Pet Shop Boys are looking back on 35 years of music with a newly remastered singles collection to be released on June 16 in a variety of formats. Synthpop duo Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe released their debut single in 1984 with "West End Girls." The strikingly original song melding catchy pop and irresistible dance rhythms was generally well-received but Tennant and Lowe suspected it hadn't met its full potential. The following year, they re-recorded a new version with producer Stephen Hague for their first studio album, Please. That version shot to No. 1 on both the U.K. Singles Chart and Billboard Hot 100, not to mention the Billboard Dance Club Songs survey and numerous international charts. That re-recorded version kicks off this collection which is due on June 16 from Rhino. SMASH: The Singles 1985-2020 features A-sides only, and arrives in the following editions:
- 3CD;
- 6LP;
- Digital;
- 6LP white vinyl (available exclusively through the Pet Shop Boys' webstore);
- 3 Cassette (available exclusively through the Pet Shop Boys' webstore); and
- 3CD/2BD (adding the complete video collection and numerous extra songs and versions on two Blu-rays).
Following the international success of "West End Girls," the Boys went on to further successes including "It's a Sin" (U.K. No. 1/U.S. No. 9), "What Have I Done to Deserve This" with Dusty Springfield (No. 2 U.K/No. 2 U.S.), a cover of Mark James, Wayne Carson Thompson, and Johnny Christopher's "Always on My Mind" (No. 1 U.K./No. 4 U.S.), "Heart" (No. 1 U.K.), and the U2/Four Seasons mash-up "Where the Streets Have No Name (I Can't Take My Eyes Off You)" (No. 4 U.K./No. 72 U.S.). Though their U.S. pop hits dried up after "Where the Streets Have No Name," Tennant and Lowe continued to score top 20 entries on the U.K. Singles Chart through the first decade of the 2000s, with many of those songs crossing over to the U.S. Dance chart ("I'm with Stupid," "Minimal," the chart-topping pair of "Love, Etc." and "Did You See Me Coming"). More recently, they went to No. 1 Dance in 2016 with "The Pop Kids" and returned to the top ten with "Say it to Me" (2016) and "Dreamland" featuring Years and Years (No. 6, 2019).
Note that this set isn't comprehensive with every version of every PSBs single; that would take many discs. This set mostly features seven-inch single mixes and edits of the single A-sides. There are also some curious omissions, among them 1991's "How Can You Expect to Be Taken Seriously," a double-sided hit with "Where the Streets Have No Name (I Can't Take My Eyes Off You)" that's absent from the audio discs but represented on Blu-ray. Likewise, 2003's "London," 2007's "Integral," and 2019's "Burning the Heather" aren't present in audio form but are on the Blu-ray of additional songs and versions. 2010's "Love Life" is among the other missing tracks. (One-offs such as "Absolutely Fabulous," credited pseudonymously, are also excluded.) Even if this set is more of an anthology than a complete collection, there's plenty to enjoy here.
Pet Shop Boys comment in the press release, "As we start work on a new album, and later this year continue our Dreamworld greatest hits tour, it seems like a good time to take stock and bring together every single we've released." This year, PSB will also publish the 2023 edition of their Annually book. Due on April 14, the 64-page volume includes an exclusive CD EP, Lost, which features four tracks recorded in 2015. The songs will also be available in digital formats.
Pet Shop Boys' Smash: The Singles arrives on June 16 from Rhino. You'll find the track listing and pre-order links below (some Amazon links will go live soon).
Pet Shop Boys, Smash: The Singles 1985-2020 (Rhino, 2023)
6LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3CD/2BD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
6LP White Vinyl: PetShopBoys.com
3 Cassette: PetShopBoys.com
3CD/Digital /3CD + Blu-ray
CD 1
- West End Girls (Parlophone R 6115, 1985)
- Love Comes Quickly (Parlophone R 6116, 1985)
- Opportunities (Let's Make Lots Of Money) (Parlophone R 6129, 1986)
- Suburbia (Parlophone R 6140, 1986)
- It's A Sin (Parlophone R 6158, 1987)
- What Have I Done To Deserve This? (Parlophone R 6163, 1987)
- Rent (Parlophone R 6168, 1987)
- Always On My Mind (Parlophone R 6171, 1987)
- Heart (Parlophone R 6177, 1988)
- Domino Dancing (Parlophone R 6190, 1988)
