Heart (Pet Shop Boys song)

Last updated

"Heart"
HeartPetShopBoys.jpg
Single by Pet Shop Boys
from the album Actually
B-side "I Get Excited (You Get Excited Too)"
Released21 March 1988 (1988-03-21) [1]
Genre Synth-pop
Length
  • 3:57 (album version)
  • 4:16 (7-inch version)
  • 8:55 (12-inch version)
Label Parlophone
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Pet Shop Boys singles chronology
"Always on My Mind"
(1987)		"Heart"
(1988)		"Domino Dancing"
(1988)

"Heart" is a song by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys from their second studio album, Actually (1987). It was released as the album's fourth and final single on 21 March 1988 by Parlophone. The song topped the UK Singles Chart for three weeks in April 1988, becoming the duo's fourth and final chart-topper to date in the United Kingdom. [2] Its music video was directed by Jack Bond and filmed in Yugoslavia. The group had initially written the song for Madonna, though they never asked her to record it, instead keeping it for themselves. [3]

Contents

Background

Written by Chris Lowe and Neil Tennant, "Heart" was the fourth and final single from the duo's second studio album, Actually . A new mix different to the album version was released as a single in March 1988, ascending to the top of the charts to become the duo's fourth—and, to date, last—UK number-one single. It was also successful across Europe.

The genesis of the song goes back to the sessions for the duo's first album Please in early 1986 with Shep Pettibone. Originally, the duo had planned to offer it to hi-NRG singer Hazell Dean [4] or—more notoriously—Madonna, but they ultimately kept it for themselves. [3] The duo's version of the song was intended to be used in the Steven Spielberg-produced film Innerspace , but the dance sequence it was intended for was at the wrong tempo for the song. The song was originally called "Heartbeat", but was changed after Culture Club drummer Jon Moss announced the formation of a group named Heartbeat UK.

The lyrics are more traditional than most Pet Shop Boys songs, being a straightforward declaration of love—a characteristic common in many pop songs. On the commentary of the Pet Shop Boys' live video album Cubism , Tennant reveals that the "oh – ah – oh'oh ah" refrain which repeats throughout the song features the vocals of himself, Pavarotti and Wendy Smith (of Prefab Sprout).

According to Tennant they were inspired by the song "I Like You" by Phyllis Nelson, which was produced by Shep Pettibone, who did a remix of "Heart". [4]

The album version of "Heart" was recorded with producer Andy Richards, and was mixed by Julian Mendelsohn. The single remix is an edit of Richards' version with the use of wah-wah guitar, giving the song more of a 1970s sound.

When included on the retrospective PopArt: The Hits collection, the album version of the track was used for the UK release rather than the hit single mix, the reason for this is unknown. The single mix was included on the US release.

Critical reception

In his review of the single, Jonh Wilde from Melody Maker felt that "after their lugubrious reading of "Always on My Mind", things diminish further with this sour self-parody." [5] Jonathan Romney from NME wrote, "Obviously, the Boys' injection of their vital juices into Patsy Kensit ["I'm Not Scared"] has left them quite drained poor things. This is their limpest single yet. The strange thing is, if this record were by New Order, it'd have the same banal robotic beat, the same banal lyrics, the same bored-witless singing, and it'd be universally acclaimed as a transcendental masterpiece. And it would be too." [6] Johnny Dee from Record Mirror named the song Single of the Week, adding, "'Heart' is immediate modern, compact and remixed from the album, actually, it's what the kids want, it's what I want! This 45 contains every gimmick the Petties have toyed with since 'West End Girls'. Neil and Chris — you are the Marks & Spencer of pop music, the high street gods of the Eighties." [7] The magazine's James Hamilton described the song as a "jittery tuneful Eurobeat throbber" in his dance column. [8]

Music video

Directed by Jack Bond, director of the band's 1987 film It Couldn't Happen Here , the music video for "Heart" is based on the 1922 film Nosferatu . The video opens with Tennant and his bride (played by model Danijela Čolić Prižmić) being driven to a castle with Lowe as his chauffeur. As he goes to bed with his bride, the vampire, played by Ian McKellen, spies them. Later, he seduces the bride and bites her. Finally, Lowe drives Nosferatu and his bride away, leaving Tennant to stare bitterly after them from a castle window. The video was shot in Mokrice Castle, Slovenia, then one of the Yugoslavia republics. [4]

