SummersRadio™ Classic Remix! Pet Shop Boys - 'West End Girls' (Dance Mix) Perhaps my expectations were too high for a new remix of this song - perhaps not. A bit of history...
'West End Girls' had a lengthy shelf life - nearly 3 years! It was released twice - first in April 1984 produced by Bobby Orlando, becoming a minor club hit. Then in 1985 they signed with EMI and re-recorded the song with producer Stephen Hague for their debut album 'Please' and re-released it. It reached number 1 in the U.K. later that year, and then it went on to hit number 1 in the U.S. in the spring of 1986 and stayed on the chart for 20 weeks. The lyrics were inspired by T.S. Elliot's poem 'The Waste Land' and the song used what was then new sampling technology with the E-mu Emulator keyboard.
This is the definitive remix - the 'Dance Mix' which came out on 12" the second time around in 1985. The equally memorable video - shot around London - was nominated for the Best New Artist Video at the 1986 MTV Video Music Awards, but lost out to A-ha's groundbreaking animated video for 'Take On Me'. I always remember those mannequin children and the sound of the street at the beginning - it sets the mood instantly. (this HQ video has been re-edited to fit this extended version)
The song still sounds as sleek and modern as it did over 25 years ago - so yeah it would be pretty tough to top this mix - it's pretty much perfect! I love the sound of the drumming and the cowbell - when I play it, I slow it way down - stoner house™ style - to make it even more gallopy (new word!) and hypnotic! I love this song/ remix... can you tell? :) Enjoy...
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