Minimal (song)
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| “Minimal” | |||||
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| Single by Pet Shop Boys from the album Fundamental |
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| B-side | "In private", "Blue on blue", "No time for tears" | ||||
| Released | 24 July 2006 | ||||
| Format | 7", CD, Maxi-CD, DVD | ||||
| Recorded | 2003-2005 | ||||
| Genre | Synthpop | ||||
| Length | 4:21 (album version) 3:27 (radio edit) |
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| Label | Parlophone | ||||
| Producer | Trevor Horn, Pet Shop Boys | ||||
| Pet Shop Boys singles chronology | |||||
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"Minimal" is a song by British synthpop band Pet Shop Boys and is featured on their 2006 album Fundamental. It was released 24 July 2006 as the second single from that album in the UK, entering the UK Singles Chart at #19 in the first week of its release (see 2006 in British music). It was their 37th Top 20 hit in the UK.
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[edit] Overview
The lyrics, built around a chant of "M-I-N-I-M-A-L", are an abstract description of expressions of minimalism, such as "more is less" and "an empty box, an open space". This is contradicted by the upbeat, busy instrumentation and production.
Originally planned as the first single from Fundamental, it was subsequently moved down the release schedule when "I'm with Stupid" was chosen instead.
[edit] Track listings
[edit] CD: Parlophone / CDR6708 (UK)
- "Minimal" (radio edit) - 3:40
- "In private" (7-inch mix) - 4:13
- also released on clear 7" vinyl (R6708) on 31 July)
[edit] CD: Parlophone / CDRS6708 (UK)
- "Minimal" (radio edit) - 3:40
- "Minimal" (Tocadisco's Sunday at Space Remix) - 8:04
- "Minimal" (M Factor Remix) - 8:49
- "Minimal" (U-MYX software)
[edit] DVD: Parlophone / DVDR6708 (UK)
- "Minimal" (Telex Hell mix)- 6:19
- "Blue on blue" - 3:15
- "No time for tears" (7-inch mix) - 3:39
- "Minimal" (video)
[edit] Promos
[edit] CD: Parlophone / CDRDJ6708 (UK)
- "Minimal" (radio edit) - 3:27
- released June 2006
[edit] CD: Parlophone / 00946 371144 2 1 (UK)
- "Minimal" (radio edit) - 3:40
- "Minimal" (Tocadisco's Sunday at Space Remix) - 8:04
- "Minimal" (M Factor Remix) - 8:49
- "Minimal" (M Factor dub) - 7:44
- "Minimal" (Tiga's M-I-N-I-M-A-L remix) - 5:38
- "Minimal" (Tiga's M-I-N-I-M-A-L dub) - 5:38
- "Minimal" (Superchumbo's Light and Shade dub) - 8:28
- "Minimal" (Telex Hell remix) - 6:19
- "Minimal" (Telex Heaven remix) - 4:29
- "In private" (Tomcraft 7" mix) - 3:51
- Remix Promo
[edit] 12": Parlophone / MINIMAL001 (UK)
- "Minimal" (Tiga's M-I-N-I-M-A-L remix) - 5:38
- "Minimal" (Tiga's M-I-N-I-M-A-L dub) - 5:38
- "Minimal" (Telex Hell remix) - 6:19
- "Minimal" (Telex Heaven remix) - 4:29
- Remix Promo
Another remix of "Minimal" by Lobe appears on the limited edition bonus CD of Fundamental, Fundamentalism. The Tiga remix was included on the Japanese release.
Another remix of Minimal by Radio Slave appears on the b-side of a 12" promo with two remixes of Psychological on the a-side by Ewan Pearson. These are part of the Numb promotion.
In addition, it was the first PSB single release to feature the U-MYX software on the maxi-CD which allows people to create their own version of the single. On 25 July, Chris Lowe himself created a new version of the track using the software and uploaded it onto the U-MYX website.
[edit] Chart performance
| Chart (2006) | Peak position |
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| UK singles chart | 19 |
| U.S. Hot Dance Club Play | 3 |
| Denmark | 7 |
[edit] Cover images
 UK (7" & 2-Track CD) |
[edit] Music video
On 5 June 2006, it was announced that the video, directed by Dan Cameron, was completed in Paris.
The video itself, complementing the theme, was kept visually minimal; it consists largely of shots of the band silhouetted against a backdrop of flashing white neon lamps. These are interjected with shots of a dancing couple, exhibiting a sexual tension that contrasts against the sparse, rigid performance scenes.
[edit] Trivia
- "Blue on Blue" is the British term for "Friendly fire", which was also the title of a Pet Shop Boys song in their musical Closer to Heaven.
- On tour, "Minimal" segued into "Shopping", which is the other Pet Shop Boys song where they spell out the chorus.
