Christmas (Pet Shop Boys EP)

Christmas is an extended play (EP) by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys. It was released on 14 December 2009 by Parlophone.

Christmas
EP by
Released14 December 2009
Genre
Length22:45
LabelParlophone
Producer
Pet Shop Boys chronology
Party
(2009)
Christmas
(2009)
Pandemonium
(2010)

The EP contains a new version of their exclusive 1997 fan club single "It Doesn't Often Snow at Christmas" and a new version of the track "All Over the World" from their tenth studio album Yes, both of which featured additional production by Marius de Vries. The EP also includes a cover of Madness' song "My Girl", along with a remix of it, as well as a medley of Pet Shop Boys' 1988 song "Domino Dancing" with Coldplay's 2008 song "Viva la Vida".

"All Over the World" was released to radio stations as a promotional recording and was given its first airing on Chris Evans's BBC Radio 2 show on 9 November 2009. "It Doesn't Often Snow at Christmas" followed three weeks later in the first week of December.

Following the release of the EP, "It Doesn't Often Snow at Christmas" entered the UK Singles Chart on 26 December 2009 at number 40, and is to date the last Pet Shop Boys single to have entered the UK top 40.[1]

The video for "All Over the World" was directed by Blue Leach and features live highlights from the Pandemonium tour. It was posted online a few days prior to the EP's release.

The cover artwork continues the balloon motif from the Brazilian compilation Party.

Track listing edit

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."It Doesn't Often Snow at Christmas" (new version)
3:51
2."My Girl"Mike BarsonPet Shop Boys3:43
3."All Over the World" (new version)
  • Tennant
  • Lowe
  • de Vries
  • Pet Shop Boys
3:49
4."Viva la Vida"/"Domino Dancing"
5:33
5."My Girl" (Our House mix)BarsonPet Shop Boys5:49
Total length:22:45

Notes edit

  • ^[a] signifies an assistant producer

Personnel edit

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Christmas.[2]

Musicians edit

  • Matt Robertson – new programming, orchestral arrangements (tracks 1, 3)
  • Jason Boshoff – new programming (tracks 1, 3)
  • Chris Storr – trumpet solo (tracks 1, 3)
  • Pete Gleadall – original programming (track 1); programming (tracks 2)
  • Stuart Price – arrangements (track 4)
  • Pet Shop Boys – arrangements (track 4)
  • Marius de Vries – orchestral arrangements (tracks 1, 3)
  • Perry Montague-Mason – leader of the orchestra (tracks 1, 3)
  • Jenny O'Grady – choirmaster (tracks 1, 3)

Technical edit

  • Pet Shop Boys – original track production (track 1); new production (tracks 1, 3); production (tracks 2, 5); remix (track 5)
  • Marius de Vries – new production (tracks 1, 3)
  • Tim Weidner – mixing (tracks 2, 5)
  • Brian Higgins – original track production (track 3)
  • Xenomania – original track production (track 3)
  • Stuart Price – production, mixing (track 4)
  • Dave Emery – production assistance (track 4)
  • Gary Thomas – orchestra and choir recording (tracks 1, 3)
  • Mat Bartram – orchestra and choir recording assistance (tracks 1, 3)
  • Andy Bradfield – orchestra and choir mixing (tracks 1, 3)
  • Mo Hausler – orchestra and choir mixing assistance (tracks 1, 3)
  • Izzy Morley – orchestra and choir mixing assistance (tracks 1, 3)
  • Tim Young – mastering

Artwork edit

  • Farrow – design, art direction
  • PSB – design, art direction
  • John Ross – photography

Charts edit

Chart (2009–2010) Peak
position
France (SNEP)[3] 60
Germany (Official German Charts)[4] 35
Scotland (OCC)[5] 43
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[6] 10
UK Singles (OCC)[7] 40
US Top Dance/Electronic Albums (Billboard)[8] 20

References edit

  1. ^ "Pet Shop Boys Official Chart History". Official Charts. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  2. ^ Christmas (liner notes). Pet Shop Boys. Parlophone. 2009. CDR 6784.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  3. ^ "Pet Shop Boys – Christmas" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
  4. ^ "Pet Shop Boys – Christmas" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
  5. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
  6. ^ "Pet Shop Boys – It Doesn't Often Snow at Christmas". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
  7. ^ "Pet Shop Boys: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
  8. ^ "Pet Shop Boys Chart History (Top Dance/Electronic Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 November 2020.