Pet Shop Boys Community

Oznerol wrote: Wed 27 Mar 2024, 8:59 pm

Pinhead44 wrote: Wed 27 Mar 2024, 8:04 pm A Man Could Get Arrested

There are 3 versions of this track. Separate to the 2 on FL Please cd there is the version that appears on Alternative, which I think has the best intro , and I'm pretty sure is the same version as my West End girls standard 12", so I'm not sure which 12" the FL track 1 is taken from, if anyone can shed some light? The 12" track version is shorter than the 7" as well, which is unusual.
....

One of the versions on the FL CD is unique and previously unreleased, only the "Alternative" version and the 7" b-side from the FL CD were previously available on vinyl.

I've just dug my vinyl out to check and all UK vinyl of West End girls, including the 10" have the alternative version on, and the USA 12" has the 7" version on, so I think you are right, the one that is listed as 'twelve inch b side, track 1 on FL is unique. It doesn't say it is 'Previously unreleased' on the sleeve though, although mine are the 1st print, so they may have corrected it on the 2nd print.

Pinhead44 wrote: Wed 27 Mar 2024, 9:21 pm

daveid wrote: Wed 27 Mar 2024, 9:09 pm I really dislike the 7" version. It's pretentiously over the top.

The 7" is def the worst version and far too long. I imagine people got quite a shock putting that on back in '85 after the polished production of West End girls !

It sounds like nothing else in their catalogue. It's the equivalent of AC/DC's Love Song. A one off, never to be heard of again. Whereas the 12'' is pure PSB.
The closest I can think of is Decadence (acoustic mix).

Pinhead44 wrote: Wed 27 Mar 2024, 9:21 pm

daveid wrote: Wed 27 Mar 2024, 9:09 pm I really dislike the 7" version. It's pretentiously over the top.

The 7" is def the worst version and far too long. I imagine people got quite a shock putting that on back in '85 after the polished production of West End girls !

Someone correct me but isn't the 7" version the one produced by Stephen Spiro? If so I disagree, it's the best version of the three IMO.

The Steven Spiro version, is easily the best version.

Yes 7" is Steven Spiro, 12" / alternative version is Frank Roszak. Funny how personal tastes differ, even on different versions of the same song !

Are people using humor here or am I just deaf to the trauma of the 7"?

Oh, I'm definitely in the Bobby Orlando 12" camp here. It's much more muscular. That said, I prefer the intro on the Alternative version, which is suitably sad before becoming pneumatic.

Drico.

Greetings,

For mine...

1. Alternative version
2. 12" version
3. 7" version

Retro.

Pinhead44 wrote: Wed 27 Mar 2024, 10:01 pm

Oznerol wrote: Wed 27 Mar 2024, 8:59 pm

Pinhead44 wrote: Wed 27 Mar 2024, 8:04 pm A Man Could Get Arrested

There are 3 versions of this track. Separate to the 2 on FL Please cd there is the version that appears on Alternative, which I think has the best intro , and I'm pretty sure is the same version as my West End girls standard 12", so I'm not sure which 12" the FL track 1 is taken from, if anyone can shed some light? The 12" track version is shorter than the 7" as well, which is unusual.
....

One of the versions on the FL CD is unique and previously unreleased, only the "Alternative" version and the 7" b-side from the FL CD were previously available on vinyl.

I've just dug my vinyl out to check and all UK vinyl of West End girls, including the 10" have the alternative version on, and the USA 12" has the 7" version on, so I think you are right, the one that is listed as 'twelve inch b side, track 1 on FL is unique. It doesn't say it is 'Previously unreleased' on the sleeve though, although mine are the 1st print, so they may have corrected it on the 2nd print.

Oh no, the new 2018 print of the FLs included the same notes on all the tracks. even the "previously unreleased" status for the versions previously released on the original 2001 FL series, what is really odd.
And "I man could get arrested" is not the only case of an uncredited "previously unreleased" version there. Also the "Opportunities Original 12" is (very) different to the real original 12", the "Don Juan Disco Mix" and "I Want To wake up album version" have little differences with the previously released mixes...and maybe something more I´m forgetting right now...

jasonjohn wrote: Wed 27 Mar 2024, 11:31 pm Are people using humor here or am I just deaf to the trauma of the 7"?

Totally agree with the boys, who prefer the the Steven Spiro version

I love the Spiro version.

Pinhead44 wrote: Wed 27 Mar 2024, 9:21 pm

daveid wrote: Wed 27 Mar 2024, 9:09 pm I really dislike the 7" version. It's pretentiously over the top.

The 7" is def the worst version and far too long. I imagine people got quite a shock putting that on back in '85 after the polished production of West End girls !

100% not the case. I was there at the time and me and my friends all loved it. The 7" version of 'A Man Could Get Arrested' is by far the best version, and was a perfect counterpart to the moody, slick sounds of the 'West End Girls' A-side. One of the most perfect 7 inch singles ever released.

I'm waiting for the In The Night day. It's one of their bests.

Apologies if I am getting this wrong, I don't think we give commentary on Opportunities again, as we have done that on the main album, but please feel free to correct me, so:

Track 12: In The Night

Chronology: Please, Further Listening, Track 3

The most exhilarating end to any PSB song ?

PSB’s most recognised ‘B-side’ in the UK, due to it being the theme tune on TV show ‘The Clothes Show’ from the mid-eighties to 2000, has a killer synth hook running throughout.

Even from these very early ‘b-side’ songs, you can feel the unique chemistry building between the music and the lyrics (even though I hadn’t got a clue what Neil was singing about at the time !).

Love the key change on the last verse when Neil sings ‘That Zazou he should be locked away’, and then we get the climax, ‘a thin line between love and crime and, …. collaboration’ and then a brief, excited anticipation, before that final synth hook explosion hits !

Yes I think it is most exhilarating end to any PSB song !

Pinhead44 wrote: Sat 30 Mar 2024, 5:09 pm Love the key change on the last verse when Neil sings ‘That Zazou he should be locked away’

That's not a key change it's just Neil singing different notes.