Leaving (Pet Shop Boys song)

2012 single by Pet Shop Boys

"Leaving"

Single by Pet Shop Boys
from the album  Elysium
B-side|

* "Hell"
* "In His Imagination"
* "Baby" (2003 demo)

Released| 12 October 2012 (2012-10-12)
Recorded| 2012[1]
Genre| Synth-pop[2]
Length| 3:50
Label| Parlophone
Songwriter(s)|

* Neil Tennant
* Chris Lowe

Producer(s)|

* Andrew Dawson
* Pet Shop Boys

Pet Shop Boys singles chronology
| "Winner"
(2012)  | "Leaving"
(2012)  | "Memory of the Future"
(2012)

|
|

Music video
"Leaving" on YouTube

"Leaving" is a song by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys from their eleventh studio album, Elysium (2012). It was released as the album's second single on 12 October 2012.[3] It entered the UK Singles Chart at number 44.[4]

## Background and recording

[edit]

"Leaving" takes the familiar notion that "love never dies", in the context of the end of a relationship, and relates it to the memories that remain after the death of a loved one. The song was written in early 2010, and lyricist Neil Tennant drew inspiration from the loss of his parents in 2008 and 2009.[5][6]

The verse "Our love is dead but the dead don't go away" came from an unreleased song titled "Heaven Is a Playground". Pet Shop Boys wrote a new chorus, and the reworked version, originally called "I'm Leaving", was earmarked for the next album. The demo is included on Yes: Further Listening 2008–2010, covering the songs from that period.[7]

"Leaving" was recorded in Los Angeles in 2012 for Elysium.[1] Producer Andrew Dawson gave the song what Chris Lowe called "that LA sheen".[5] Dawson brought in veteran local musicians, including backing vocalists Oren, Julia, and Maxine Waters and James Fauntleroy to sing harmonies, and percussionist Lenny Castro.[5]

Pet Shop Boys made three remixes of "Leaving": the Freedom remix, a club mix; the Side-by-side remix, a banging mix; and the Believe in PSB mix, an extended mix. Their remixes are included on Elysium: Further Listening 2011–2012. Dawson also made two remixes called HappySad and HappyHour.

## Artwork

[edit]

Two different sleeves depicting each of the Pet Shop Boys were designed by Farrow and PSB, with cover photos by Pelle Crépin. The photo of Lowe (pictured) shows him in profile wearing a quilted hat by JW Anderson, with flaps covering his eyes and neck.[8] This image is on the CD single[9] and digital single[10] and the 7" single.[11]

The photo of Tennant, in a bowler hat with his gloved hands covering his mouth, is on the 12" single[12] and on the "Leaving Remixed" CD[13] and digital single.[14] Both photos are on the "Leaving Again" remixes single.[15]

## Music video

[edit]

A black and white music video, directed by Pet Shop Boys,[16] shows the duo performing "Leaving" at an album preview concert in Berlin on 5 September 2012. Lowe is wearing the same headgear as on the cover of the single. Oren, Julia, and Maxine Waters appear on three individual screens onstage, providing pre-recorded backing vocals.[17][18] Interspersed with the concert footage are scenes around Berlin, on trains and in train stations.

## Track listings

[edit]

All tracks are written by Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe.

CD single[19] / digital EP[20]No.| Title| Producer(s)| Length

|
|
|

1.| "Leaving"|

* Andrew Dawson
* Pet Shop Boys

| 3:50
2.| "Hell"| Pet Shop Boys| 3:33
3.| "In His Imagination"| Pet Shop Boys| 4:54
4.| "Baby" (2003 demo)| Pet Shop Boys| 3:47

CD single – Leaving Remixed[21]No.| Title| Producer(s)| Length

|
|
|

1.| "Leaving" (Lost Her Love remix)| Dusty Kid (remix)| 11:31
2.| "Leaving" (HappySad Remix on CD)| Dawson (remix)| 6:14
3.| "Leaving" (demo)| Pet Shop Boys| 4:16

Digital EP – Leaving Remixed[22]No.| Title| Producer(s)| Length

|
|
|

1.| "Leaving" (Lost Her Love remix)| Dusty Kid (remix)| 11:31
2.| "Leaving" (Believe in PSB remix)| Pet Shop Boys (remix)| 6:44
3.| "Leaving" (demo)| Pet Shop Boys| 4:16

Digital EP – Leaving Again[23]No.| Title| Producer(s)| Length

|
|
|

1.| "Leaving" (PSB Side-by-side remix)| Pet Shop Boys (remix)| 7:00
2.| "Leaving" (HappySad remix)| Andrew Dawson (remix)| 6:14
3.| "Leaving" (PSB Freedom remix)| Pet Shop Boys (remix)| 7:05

7-inch singleNo.| Title| Producer(s)| Length

|
|
|

1.| "Leaving"| Andrew Dawson, Pet Shop Boys| 3:50
2.| "Leaving" (demo)| Pet Shop Boys| 4:16

