Miracles (Pet Shop Boys song)

2003 single by Pet Shop Boys

"Miracles"

Single by Pet Shop Boys
from the album  PopArt: The Hits
B-side|

* "We're the Pet Shop Boys"
* "Transparent"

Released| 17 November 2003 (2003-11-17)[1]
Genre| Electro[2]
Length| 3:57
Label| Parlophone
Songwriter(s)|

* Neil Tennant
* Chris Lowe
* Adam F
* Dan Fresh Stein

Producer(s)|

* Adam F
* Dan Fresh Stein
* Stuart Crichton

Pet Shop Boys singles chronology
| "London"
(2002)  | "Miracles"
(2003)  | "Flamboyant"
(2004)

|
|

Music video
"Miracles" on YouTube

"Miracles" is a song by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys from their greatest hits album, PopArt: The Hits (2003). It was released on 17 November 2003 as the album's lead single. The song was co-written with drum and bass musicians Adam F and DJ Fresh. "Miracles" peaked at number 10 on the UK Singles Chart.

## Background and composition

[edit]

Pet Shop Boys' concept for the song was to work with a hip-hop producer to combine electroclash with hip-hop beats. The duo were introduced to Adam F by their mutual manager, Merck Mercuriadis. Adam F and DJ Fresh had already written part of the song, which originally had a more drum and bass sound. Producer Stuart Crichton was brought in to do additional work on the track and gave it a four on the floor feel. Orchestration was arranged and conducted by Anne Dudley, with whom Pet Shop Boys had worked on Very (1993). The lyrics use nature as a conceit to convey the notion that a loved one makes the world seem miraculous. Neil Tennant was inspired by a book of Elizabethan metaphysical poetry.[3]

## Release

[edit]

"Miracles" achieved moderate airplay on the radio, with BBC Radio 2 accounting for the majority of its audience.[4] The single debuted at number 10 in the UK, making it their 35th top 40 hit and their 19th to reach the top 10. It also topped the UK Dance Singles Chart.[5]

Remixes were produced by Lemon Jelly and Eric Prydz. The B-side track "We're the Pet Shop Boys" is a cover of a 2002 song recorded by New York band My Robot Friend, in tribute to the Pet Shop Boys themselves; one part of the lyrics is an extended sequence of Pet Shop Boys song titles.[6] It was covered again by Robbie Williams, with production by the Pet Shop Boys, on his 2006 album Rudebox.[7]

### Artwork

[edit]

The 12-inch white vinyl had an elaborate design by Mark Farrow. The outer sleeve had die-cut silhouettes of Lowe and Tennant on either side, with a photo of cherry blossoms on the inner sleeve showing through. The floral design was also on the inside of both the inner and outer sleeves and on the label. The cherry blossoms were inspired by the nature imagery of the song. The CD1 single (pictured) featured Lowe's floral silhouette and came with a blue disc, and the CD2 single had Tennant and a pink disc.[8] Promotional copies were scented with lavender, but EMI balked at the cost of using scent on the copies for sale.[9]

## Music video

[edit]

The music video was directed by Howard Greenhalgh. It primarily shows human figures interacting with cascades of water and milk, captured in intricate detail by the slow-motion footage.[8] The buildings on the background include Calatrava's Gare do Oriente and others from the Nations' Park area in Lisbon.[citation needed]

## Live performances

[edit]

Pet Shop Boys performed "Miracles" at the World Award ceremony in Hamburg in October 2003,[10] where they were honoured for their contribution to music and their charitable work.[11] In December 2012, Pet Shop Boys played a concert with the BBC Philharmonic for Radio 2, accompanied by the Manchester Chamber Choir, who "brought ethereal beauty" to "Miracles", according to Tennant.[12] The song was part of the set list on the Electric Tour from 2013–2014.[13][14] "Miracles" was also performed at a concert in support of the Teenage Cancer Trust with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Royal Albert Hall in 2017.[15]

## Track listings

[edit]

All tracks are written by Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe except where noted.

* UK CD single 1

1. "Miracles" – 3:57
2. "We're the Pet Shop Boys" (My Robot Friend) – 4:39

* UK CD single 2

1. "Miracles" (extended mix) – 5:46
2. "Miracles" (Lemon Jelly remix) – 6:19
3. "Transparent" – 3:53

* Japanese CD maxi single

1. "Miracles" (radio edit) – 3:57
2. "We're the Pet Shop Boys" (My Robot Friend) – 4:39
3. "Miracles" (Lemon Jelly remix) – 6:19
4. "Transparent" – 3:53
5. "Miracles" (Eric Prydz remix) – 7:34
6. "Miracles" (12″ version) – 5:46