Track listings

  1. "Heart" – 4:16
  2. "I Get Excited (You Get Excited Too)" – 4:53
  1. "Heart" (disco mix) – 8:27
  2. "I Get Excited (You Get Excited Too)" – 4:53
  3. "Heart" (dance mix) – 6:08
  1. "Heart" (12-inch remix) – 8:55
  2. "Heart" (dub mix) – 5:15
  3. "I Get Excited (You Get Excited Too)" – 4:53

Charts

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pet Shop Boys</span> English synth-pop duo

Pet Shop Boys are an English synth-pop duo formed in London in 1981. Consisting of primary vocalist Neil Tennant and keyboardist Chris Lowe, they have sold more than 100 million records worldwide and were listed as the most successful duo in UK music history in the 1999 edition of The Guinness Book of Records.

<i>Actually</i> 1987 studio album by Pet Shop Boys

Actually is the second studio album by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys, released on 7 September 1987 by Parlophone in the United Kingdom and by EMI Manhattan in North America. According to Neil Tennant and music historian Wayne Studer, Actually loosely critiques Thatcherism, the political zeitgeist of the 1980s, and was recorded in anticipation of Margaret Thatcher's re-election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Go West (song)</span> 1979 single by Village People

"Go West" is a song by American disco group Village People, released in June 1979 by Casablanca Records as the second single from their fourth studio album of the same name (1979). The song was written by Jacques Morali, Henri Belolo and lead singer Victor Willis, while Morali produced it. It was successful in the disco scene during the late 1970s and a top-20 hit in Belgium, Ireland and the UK. "Go West" found further success when it was covered in 1993 by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Minimal (song)</span> 2006 single by Pet Shop Boys

"Minimal" is a song by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys from their ninth studio album, Fundamental (2006). It was released on 24 July 2006 as the album's second single. "Minimal" reached number 19 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming the duo's 37th top-20 entry in the United Kingdom, and it was the number five Hot Dance Club Play Track of 2007 on Billboard's year-end chart. The B-side "In Private" is a new version of a song originally written for Dusty Springfield, this time recorded as a duet between Neil Tennant and Elton John and remixed by Stuart Crichton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Being Boring</span> 1990 single by Pet Shop Boys

"Being Boring" is a song by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys, released in November 1990 by Parlophone as the second single from their fourth studio album, Behaviour (1990). The song was written by Chris Lowe and Neil Tennant, and produced by them with German producer Harold Faltermeyer. It reached number 20 on the UK Singles Chart, marking the duo's first single to miss the top 10 since "Opportunities " in 1986. Its music video was directed by fashion photographer Bruce Weber.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Opportunities (Let's Make Lots of Money)</span> 1986 single by Pet Shop Boys

"Opportunities (Let's Make Lots of Money)" is a song by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys from their debut studio album, Please (1986). It was released as a single in 1985 and re-recorded and reissued in 1986, gaining greater popularity in both the United Kingdom and United States with its second release, reaching number 11 on the UK Singles Chart and number 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100. After the song was featured in a Super Bowl ad in February 2021, it re-entered the charts, claiming the number one spot on Billboard's Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suburbia (song)</span> 1986 single by Pet Shop Boys

"Suburbia" is a song by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys from their debut album, Please (1986). It was re-recorded with producer Julian Mendelsohn for release as the fourth single from the album. Peaking at number eight on the UK Singles Chart, "Suburbia" was the band's second top 10 hit after "West End Girls", and in their view it saved them from becoming a one-hit wonder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">It's a Sin</span> 1987 single by Pet Shop Boys