12-inch single[24]No.| Title| Producer(s)| Length

|
|
|

1.| "Leaving" (Lost Her Love remix)| Dusty Kid (remix)|
2.| "Leaving" (HappySad remix)| Andrew Dawson (remix)|
3.| "Leaving" (HappyHour remix)| Andrew Dawson (remix)|

## Personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from the liner notes for Elysium: Further Listening 2011–2012[25] and "Leaving".[26]

Pet Shop Boys

* Neil Tennant
* Chris Lowe

Additional musicians

* James Fauntleroy – additional vocals
* Oren Waters – additional vocals
* Maxine Waters – additional vocals
* Julia Waters – additional vocals
* Lenny Castro – percussion
* Pete Gleadall – additional programming

Orchestra

* Mark Robertson – violin
* Endre Granat – violin
* Ana Landauer – violin
* Peter Kent – violin
* Clayton Haslop – violin
* Sam Fischer – violin
* Neli Nikolaeva – violin
* Serena McKinney – violin
* Andrew Duckles – viola
* David Walther – viola
* Matt Funes – viola
* Jessica van Velzen Freer – viola
* David Low – cello
* Tim Landauer – cello
* Dennis Karmazyn – cello
* Victor Lawrence – cello
* Vanessa Freebairn-Smith – cello
* Jim Thatcher – French horn
* Lisa McCormick – French horn
* Rick Baptist – trumpet
* Rob Schaer – trumpet

Technical

* Andrew Dawson – production, engineering, mixing, orchestra arrangement
* Pete Gleadall – additional engineering
* Joachim Horsley – orchestra arrangement, conducting
* Ben Leathers – orchestra arrangement
* Mark Robertson – orchestra contractor
* Robert Fernandez – orchestra engineering, orchestra mixing
* Charlie Paakkari – string engineering assistance
* Mike Riley – additional vocals recording

Artwork

* Farrow and PSB – design, art direction
* Pelle Crépin – photography

## Charts

[edit]

Chart performance for "Leaving"  Chart (2012–2013)  | Peak
position

|

Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[27] | 73
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[28] | 45
France (SNEP)[29] | 139
Germany (GfK)[30] | 35
Ireland (IRMA)[31] | 77
Japan (Japan Hot 100) (Billboard)[32] | 74
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[33] | 69
Scotland (OCC)[34] | 70
UK Singles (OCC)[35] | 44
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[36] | 10

## External links

[edit]

Lyrics: Leaving

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Wood, Mikael (12 September 2012). "The Pet Shop Boys talk new album 'Elysium,' and life in L.A." The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
2. ^ Edwards, Luke; Elliott, Mark (16 June 2023). "Best Pet Shop Boys Songs: 30 Synth-Pop Hits Always On Our Mind". Dig!. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
3. ^ "Leaving Europe". PetShopBoys.co.uk. 12 October 2012. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
4. ^ "Leaving by Pet Shop Boys". Official Charts. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
5. ^ a b c Heath, Chris (2017). Elysium: Further Listening 2011–2012 (booklet). Pet Shop Boys. Parlophone Records. 0190295852788.
6. ^ Tennant, Neil (2018). One Hundred Lyrics and a Poem: 1979–2016. London: Faber & Faber. p. 108\. ISBN 9780571348916.
7. ^ Heath, Chris (2017). Yes: Further Listening 2008–2010 (booklet). Pet Shop Boys. Parlophone Records. 0190295852818.
8. ^ Batliwalla, Navaz (22 October 2012). "The Pet Shop Boys wear J.W. Anderson". Disney Roller Girl. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
9. ^ "Pet Shop Boys - Leaving (CDR 6879)". Discogs. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
10. ^ "Pet Shop Boys - Leaving (digital single)". Discogs. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
11. ^ "Pet Shop Boys - Leaving (R 6879)". Discogs. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
12. ^ "Pet Shop Boys - Leaving (12R 6879)". Discogs. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
13. ^ "Pet Shop Boys - Leaving Remixed (CDRX 6879)". Discogs. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
14. ^ "Pet Shop Boys - Leaving Remixed". Discogs. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
15. ^ "Pet Shop Boys - Leaving Again". Discogs. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
16. ^ Roffman, Michael (1 October 2012). "Video: Pet Shop Boys – "Leaving"". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
17. ^ "Pet Shop Boys' "Leaving" music video — EB Premiere". Electronic Beats. 30 September 2012. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
18. ^ Strauss, David (6 September 2012). "From Suburbium to Elysium: Pet Shop Boys live in Berlin". Electronic Beats. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
19. ^ "Pet Shop Boys – Leaving CD Single". petshopboysshop.co.uk. Archived from the original on 6 October 2012. Retrieved 20 October 2012.
20. ^ "Leaving – EP by Pet Shop Boys". Apple Music. United Kingdom. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
21. ^ "Pet Shop Boys – Leaving Remixed CD Single". petshopboysshop.co.uk. Archived from the original on 6 October 2012. Retrieved 20 October 2012.
22. ^ "Leaving Remixed – EP by Pet Shop Boys". Apple Music. United Kingdom. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
23. ^ "Leaving Again – Single by Pet Shop Boys". Apple Music. United Kingdom. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
24. ^ "Pet Shop Boys – Leaving 12" Single". petshopboysshop.co.uk. Archived from the original on 6 October 2012. Retrieved 20 October 2012.
25. ^ Pet Shop Boys (2017). Elysium: Further Listening 2011–2012 (liner notes). Parlophone. 0190295852788.
26. ^ Pet Shop Boys (2012). Leaving (liner notes). Parlophone. CDR 6879.
27. ^ "Pet Shop Boys – Leaving" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
28. ^ "Pet Shop Boys – Leaving" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
29. ^ "Pet Shop Boys – Leaving" (in French). Le classement de singles. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
30. ^ "Pet Shop Boys – Leaving" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
31. ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Pet Shop Boys". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
32. ^ "Pet Shop Boys Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
33. ^ "Pet Shop Boys – Leaving" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
34. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
35. ^ "Pet Shop Boys: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
36. ^ "Pet Shop Boys Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 18 May 2020.

