Decide (Burning the Heather b-side)

[D.J.]

I don’t understand how can PSB not only not include such an universal, melodic and emotional song such as Decide on the new album, but actually demote it to merely a B-side to a 7 inch single , while releasing Dreamland, Burning the heather and Monkey business as singles. I know it’s their taste, but still it’s hard to understand.

[glennjridge]

because for every one of you that thinks decide is a masterpiece there are just as many who think its a B-side and nothing more.
so, all things being equal, the end result is we all have the track and it wouldnt make much of a difference if it came to our attention via being on the main album or a B-side.

[ArtHist]

^^^ I think the point might be that Decide would make Hotspot a stronger album rather than relegated to a b-side. I don't think it's as strong as BTH but much prefer it to Dreamland and Monkey Business. But you're right Glenn, it's really just all down to personal taste.

[glennjridge]

I still...always stand amazed at how much new material we get with each album, how good they are to us.
think about it, we got a new album coming in a few weeks of 10 new tracks, and here we are already with

Open Mind
No Boundaries
Decide
at rock bottom(well tomorrow that is)
and probably 2 more B-sides at least in the future
almost...a second album of new music.

[Spittingcat]

Tomorrow?

[Palpatine]

Tomorrow?

I think glenn got his dates mixed up. It's February 7th, not January 7th.

[glennjridge]

ooops yep!

[bongsteve]

Fun track but agree with others that while I really do love it, it feels like a b-side. Open Mind...now that's one that feels more like an album track. I would even argue that No Boundaries is better than Decide.

[glennjridge]

"No boundaries" is glorious. its everything I love about the PSB. upbeat,lush, symphonic sounding.

[Bjossi]

I like No boundaries more than An open mind, personally. It has this addictive energy going on throughout. Open mind is fantastic too though, don't get me wrong.

Currently my order of preference is like this: Decide > No boundaries > An open mind

[alternativeformat]

This used to be the future, We're the pet shop boys, We all feel better in the dark, One of the crowd and of course Paninaro and Paninaro 95. Neil always finds a way to sneak in, the bastard.

This use to be the future..YES! that was the first one then...but on the other songs you mentioned they`re both singing but not at the same time in harmony...just alterning one or the other...

Aaah, I see what you meant.

Playing "Decide" as a result of the top b-sides thread, I noticed and appreciated for the first time that Chris and Neil were singing in unison for what felt like the first time on the track. I found that very moving. Came here to see if this had been remarked on, and indeed it has.

Helpful for me to be reminded that "This used to be the future" included Chris as well as Phil Oakey, and that there is a little Chris and Neil unison to be heard there, too.

There's something about the two of them joining voices on a love song that is especially moving, though.

I haven't played the track often enough lately. It's one of those later-era tracks that made it into my next ten beloved b-sides. Need to spin the CYA remix, too. I love when their b-sides get remixed. Another marker for how good the Nonetheless era was.