Pet Shop Boys' concept for the song was to work with a hip-hop producer to combine electroclash with hip-hop beats. The duo were introduced to Adam F by their mutual manager, Merck Mercuriadis. Adam F and DJ Fresh had already written part of the song, which originally had a more drum and bass sound. Producer Stuart Crichton was brought in to do additional work on the track and gave it a four on the floor feel. Orchestration was arranged and conducted by Anne Dudley, with whom Pet Shop Boys had worked on Very (1993). The lyrics use nature as a conceit to convey the notion that a loved one makes the world seem miraculous. Neil Tennant was inspired by a book of Elizabethan metaphysical poetry.[3]
Release
"Miracles" achieved moderate airplay on the radio, with BBC Radio 2 accounting for the majority of its audience.[4] The single debuted at number 10 in the UK, making it their 35th top 40 hit and their 19th to reach the top 10. It also topped the UK Dance Singles Chart.[5]
Remixes were produced by Lemon Jelly and Eric Prydz. The B-side track "We're the Pet Shop Boys" is a cover of a 2002 song recorded by New York band My Robot Friend, in tribute to the Pet Shop Boys themselves; one part of the lyrics is an extended sequence of Pet Shop Boys song titles.[6] It was covered again by Robbie Williams, with production by the Pet Shop Boys, on his 2006 album Rudebox.[7]
Artwork
The 12-inch white vinyl had an elaborate design by Mark Farrow. The outer sleeve had die-cut silhouettes of Lowe and Tennant on either side, with a photo of cherry blossoms on the inner sleeve showing through. The floral design was also on the inside of both the inner and outer sleeves and on the label. The cherry blossoms were inspired by the nature imagery of the song. The CD1 single (pictured) featured Lowe's floral silhouette and came with a blue disc, and the CD2 single had Tennant and a pink disc.[8] Promotional copies were scented with lavender, but EMI balked at the cost of using scent on the copies for sale.[9]
Music video
The music video was directed by Howard Greenhalgh. It primarily shows human figures interacting with cascades of water and milk, captured in intricate detail by the slow-motion footage.[8] The buildings on the background include Calatrava's Gare do Oriente and others from the Nations' Park area in Lisbon.[citation needed]
Live performances
Pet Shop Boys performed "Miracles" at the World Award ceremony in Hamburg in October 2003,[10] where they were honoured for their contribution to music and their charitable work.[11] In December 2012, Pet Shop Boys played a concert with the BBC Philharmonic for Radio 2, accompanied by the Manchester Chamber Choir, who "brought ethereal beauty" to "Miracles", according to Tennant.[12] The song was part of the set list on the Electric Tour from 2013–2014.[13][14] "Miracles" was also performed at a concert in support of the Teenage Cancer Trust with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Royal Albert Hall in 2017.[15]
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