- Left To My Own Devices (Parlophone R 6198, 1988)
- It's Alright (Parlophone R 6220, 1989)
- So Hard (Parlophone R 6269, 1990)
- Being Boring (Parlophone R 6275, 1990)
- Where The Streets Have No Name/I Can't Take My Eyes Off You (Parlophone R 6285, 1991)
- Jealousy (Parlophone R 6283, 1991)
- DJ Culture (Parlophone R 6301, 1991)
- Was It Worth It? (7" Version) (Parlophone R 6306, 1991)
CD 2
- Can You Forgive Her? (Parlophone R 6348, 1993)
- Go West (Parlophone R 6356, 1993)
- I Wouldn't Normally Do This Kind Of Thing (7" Version) (Parlophone R 6370, 1993)
- Liberation (Parlophone R 6377, 1994)
- Yesterday, When I Was Mad (Single Version) (Parlophone CDRS 6386, 1994)
- Paninaro 95 (Parlophone promotional single RLH 6414, 1995)
- Before (Parlophone promotional single RLH 6431, 1996)
- Se A Vida E (That's The Way Life Is) (Parlophone promotional single RLH 6443. 1996)
- Single Bilingual (Parlophone CDRS 5452, 1996)
- A Red Letter Day (Parlophone CDR 6460, 1997)
- Somewhere (Parlophone promotional single RLH 6470, 1997)
- I Don't Know What You Want But I Can't Give It Any More (Parlophone CDRS 6523, 1999)
- New York City Boy (US Radio Edit) (Parlophone U.S. 35013-2, 1999)
- You Only Tell Me You Love Me When You're Drunk (Parlophone CDRS 6533, 2000)
- Home and Dry (Parlophone CDRS 6572, 2002)
- I Get Along (Radio Edit) (Parlophone CDRS 6581, 2002)
- Miracles (Radio Edit) (included on Parlophone (Japan) TOCP-40165, 2003)
- Flamboyant (7" Mix) (Parlophone CDR 6629, 2004)
CD 3
- I'm With Stupid (Parlophone R 6690, 2006)
- Minimal (Radio Edit) (Parlophone CDR 6708, 2006)
- Numb (Single Edit) (Parlophone R 6723. 2006)
- Love Etc. (Parlophone CDR 6765, 2009)
- Did You See Me Coming? (Parlophone CDR 6772, 2009)
- It Doesn't Often Snow At Christmas (New Version) (Parlophone CDR 6784, 2009)
- Together (Ultimate Mix) (Parlophone 947 6912, 2010)
- Winner (Parlophone CDR 6869, 2012)
- Leaving (Parlophone R 6879, 2012)
- Memory Of The future (New Single Mix) (Parlophone CDR 6889, 2012)
- Vocal (Radio Edit) (X2 CD promotional single, no cat. no., 2013)
- Love Is A Bourgeois Construct (Night-time Radio Edit) (X2 0004 DL2, 2013)
- Thursday (feat. Example) (Radio Edit) (X2 0004 CD1, 2013)
- The Pop Kids (Radio Edit) (X2 0009 CD 1, 2016)
- Twenty-Something (Radio Edit) (X2 0011 CD 1, 2016)
- Say It To Me (New Radio Mix) (X2 0012 CD 1, 2016)
- Dreamland (feat. Years & Years) (X2 0017 CD 1, 2019)
- Monkey Business (Radio Edit) (X2 0020 CD 1, 2020)
- I Don't Wanna (Radio Edit) (X2 0023 CD 1, 2020)
Blu-ray 1 - The Complete Videos: 1985-2020
- West End Girls
- Love Comes Quickly
- Opportunities (Let's Make Lots Of Money) (Version 2)
- Suburbia
- It's A Sin
- What Have I Done To Deserve This?
- Rent
- Always On My Mind
- Heart
- Domino Dancing
- Left To My Own Devices
- It's Alright
- So Hard
- Being Boring
- Where The Streets Have No Name/I Can't Take My Eyes Off You
- Jealousy
- DJ Culture
- Was It Worth It? (7" Version)
- Can You Forgive Her?
- Go West
- I Wouldn't Normally Do This Kind Of Thing
- Liberation
- Yesterday, When I Was Mad
- Paninaro '95
- Before
- Se A Vida E (That's The Way Life Is)
- Single Bilingual
- A Red Letter Day
- Somewhere
- I Don't Know What You Want But I Can't Give It Any More
- New York City Boy
- You Only Tell Me You Love Me When You're Drunk
- Home and Dry
- I Get Along/E-Mail
- Miracles (Radio Edit)
- Flamboyant (7" Mix)
- I'm With Stupid
- Minimal (Radio Edit)
- Numb
- Love Etc.
- Did You See Me Coming?
- It Doesn't Often Snow At Christmas (Live At The O2 Arena, 2009)
- Together
- Winner
- Leaving
- Memory of The Future (Official Lyric Video)
- Vocal (Radio Edit)
- Thursday (Feat. Example) (Radio Edit)
- The Pop Kids (Official Lyric Video)
- Twenty-Something
- Dreamland (Feat. Years & Years) (Official Lyric Video)
- Monkey Business
- I Don't Wanna (Animated Lyric Video)
Blu-ray 2 - The Extras
- Opportunities (Let's Make Lots Of Money) (Original Version)
- Paninaro (1986 Video)
- Domino Dancing (Extended Version)
- So Hard (Extended Version)
- How Can You Expect To Be Taken Seriously?
- Go West (Extended Version)
- London
- Integral
- All over The World (Live At The O2 Arena, 2009)
- Invisible
- Axis
- On Social Media (Official Lyric Video)
- Burning The Heather (Official Lyric Video)
6LP Vinyl:
Side 1
- West End Girls
- Love Comes Quickly
- Opportunities (Let's Make Lots Of Money)
- Suburbia
Side 2
- It's A Sin
- What Have I Done To Deserve This?