* v
* t
* e

Pet Shop Boys

* Chris Lowe
* Neil Tennant

Studio albums|

* Please
* Actually
* Introspective
* Behaviour
* Very
* Bilingual
* Nightlife
* Release
* Fundamental
* Yes
* Elysium
* Electric
* Super
* Hotspot
* Nonetheless

Compilation albums|

* Discography: The Complete Singles Collection
* Alternative
* Essential
* PopArt: The Hits
* Story: 25 Years of Hits
* Party
* Ultimate
* Format
* Smash: The Singles 1985–2020

Remix albums|

* Disco
* Disco 2
* Disco 3
* Disco 4

Live albums|

* Concrete
* Pandemonium
* Inner Sanctum
* Discovery: Live in Rio 1994

Extended plays|

* Christmas
* Agenda
* Lost

Singles|

* "West End Girls"
* "One More Chance"
* "Opportunities (Let's Make Lots of Money)"
* "Love Comes Quickly"
* "Suburbia"
* "Paninaro"
* "It's a Sin"
* "What Have I Done to Deserve This?"
* "Rent"
* "Heart"
* "Always on My Mind"
* "Domino Dancing"
* "Left to My Own Devices"
* "It's Alright"
* "So Hard"
* "Being Boring"
* "Where the Streets Have No Name (I Can't Take My Eyes Off You)" / "How Can You Expect to Be Taken Seriously?"
* "Jealousy"
* "DJ Culture"
* "Was It Worth It?"
* "Can You Forgive Her?"
* "Go West"
* "I Wouldn't Normally Do This Kind of Thing"
* "Liberation"
* "Absolutely Fabulous"
* "Yesterday, When I Was Mad"
* "Paninaro '95"
* "Before"
* "Se a vida é (That's the Way Life Is)" / "To Step Aside"
* "Single-Bilingual"
* "A Red Letter Day"
* "Somewhere"
* "I Don't Know What You Want but I Can't Give It Any More"
* "New York City Boy"
* "You Only Tell Me You Love Me When You're Drunk"
* "Home and Dry"
* "I Get Along"
* "London"
* "Miracles"
* "Flamboyant"
* "I'm with Stupid"
* "Minimal"
* "Numb"
* "Integral"
* "Love Etc."
* "Did You See Me Coming?"
* "Beautiful People"
* "Love Life"
* "Together"
* "Winner"
* "Leaving"
* "Memory of the Future"
* "Axis"
* "Vocal"
* "Love Is a Bourgeois Construct"
* "Thursday"
* "The Pop Kids"
* "Say It to Me"
* "Dreamland"
* "Dancing Star"

Featured singles|

* "Hallo Spaceboy"
* "Break 4 Love"
* "She's Madonna"

Other songs|

* "King's Cross"
* "The Loving Kind"
* "The Night I Fell in Love"
* "I'm Not Scared"
* "In Private"
* "Nothing Has Been Proved"
* "So Sorry, I Said"
* "Don't Drop Bombs"
* "Losing My Mind"

Video albums|

* Cubism

Soundtracks and scores|

* The Crying Game
* Closer to Heaven
* Battleship Potemkin
* The Most Incredible Thing

Film, stage and television|

* It Couldn't Happen Here
* Closer to Heaven
* Pet Shop Boys: A Life in Pop

Tours and concerts|

* Fundamental Tour
* Pandemonium Tour
* Electric Tour
* Super Tour
* Dreamworld: The Greatest Hits Live

Related articles|

* CyberWorld
* Discography
* Songs
* x2
* Reputation
* Results
* Electronic
* Back to Mine: Pet Shop Boys
* West End Girls

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