* UK 12-inch single

A. "Miracles" (Lemon Jelly remix) – 6:19
B1. "Miracles" (Eric Prydz remix) – 7:34
B2. "Miracles" (extended mix) – 5:46

## Personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from the liner notes of PopArt: The Hits[16] and "Miracles".[17]

Pet Shop Boys

* Chris Lowe
* Neil Tennant

Additional musicians

* Stuart Crichton – additional keyboards

Technical personnel

* Adam F – production, engineering, mixing
* Dan Fresh Stein – production, engineering, mixing
* Stuart Crichton – additional production, mixing
* Pete Craigie – additional mixing
* Anne Dudley – orchestra arrangement, conducting

Artwork

* Farrow Design/PSB – design, art direction

## Charts

[edit]

Chart performance for "Miracles"  Chart (2003–2004)  | Peak
position

|

Australia (ARIA)[18] | 76
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[19] | 17
Denmark (Tracklisten)[20] | 5
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[21] | 19
France (SNEP)[22] | 81
Germany (GfK)[23] | 20
Italy (FIMI)[24] | 47
Japan (Oricon)[25] | 196
Romania (Romanian Top 100)[26] | 39
Scotland (OCC)[27] | 14
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[28] | 4
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[29] | 34
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[30] | 97
UK Singles (OCC)[31] | 10
UK Dance (OCC)[32] | 1

## External links

[edit]

Lyrics: Miracles

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. London. 15 November 2003. p. 29. Retrieved 19 April 2025 – via World Radio History.
2. ^ Jefferies, David. Pet Shop Boys - PopArt: The Hits (2003) Review at AllMusic. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
3. ^ Heath, Chris (2017). Release: Further Listening 2001–2004 (booklet). Pet Shop Boys. Parlophone Records. pp. 35–36\. 0190295921149.
4. ^ "Airplay: Radio" (PDF). Music Week. London. 8 November 2003. p. 25. Retrieved 19 April 2025 – via World Radio History.
5. ^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. London. 29 November 2003. p. 35. Retrieved 19 April 2025 – via World Radio History.
6. ^ Heath 2017, p. 41.
7. ^ Hutchison, David (7 September 2017). "Shoulda been huge: Robbie Williams' 'Rudebox'". Attitude. London. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
8. ^ a b Hoare, Philip; Heath, Chris (2006). Pet Shop Boys, Catalogue. New York: Thames & Hudson. p. 292–95. ISBN 9780500513071.
9. ^ Burgoyne, Patrick (1 February 2018). "Mark Farrow and Pet Shop Boys: The Perfect Pop Marriage?". Creative Review. London. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
10. ^ "Gorbatschow verleiht die World Awards". B.Z. (in German). Berlin: Bild Group. 21 October 2003. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
11. ^ "Top stars get World Awards". News24. 23 October 2003. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
12. ^ Tennant, Neil (6 December 2012). "The BBC Concert". petshopboys.co.uk. London. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
13. ^ Collins, Robert (4 October 2013). "Pet Shop Boys deliver art attack in Vancouver". CTV News. Vancouver. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
14. ^ Chiu, David (28 April 2014). "Pet Shop Boys Pump Out the Spectacular Beats and Grooves in NYC". Brooklyn Based. Brooklyn, NY. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
15. ^ Trendell, Andrew (3 April 2017). "Johnny Marr joins Pet Shop Boys and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Royal Albert Hall". NME. London. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
16. ^ Pet Shop Boys (2003). PopArt (liner notes). Parlophone Records. 07243 593884 2 7.
17. ^ Pet Shop Boys (2003). Miracles (liner notes). Parlophone Records. CDR 6620.
18. ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 216.
19. ^ "Pet Shop Boys – Miracles" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
20. ^ "Pet Shop Boys – Miracles". Tracklisten. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
21. ^ "European Top 20 Charts – Week Commencing 1st December 2003" (PDF). Billboard. p. 22\. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 February 2008. Retrieved 2 May 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
22. ^ "Pet Shop Boys – Miracles" (in French). Le classement de singles. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
23. ^ "Pet Shop Boys – Miracles" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
24. ^ "Pet Shop Boys – Miracles". Top Digital Download. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
25. ^ ペット・ショップ・ボーイズのシングル売り上げランキング [Pet Shop Boys single sales ranking] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on 19 March 2011. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
26. ^ "Romanian Top 100: Editia 3, saptamina 19.01 – 25.01, 2004" (in Romanian). Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on 13 October 2004. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
27. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
28. ^ "Pet Shop Boys – Miracles" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
29. ^ "Pet Shop Boys – Miracles". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
30. ^ "Pet Shop Boys – Miracles". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
31. ^ "Pet Shop Boys: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
32. ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 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

Authority control databases |

* MusicBrainz release group

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