View text source at Wikipedia

Axis (song)

"Axis"
Single by Pet Shop Boys
from the album Electric
Released30 April 2013
Genre
Length5:32
Labelx2
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Stuart Price
Pet Shop Boys singles chronology
"Memory of the Future"
(2012) 		"Axis"
(2013) 		"Vocal"
(2013)
Music video
"Axis" on YouTube

"Axis" is a song by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys from their twelfth studio album, Electric (2013). It was released on 30 April 2013 as a preview to the album.[4]

Background

[edit]

"Axis" was written during the writing sessions for the duo's previous album, Elysium (2012).[5] Chris Lowe and Neil Tennant were inspired after attending an Italo disco night in Berlin, and they composed a demo that same night. "Axis" did not suit Elysium, and Pet Shop Boys decided to make a separate dance album, Electric. The titles "Electric" and "Turn It On", from the lyrics, were considered for the album track, but the original demo name "Axis" was kept. The song was produced by Stuart Price, who used a VCS 3 to create some of the sounds on the track.[6]

Release

[edit]

"Axis" was released digitally on 30 April 2013 and as a twelve-inch single on 15 July 2013.[4][7] The latter format includes a remix by Boys Noize,[7] which was also released as a digital download.[8]

Music video

[edit]

In the music video for "Axis", released on 30 April 2013, "The raver-friendly visuals include Tron-like flashing lights, an elegant dancing couple, and what look to be the Boys themselves, hidden behind animal heads", according to Spin.[1]

Live performances

[edit]

The song was performed as the opening track on the Electric Tour[3][9][10][11] in a slightly shorter and more up-tempo version.[citation needed]

Track listings

[edit]
Digital download[4]
No.TitleLength
1."Axis"5:32
12-inch single[7]
No.TitleLength
1."Axis"5:32
2."Axis" (Boys Noize remix)4:10

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for "Axis"
Chart (2013) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[12] 194
UK Singles (OCC)[13] 196
UK Indie (OCC)[14] 25

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Hogan, Marc (30 April 2013). "Pet Shop Boys Preview 'Pretty Banging' LP 'Electric' With Rave-y 'Axis' Video". Spin. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  2. ^ Haider, Arwa (5 July 2013). "Pet Shop Boys: We left major label Parlophone and now we're in control of our destiny". Metro. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  3. ^ a b Lee, Darren (25 June 2013). "LIVE REPORT: Pet Shop Boys". The Quietus. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  4. ^ a b c "Electric – the new album". PetShopBoys.co.uk. 30 April 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  5. ^ Heath, Chris (2017). Elysium: Further Listening 2011–2012 (booklet). Pet Shop Boys. Parlophone Records. 0190295852788.
  6. ^ Pet Shop Boys and Stuart Price (3 January 2024). Album Track by Track (Band and Producer Commentary) (audio commentary). x2.
  7. ^ a b c "Axis 12" single". PetShopBoys.co.uk. 11 July 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  8. ^ "Axis Boys Noize Remix". petshopboys.co.uk. 13 May 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
  9. ^ "Pet Shop Boys inicia gira mundial en Cumbre Tajín". El Financiero (in Spanish). 23 March 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
  10. ^ "Pet Shop Boys review – tightrope walking between pop and art". TheGuardian.com. 8 June 2014.
  11. ^ "Review: Pet Shop Boys deliver art attack in Vancouver". 4 October 2013.
  12. ^ "Response from ARIA re: Pet Shop Boys ARIA chart history, received 29 May 2018". Retrieved 6 November 2020 – via Imgur. N.B. The "NAT" column displays the release's peak position on the national chart.
  13. ^ "Chart Log UK – Weekly Updates Sales 2013". Zobbel.de. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  14. ^ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 November 2020.