Vocal (song) explained

Vocal
Cover:Pet Shop Boys - Vocal.png
Border:yes
Type:single
Artist:Pet Shop Boys
Album:Electric
Released:3 June 2013 (digital download)
29 July 2013 (CD single)
Genre:
Length:6:34
Label:x2
Producer:Stuart Price
Prev Title:Axis
Prev Year:2013
Next Title:Love Is a Bourgeois Construct
Next Year:2013

"Vocal" is a song by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys from their twelfth studio album, Electric (2013). It was released on 3 June 2013 as the album's second single.

Background

"Vocal" was written during the writing process for the 2012 album Elysium, and was one of the earliest tracks written for the album.[1] The track, however, was not included on the record as it did not fit the rest of the "somber" and "reflective" material. It was instead recorded for Electric and was released as the album's second single. A demo version of "Vocal" was included as bonus track on the 2017 re-issue of Elysium.

Release

The single was released digitally on 3 June 2013.[2] On 29 July 2013, "Vocal" was released on CD single and digital bundle formats, both containing the original album version and eight original remixes.[3] The 12-inch vinyl single was released on 9 December 2013.[4] It was the very first physical single release by Pet Shop Boys that did not contain any new B-side songs.

Music video

The music video for "Vocal" was directed by Joost Vandebrug. It is a tribute to rave culture and electronic music. It consists of a compilation of various amateur videos recorded circa the Summer of Rave in 1989.[5]

Live performances

The song was performed as the final encore on the Electric Tour.[6]

Other performances

In the 2015 revival of Pet Shop Boys stage musical Closer to Heaven at London's Union Theatre, "Vocal" replaced the original closing number "Positive Role Model".

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2013)! scope="col"
Peak
position
US Hot Singles Sales (Billboard)[7] 20

Year-end charts

Chart (2013)! scope="col"
Position
US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[8] 96

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Daw. Robbie. Pet Shop Boys Discuss 'Electric', Their Euphoric Summer Album: Idolator Interview. Idolator. 21 June 2013. 18 August 2016.
  2. Web site: Vocal download . PetShopBoys.co.uk . 3 June 2013 . 5 November 2020.
  3. Web site: Vocal out on CD single and download . PetShopBoys.co.uk . 29 July 2013 . 5 November 2020.
  4. Web site: Vinyl . PetShopBoys.co.uk . 11 November 2013 . 5 November 2020.
  5. Web site: Daw . Robbie . Pet Shop Boys' "Vocal" Video Is A Trippy Rave Culture Flashback . Idolator . 18 June 2013 . 26 July 2013.
  6. Web site: Vocal Single . PetShopBoys.co.uk . 26 July 2013.
  7. Pet Shop Boys Chart History (Hot Singles Sales) . . 5 November 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210117154640/https://www.billboard.com/music/pet-shop-boys/chart-history/hot-singles-sales . 17 January 2021.
  8. Hot Dance/Electronic Songs – Year-End 2013. Billboard. 6 November 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190326060603/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2013/hot-dance-electronic--songs. 26 March 2019. live.