"It's a Sin" is a song by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys from their second studio album, Actually (1987). Written by Chris Lowe and Neil Tennant, the song was released on 15 June 1987 as the album's lead single. It became the duo's second number-one single on the UK Singles Chart, spending three weeks atop the chart. Additionally, the single topped the charts in Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland, while reaching number nine on the US Billboard Hot 100. It remains one of Pet Shop Boys' most popular songs with 40 million streams in the UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paninaro (song)</span> 1986 song by Pet Shop Boys

"Paninaro" is a song by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys, originally a B-side to the 1986 single "Suburbia". In 1995, a re-recording titled "Paninaro '95" was released to a wider market, to promote the duo's B-side compilation album Alternative, though only the original version was included on the compilation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jealousy (Pet Shop Boys song)</span> 1991 single by Pet Shop Boys

"Jealousy" is a song originally written in 1982 by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys, recorded for their fourth studio album, Behaviour (1990). It was released on 28 May 1991 as the album's fourth and final single in a slightly remixed form, which appears on the Pet Shop Boys' greatest hits albums. It reached number 12 on the UK singles chart. The song was performed by Robbie Williams at the Pet Shop Boys' 2006 BBC Radio 2 concert at the Mermaid Theatre, a recording of which was released on the Pet Shop Boys' live album Concrete.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Domino Dancing</span> 1988 single by Pet Shop Boys

"Domino Dancing" is a song by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys, released in September 1988 by Parlophone as the lead single from their third studio album, Introspective (1988). The song reached number seven on the UK Singles Chart and topped the charts in Finland and Spain. Its music video was directed by Eric Watson and filmed in Puerto Rico.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">What Have I Done to Deserve This? (song)</span> 1987 single by Dusty Springfield and Pet Shop Boys

"What Have I Done to Deserve This?" is a song by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys and soul singer Dusty Springfield, taken from the duo's second studio album, Actually (1987). The song was released as the second single from the album on 10 August 1987.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rent (song)</span> Song by the Pet Shop Boys

"Rent" is a song by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys from their second studio album, Actually (1987). It was released as the album's third single on 12 October 1987.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">It's Alright (Pet Shop Boys song)</span> 1989 single by Pet Shop Boys

"It's Alright" is a song by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys, released on 26 June 1989 as the third and final single from their third studio album, Introspective (1988). It reached number five on the UK Singles Chart. Originally performed by Sterling Void and Paris Brightledge, the song came to the attention of Pet Shop Boys on a house compilation issued by DJ International Records in 1987.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Wouldn't Normally Do This Kind of Thing</span> 1993 single by Pet Shop Boys

"I Wouldn't Normally Do This Kind of Thing" is a song by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys from their fifth studio album, Very (1993). The song, both written and produced by the duo, describes a person normally hesitant to unwind and show his feelings, who—because of some event in his life—suddenly becomes willing to loosen up. It was released in the United Kingdom on 29 November 1993 by Parlophone as the album's third single, reaching number 13 on the UK Singles Chart. In the United States, where it was released in January 1994, it reached number two on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. The song's accompanying music video was directed by Howard Greenhalgh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Integral (song)</span> 2007 single by Pet Shop Boys

"Integral" is a song by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys from their ninth studio album, Fundamental (2006). A remixed version of the song was released on 8 October 2007 as a download-only single to promote the duo's fourth remix album, Disco 4 (2007). The single peaked at number 197 on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yesterday, When I Was Mad</span> 1994 single by Pet Shop Boys

"Yesterday, When I Was Mad" is a song by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys, released as the fifth and final single from their fifth studio album, Very (1993), on 29 August 1994 by Parlophone. The single, both written and produced by Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe, peaked at number 13 on the UK Singles Chart and number four on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. The song was remixed by Jam & Spoon for its single release, among other things removing a compression effect applied to Tennant's voice during the verses. Its music video was directed by Howard Greenhalgh. One of the B-sides is a cover of the Noël Coward song "If Love Were All".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Liberation (Pet Shop Boys song)</span> 1994 single by Pet Shop Boys

