Essential (Pet Shop Boys album)

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Essential
Compilation album by
Released31 March 1998
Recorded1985–1990
GenreElectropop
LabelEMI/Capitol
ProducerHarold Faltermeyer
Nicholas Froome
Stephen Hague
Trevor Horn
David Jacobs
J. J. Jeczalik
Lewis Martineé
Pet Shop Boys
Pet Shop Boys chronology
Bilingual
(1996)
Essential
(1998)
Nightlife
(1999)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[1]
Pitchfork4.2/10[2]

Essential is a 1998 compilation album by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys, released as a limited edition in the United States by EMI/Capitol and in Japan by Toshiba/EMI.[3] Produced for only six months, early promotional versions of the album had the title Early, as the tracks featured were part of Pet Shop Boys' early catalogue.[4] The album contained remixes as well as album tracks and B-sides. The CD booklet contains an essay written by music journalist and Pet Shop Boys biographer Chris Heath.

While several of the selections had not been available on compact disc prior to its original release, as of 2018, it remains the only official CD appearance of the 7" version of "That's My Impression" (all other reissues and compilations using the "Disco" mix.)

Track listing[edit]

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Domino Dancing" (Alternative version)Neil Tennant, Chris LoweLewis Martineé, Pet Shop Boys4:42
2."West End Girls" (Dance Mix)Neil Tennant, Chris LoweStephen Hague6:29
3."Opportunities (Let's Make Lots of Money)" (1985 7" version)Neil Tennant, Chris LoweJ. J. Jeczalik, Nicholas Froome3:48
4."Paninaro" (1986 7" version)Neil Tennant, Chris LowePet Shop Boys4:40
5."That's My Impression" (7" version)Neil Tennant, Chris LowePet Shop Boys4:48
6."We All Feel Better in the Dark" (Extended Mix)Neil Tennant, Chris LowePet Shop Boys6:47
7."It Couldn't Happen Here" (LP version)Neil Tennant, Chris Lowe, Ennio MorriconePet Shop Boys, David Jacobs5:20
8."It's Alright" (7" version)Sterling VoidTrevor Horn4:20
9."Left to My Own Devices" (7" version)Neil Tennant, Chris LoweTrevor Horn, Stephen Lipson4:46
10."In the Night" (Remix)Neil Tennant, Chris LowePet Shop Boys6:28
11."Two Divided by Zero" (LP version)Neil Tennant, Bobby OrlandoStephen Hague3:36
12."Love Comes Quickly" (Dance Mix)Neil Tennant, Chris Lowe, Stephen HagueStephen Hague6:48
13."Being Boring" (Extended version)Neil Tennant, Chris LowePet Shop Boys, Harold Faltermeyer10:40

Personnel[edit]

  • Evren Göknar - Mastering Engineer

Certifications[edit]

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States 39,000[5]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Allmusic, Pet Shop Boys Essential
  2. ^ Mohan, Aparna (31 March 1998). "Pet Shop Boys: Essential". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 22 January 2001. Retrieved 31 July 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  3. ^ Essential Japanese release
  4. ^ Pet Shop Boys official website, Essential information
  5. ^ "Ask Billboard". Billboard.