- Rent
- Always On My Mind
- Heart
Side 3
- Domino Dancing
- Left To My Own Devices
- It's Alright
- So Hard
Side 4
- Being Boring
- Where The Streets Have No Name/I Can't Take My Eyes Off You
- Jealousy
- DJ Culture
- Was It Worth It? (7" Version)
Side 5
- Can You Forgive Her?
- Go West
- I Wouldn't Normally Do This Kind Of Thing (7" Version)
- Liberation
Side 6
- Yesterday, When I Was Mad (Single Version)
- Paninaro 95
- Before
- Se A Vida E (That's The Way Life Is)
- Single Bilingual
Side 7
- A Red Letter Day
- Somewhere
- I Don't Know What You Want But I Can't Give It Any More
- New York City Boy (US Radio Edit)
Side 8
- You Only Tell Me You Love Me When You're Drunk
- Home and Dry
- I Get Along (Radio Edit)
- Miracles (Radio Edit)
- Flamboyant (7" Mix)
Side 9
- I'm With Stupid
- Minimal (Radio Edit)
- Numb (Single Edit)
- Love Etc.
- Did You See Me Coming?
Side 10
- It Doesn't Often Snow At Christmas (New Version)
- Together (Ultimate Mix)
- Winner
- Leaving
- Memory Of The Future (New Single Mix)
Side 11
- Vocal (Radio Edit)
- Love Is A Bourgeois Construct (Night-time Radio Edit)
- Thursday (Feat. Example) (Radio Edit)
- The Pop Kids (Radio Edit)
Side 12
- Twenty-Something (Radio Edit)
- Say It To Me (New Radio Mix)
- Dreamland (feat. Years & Years)
- Monkey Business (Radio Edit)
- I Don't Wanna (Radio Edit)
Ricardo Amaral says
What a waste of an opportunity to do a definitive collection of PSB singles and hits.
Joe Mac Pherson says
I was also hoping this collection would cover every PSB single, including the A and B sides and bonus tracks on the CD singles. Truly worthy of a deluxe multi-disc box set with an informative book. Perhaps additional material. However, I'll pass on this CD set.
Disappointed, once more
Disillusioned, encore...
Brian from Canada says
Disc one is Discography. Disappointing – most fans already have that!
The Thorn says
I'd be interested in the blurays if they were available separately.
Mike says
I'm happy about it, and I'm someone who already has the individual vinyl singles, CD singles, other anthologies, etc.
Their singles, particularly the Disc 3 ones, deserve all the exposure they can get.
Bill says
I have the PopArt compilation from a few years back. Not counting bluray items, how does it compare to this new release? At first glance it does not appear to be all that great an improvement. Am I wrong?
GAC says
I am really looking forward to this. I lost my copy of Discography a long time ago and thought about getting another copy, so this is great timing. Yes, I have other versions, but I appreciate the scope of this collection and can only assume the 2023 remaster will be excellent! Do I need this? No. But I will enjoy it none the less.
Alexis says
The last single video The Lost Room is missing, recently released on April 14, 2023, all record labels do a bad business with respect to record creations and remastered deluxe edition compilations, I am also critical when it comes to remastering with different labels, always they usually listen to the remastered ones in a very different way in the settings and sounds achieved... why isn't there a standard sound setting in all the record labels? 2023 came out mastered and in comparison to the 2007 album it sounds much better or sometimes has the same sound...all of this is bad business and technical traps...I'm an amateur and I study technical sound, which gives me a lot of anguish when discovering this from many years ago .... I hope that all this compilation of PSB IS LISTENED JUST LIKE THE 2018 REMASTER
Robert says
I'm having trouble finding anywhere listing JUST the 3 CD's. Anyone know if it's an exclusive somewhere?
Joe Marchese says
It's available directly from PSBs' online store as well as from Amazon U.K.; the Amazon U.S. listing seems to have gone dormant. Shipping can be high, but Amazon U.K. will reliably deliver to the U.S. Hope this helps!
Bill says
Amazon Canada shows it being released at $53 (Canadian) on June 16th.
David says
Absolutely idiotic to omit Absolutely Fabulous. It was a top 10 hit. I'd have ordered it had it included this. I have PopArt which I love and I'd have liked an updated version, but not if they still insist on ignoring Absolutely Fabulous.
Robert Lett says
Just got mine, pretty disappointed. Not even a booklet of any kind. So cheap. Did I get a dud missing the booklet or is this everyone else too (I'm speaking of the 3 CD version.) Does the more deluxe set w the DVDs have a booklet or anything?
Joe Marchese says
The deluxe set has a nice, 60-page squarebound booklet with track-by-track quotes from Neil and Chris. I'm sorry to hear there's nothing similar in the 3CD edition.
Robert Lett says
Thanks!
jbirdp says
I never receive received my copy of the blu ray replacement. 😖
jbirdp says
I never receive received my copy of the blu ray replacement. 😖. Has anyone else in the U.S. received theirs?