"Liberation" is a song by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys, released by Parlophone as the fourth single from their fifth studio album, Very (1993). It peaked at number 14 on the UK Singles Chart, making it the lowest-charting single from Very in the United Kingdom. Its music video was directed by Howard Greenhalgh. The single's B-side, "Decadence", featuring Pat O'Brien was on the Further Listening: 1992–1994 re-release of Very, and the B-sides compilation Alternative.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Single-Bilingual</span> 1996 single by Pet Shop Boys

"Single-Bilingual" is a song by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys, released on 11 November 1996 as the third single from their sixth studio album, Bilingual (1996). The track peaked at number 14 on the UK Singles Chart. The song is named "Single" on the album version but was retitled "Single-Bilingual" because Everything but the Girl also had a song named "Single", which had been released the previous May. The album version cross-fades with the previous track, "Discoteca", of which both the album and single versions feature an interpolation at the end.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A Red Letter Day</span> 1997 single by Pet Shop Boys

"A Red Letter Day" is a song by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys, released on 17 March 1997 as the fourth single from their sixth studio album, Bilingual (1996). The single peaked at number 9 on the UK Singles Chart, making it another top 10 single for the group. However, it then fell straight out of the UK top 40 the following week. At the time, this was a record as the biggest such fall to ever occur in UK chart history, but it was then beaten the following year by Embrace with their single "My Weakness Is None of Your Business".

References

  1. ↑ Smith, Robin (19 March 1988). "News: Pet Shop Boys". Record Mirror . p. 4. ISSN   0144-5804.
  2. 1 2 "Pet Shop Boys: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  3. 1 2 Raggett, Ned. ""Heart" review". AllMusic. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 Songfacts. "Heart by Pet Shop Boys - Songfacts". www.songfacts.com. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  5. ↑ Wilde, Jonh (26 March 1988). "Singles". Melody Maker . p. 32. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  6. ↑ Romney, Jonathan (26 March 1988). "Singles". NME . p. 17. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  7. ↑ Dee, Johnny (26 March 1988). "45". Record Mirror . p. 37. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  8. ↑ Hamilton, James (9 April 1988). "DJ Directory". Record Mirror . p. 37. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  9. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 232. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  10. ↑ "Pet Shop Boys – Heart" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  11. ↑ "Pet Shop Boys – Heart" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  12. ↑ "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 8663." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  13. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 5, no. 18. 30 April 1988. p. 23. OCLC   29800226 – via World Radio History.
  14. ↑ Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 233. ISBN   978-951-1-21053-5.
  15. ↑ "Pet Shop Boys – Heart" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  16. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Pet Shop Boys". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  17. ↑ "Classifiche". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Retrieved 30 May 2022.Select "Singoli" in the "Tipo" field, type "Pet Shop Boys" in the "Artista" field and press "cerca".
  18. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Pet Shop Boys" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  19. ↑ "Pet Shop Boys – Heart" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  20. ↑ "Pet Shop Boys – Heart". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  21. ↑ "Pet Shop Boys – Heart". VG-lista. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  22. ↑ Currin, Brian. "SA Charts 1965–1989 (As presented on Springbok Radio/Radio Orion) – Acts P". The South African Rock Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on 5 May 2018. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  23. ↑ Salaverrie, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Madrid: Fundación Autor/SGAE. ISBN   84-8048-639-2.
  24. ↑ "Pet Shop Boys – Heart". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  25. ↑ "Pet Shop Boys – Heart". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  26. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Pet Shop Boys – Heart" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  27. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 1988 – Singles" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  28. ↑ "Top 25 Dance Singles of '88" (PDF). RPM. Vol. 49, no. 10. 24 December 1988. p. 10. ISSN   0033-7064 – via World Radio History.
  29. ↑ "1988 Year End Eurocharts – Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 6, no. 52/1. 1 January 1989. p. 31. OCLC   29800226 – via World Radio History.
  30. ↑ "Top Selling Singles of 1988". Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  31. ↑ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1988". hitparade.ch (in German). Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  32. ↑ "Top 100 Singles – Year-End Chart 1988" (PDF). Music Week Awards. Music Week . 4 March 1989. p. 12. ISSN   0265-1548 – via World Radio History.
  33. ↑ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts – 1988" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 1 May 2020.

Notes


This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.