Streets Have No Name (I Can’t Take My Eyes Off You)” is a song by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys. The song is a medley of U2’s “Where the Streets Have No Name” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”, a 1967 song by Frankie Valli, though in an arrangement informed by the 1982 disco version of the song by the Boys Town Gang rather than the original. The song accompanied “How Can You Expect to Be Taken Seriously?”, the third single from their fourth studio album, Behaviour (1990), as a double A-side in the United Kingdom (both singles were released separately in the United States). Released in March 1991 by Parlophone, the song became the duo’s 15th consecutive top-20 entry in the UK, peaking at number four on the UK Singles Chart.

The single’s other A-side, “How Can You Expect to Be Taken Seriously?”, criticizes the insincere humanitarian messages of a number of pop stars during the 1980s and the institutionalization of rock and roll. The band noted that “one song is about rock stars so to have a U2 song with it serves as a further comment.”

Also of note the version of “How Can You Expect to Be Taken Seriously?” is the “7” Perfect Attitude Mix” but not the same version that appeared on the U.S. CD Single this version is also used for the music video containing the “Gotta Have Fun” samples this mix only appears on the UK 7″ single, and the video. The mix title does not appear on the sleeve or record label.

SIDE A:
Where The Streets Have No Name (I Can’t Take My Eyes Off You) (7″ Edit) 4:32
Engineer – Ren Swan
Engineer [Assistant Engineer] – Steve Fitzmaurice
Guitar – J.J. Belle
Producer – Julian Mendelsohn, Pet Shop Boys
Sequenced By – Dominic Clarke
Vocals [Additional Vocals] – Tessa Niles
Written-By [I Can’t Take My Eyes Off You] – Bob Gaudio/Bob Crewe
Written-By [Where The Streets Have No Name] – Clayton, Evan, Mullen, Hewson*

SIDE AA:
How Can You Expect To Be Taken Seriously? 4:09
Mixed By – Brothers In Rhythm, Paul Wright
Mixed By [Assisted By] – Richard Edwards
Producer – Harold Faltermeyer, Pet Shop Boys
Remix, Producer [Post-production] – Brothers In Rhythm
Written-By – Tennant/Lowe*

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1991	Where The Streets Have No Name (I Can’t Take My Eyes Off You)	U.S. Billboard Hot 100	#72
1991	Where The Streets Have No Name (I Can’t Take My Eyes Off You)	U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music Club Play	#4

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Parlophone – R 6285, Parlophone – R6285, Parlophone – 2042547
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM, Single, Stereo
Country: UK
Released: Mar 11, 1991
Genre: Electronic, Pop
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Design – Mark Farrow, PSB*, 3a*
Photography By – Lawrence Watson

NOTES:
A: listed as “7” Edit” only on the record label.

MANUFACTURED IN THE UK BY EMI RECORDS LIMITED.

Buy the 7″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!

Password: burningtheground

You can help show your support for this blog by donating using PayPal. I appreciate your help.