"Jack The Lad" and "Was That What it Was"

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shamelessbehave
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"Jack The Lad" and "Was That What it Was"

#1 Post by shamelessbehave »

I LOVE these songs.
If there was a chance to make a current version, which one would you choose?
Me: "Jack The Lad".
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"It´s fundamental that we do only exist in our own universe. When you like Pet Shop Boys, you are in our world. This is absolutely crucial to our entire outlook...what we do has an incredibly strong identity and applies only to us. It´s a case of not recognising the existence of anybody else!". Neil Tennant.

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stoo
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#2 Post by stoo »

i loved all the b sides back then, a man could.....thats my impression, a new life, you know where. The list goes on and on. I think its far too hard to decide on which to re record, However maybe they could re do the sound of the atom splitting :lol:
how can i feel bad,
about what i never had.
All i have is an image
on a photograph

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Henrik Powers
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#3 Post by Henrik Powers »

Was that what it was... is pure genius...(with 1 of my all time favorite... A new life) Both could get an electro-update ( a la kraftwerk did with "the mix")

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mole973102
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#4 Post by mole973102 »

Henrik Powers wrote:Was that what it was... is pure genius...(with 1 of my all time favorite... A new life) Both could get an electro-update ( a la kraftwerk did with "the mix")
Was that what it was? That I liked immediately on hearing it and played equally as the single.

Plus I have an idea on how the remix would go.

I've actually mentioned they should remix this before, because there is much better equipment now available to do it. It could retain the drums and have a nice little tune...

Who is Sandra? ;)

Kris
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#5 Post by Kris »

I absolutely adore Was That What It Was. A lot of Alternative CD1 was new to me when it came out in 1995 as I simply didn't buy singles at all until the early 1990s, so hearing that track for the first time was a really special moment. Those raw synth stabs sounded fantastic and, in my opinion at least, the "Something's been and gone..." bridge remains one of the highlights of PSB's career. So I find it a bit odd that Neil and Chris have more or less disowned that song - "a minor work" is how Neil refers to it in the Please Further Listening booklet, I believe.

As for Jack The Lad, it's a nice and breezy sort of track although personally if we're discussing early B-sides of a similarly melodic ilk, I much prefer A New Life.
Passion, love, sex, money, violence, religion, injustice and death. More on that story later.

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Darkmoon
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#6 Post by Darkmoon »

Sandra is the girl who sighs/whispers "Ca, dit moi" (My french isn't that good) on the first Enigma record. Had a lot of succes solo in the 80ies, is married to Mr. Enigma, etc.

However..."Was that what it was" is indeed a great track. I made two covers of it because I like it so much. One for the dead (?) Attribute project, and a second version which was an update that I worked out further.

I was listening to Alternative the other day, and especially on disc one there are so many *great* tracks, that I don't understand why they were B-sides! 'Do I have to' is great as a single too, and they could've easily released "...Excited..." after heart, to name a few...

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joeythecat
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#7 Post by joeythecat »

Musically 1985-1989 PSB could really do no wrong. PSB was a fine tuned hit making machine.

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tweety
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#8 Post by tweety »

I usually steer clear of this on-topic nonsense, but "Was that what it was" is the one PSB song for me. Thank you.
"At one time singers had to use musicians to accompany them. Since synthesizers came along, singers can now play with themselves"

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Hmmm
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#9 Post by Hmmm »

'Do I have to' yes must agree with Darkmoon on that for a remix but not to much.
They make a little go along way.. very Minimal but Fundamental.

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Trixiemix
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#10 Post by Trixiemix »

'Was that what it was ?' I never tire of hearing it......Fab.
Back to Trafalgar.........

Dipso
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#11 Post by Dipso »

Neil doesn't like "Was That What It Was?", apparently. A few years ago he was asked what his least favourire PSB song was and gave WTWIW? as his answer. I think it is glorious myself, mind.
Prick up your ears.

Chrispsb
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#12 Post by Chrispsb »

WTWIT

Eldritch
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#13 Post by Eldritch »

Dipso wrote:Neil doesn't like "Was That What It Was?", apparently. A few years ago he was asked what his least favourire PSB song was and gave WTWIW? as his answer. I think it is glorious myself, mind.
He does say something along the lines of "It's a very minor work" in the Please reissue booklet. Count me in as a fellow WTWIW lover. That's My Impression is brill too.
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Vince
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#14 Post by Vince »

Chrispsb wrote:WTWIT
WTWIW gets my vote too! (I think thats what you are referring to Chris ol' boy!)
H.A.P.P.I.N.E.S.S.S.S.S.S.S.S.S.S.S.S.S.S.

Bulldog

#15 Post by Bulldog »

WTWIW is good but just too stuck in the eighties sound to get something good of it, whereas JTL would deserve an update. I suppose they're getting some old tracks for the next tour like they did with OTW for Nightlife. I wish they played "King's cross" and "It always comes as a surprise", both songs should be superb live.

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