Pet Shop Boys - West End Girls
Genre:
Electronic
Style:
Synth-pop
Year:
1984
Notes:
The editions here comprise the original releases of "West End Girls" as produced by Bobby Orlando. It was a minor club hit when first released on indie labels in April 1984. It was also blended with a cover of Corey Hart's "Sunglasses At Night" to create a medley called "West End - Sunglasses".
The original production's success was eclipsed by the fully re-recorded, Stephen Hague-produced version, first released in late 1985 on Parlophone and other EMI-related labels. That version became a global chart-topping hit in late '85 and early '86.
Remixes and reissues of the Bobby Orlando production followed, notably in 1986 and 1992. There's also a double-A-sided pressing of One More Chance / West End Girls.
The original production's success was eclipsed by the fully re-recorded, Stephen Hague-produced version, first released in late 1985 on Parlophone and other EMI-related labels. That version became a global chart-topping hit in late '85 and early '86.
Remixes and reissues of the Bobby Orlando production followed, notably in 1986 and 1992. There's also a double-A-sided pressing of One More Chance / West End Girls.
Versions
| Title, Format | Label | Cat# | Country | Year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West End Girls (12") | Epic | TA 4292 | UK | 1984 | |
| West End Girls (12") | ChanneL Records | CHAN 12-19 | Belgium | 1984 | |
| West End Girls (12") | Jonathan | ATO 12-27042 | France | 1984 | |
| West End Girls (12", Promo) | Power Records (7) | PXD 023 | Canada | 1984 | |
| West End Girls (12", Single) | ZYX Records | ZYX 5154 | Germany | 1984 | |
| West End Girls (12", Single) | ZYX Records | ZYX 5154 | Germany | 1984 | |
| West End Girls (7") | ZYX Records | ZYX 1099-7 | Germany | 1984 | |
| West End Girls (7") | ChanneL Records | CHAN 45-19 | Benelux | 1984 | |
| West End Girls (7", Promo) | Epic | A 4292 | UK | 1984 | |
| West End Girls (7", Promo) | Power Records (7) | PX7 004 | Canada | 1984 | |
| West End Girls (7", Single) | Epic | A 4292 | UK | 1984 | |
| West End Girls (7", Single) | Jonathan, Atoll Music | ATO 27042 | France | 1984 | |
| West End Girls '86 (12") | ZYX Records | ZYX 5391 | Germany | 1986 | |
| West End Girls '86 (7", Single) | ZYX Records | ZYX 1192 | Germany | 1986 | |
| West End Girls (Mixes) (CD, Maxi) | ZYX Music | ZYX 20227-2 | Germany | 1992 | |
| West End Girls (CD, Maxi) | Golden-Dance-Classics | GDC 2020-8 | Germany | 1995 | |
| West End Girls (CD, Maxi, RE) | Golden-Dance-Classics | GDC 2020-8 | Germany | 2001 |
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Reviews & Discussion
referencing West End Girls, 7", Single, A 4292
This is where it all has started. The very first version of the fabulous PSB' West End Girls, which smashed the charts two years later. If you own this particular edition, it should be nowadays quite valuable.
referencing West End Girls, 12", Single, ZYX 5154
The original recording and mix of West End Girls is clearly rougher and more direct than the Parlophone version still present in the airwaves around the globe today. To me, the Bobby Orlando original sounds just a little bit too lazy, with the guitar coming in towards the end sounding that much out of tune that it even hurts an ear quite used to disharmonic music as mine.
The reason why I own this 12” is definitely its B-side, a ‘theme’ song which turned out to be totally atypical for the Pet Shop Boys, yet remains one of their greatest dancefloor tunes, and here the roughness of the sound is appreciated! It’s at relatively slow speed but has a driving electro hip hop beat; the vocals are rudimentary, heavily vocoded and combined with sampled shrieks and noises. Italo-disco and electro funk influences stick out.
The reason why I own this 12” is definitely its B-side, a ‘theme’ song which turned out to be totally atypical for the Pet Shop Boys, yet remains one of their greatest dancefloor tunes, and here the roughness of the sound is appreciated! It’s at relatively slow speed but has a driving electro hip hop beat; the vocals are rudimentary, heavily vocoded and combined with sampled shrieks and noises. Italo-disco and electro funk influences stick out.
referencing West End Girls, 12", Promo, PXD 023
The best Pet Shop Boys song? One of the most important productions by Bobby O? This could definitely be. That initial string sound seems to almost permeate the subconscious, where as soon as you hear it, you know. A great bassline that holds the song together and in some ways leads the song. A great slice of 80s proto house, in my opinion and it goes over well at almost any jam. Essential!!!
referencing West End Girls (Mixes), CD, Maxi, ZYX 20227-2
ZYX re-released and recycled the PSB tunes available to them many times, but this one at least is worth getting. The Montreal mixes are decent, and the James Brown mix is particularly bizarre.