{{Short description|1996 single by Pet Shop Boys}} {{For|other songs of the same name|Before (disambiguation)}} {{Use British English|date=August 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}} {{Infobox song | name = Before | cover = Before-PetShopBoys.jpg | alt = | type = single | artist = Pet Shop Boys | album = Bilingual | B-side = * "The Truck-Driver and His Mate" * "Hit and Miss" * "In the Night '95" | released = {{start date|1996|4|22|df=y}} | recorded = June 1995 | studio = Bass Hit, Axis (New York City)<ref name="CD1 liner"/> | genre = * Disco<ref name="AllMusic Staff">{{AllMusic |class=album |id=mw0000072678 |title= Pet Shop Boys - ''Bilingual'' (1996) Review |last= AllMusic Staff|access-date= April 11, 2024}}</ref><ref name= "Flick 1996"/> * house<ref name= "Flick 1996"/> * electropop<ref name= "Flick 1996"/> * synth-pop<ref name="Edwards & Elliott 2023">{{cite web|first1= Luke|last1= Edwards|first2= Mark|last2= Elliott|title= Best Pet Shop Boys Songs: 30 Synth-Pop Hits Always On Our Mind|website= Dig!|date= June 16, 2023|url= https://www.thisisdig.com/feature/best-pet-shop-boys-songs/|access-date= 24 September 2025|archive-date= 30 May 2025|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20250530154410/https://www.thisisdig.com/feature/best-pet-shop-boys-songs/|url-status=dead}}</ref> <!-- Do not add unsourced genres --> | length = 4:32 | label = * Parlophone * Atlantic | writer = * Neil Tennant * Chris Lowe | producer = * Pet Shop Boys * Danny Tenaglia | prev_title = Paninaro '95 | prev_year = 1995 | next_title = Se a vida é (That's the Way Life Is) | next_year = 1996 | misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|D0skdPRuPsk|"Before"}}}} }} "'''Before'''" is a song by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys, released on 22 April 1996 as the lead single from their sixth studio album, ''Bilingual'' (1996). Upon its release, the single peaked at number seven on the UK Singles Chart, number four in Finland, and number one in Hungary. In the United States, it topped the ''Billboard'' Dance Club Play chart.
==Background and recording== "Before" was written and recorded in New York City in June 1995.<ref name="bilingualfurther">{{Cite AV media notes |title=Bilingual: Further Listening 1995–1997|title-link=Bilingual (album)|last=Heath|first=Chris|author-link=Chris Heath|others=Pet Shop Boys|year=2018|pages=1|type=booklet|publisher=Parlophone Records|id=0190295788292}}</ref> Pet Shop Boys' intention was to make a song for the American market. Their original plan was to work with David Morales, but he canceled after the studio had been booked.{{efn|Pet Shop Boys eventually worked with Morales on "New York City Boy" (1999).<ref>{{Cite AV media notes |title=Nightlife: Further Listening 1996–2000|title-link=Nightlife (Pet Shop Boys album)|last=Heath|first=Chris|author-link=Chris Heath|others=Pet Shop Boys|year=2017|pages=2, 16|type=booklet|publisher=Parlophone Records|id=0190295921132}}</ref>}} Danny Tenaglia agreed to produce the track on short notice.{{sfn|Heath|2018|pp=15–16}} Barbara Tucker, Karen Bernod, and Carole Sylvan sang backing vocals, and Peter Daou played keyboards.{{sfn|Heath|2018|p=34}}
Lyricist Neil Tennant described "Before" as a love song and "a song of encouragement".<ref>{{cite web |author=<!-- not stated -->|date=22 April 1996|title=Product: Before |url=https://www.petshopboys.co.uk/product/single/before |website=petshopboys.co.uk|location=London|access-date=30 May 2025}}</ref> He compared it to "Love Comes Quickly" (1986), addressed to someone who had experienced romantic disappointment.{{sfn|Heath|2018|pp=15–16}}
==Release== "Before" preceded the album's September release, issued on 22 April 1996 by Parlophone. It was Pet Shop Boys' 26th hit single, debuting at number seven on the UK Singles Chart the week of 4 May.<ref name="single release">{{cite magazine |author=<!-- not stated -->|date=4 May 1996|title=New Entries: Singles|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Hit-Music/1996/Hit-Music-1996-05-04.pdf |magazine=Hit Music|issue=185|page=12|location=London|access-date=29 May 2025|via=World Radio History}}</ref> The song was in rotation on 67 radio stations in 19 countries across Europe in May,<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Kops|first=Pieter|date=18 May 1996|title=Airplay Action|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1996/MM-1996-05-18.pdf |magazine=Music & Media|page=33|location=London|access-date=30 May 2025}}</ref> and it reached number five on the Airplay 100 chart in the UK.<ref>{{cite magazine |author=<!-- not stated -->|date=11 May 1996|title=Radio Activity|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Hit-Music/1996/Hit-Music-1996-05-11.pdf |magazine=Hit Music|issue=186|page=25|location=London|access-date=29 May 2025|via=World Radio History}}</ref>
The CD1 single featured two new songs, "The Truck-Driver and His Mate" and "Hit and Miss", as well as a new instrumental version of the 1985 song "In the Night", remixed for use as the theme song of the BBC One programme ''The Clothes Show''.<ref name="single release"/>{{efn| "In the Night '95" had also been a B-side to "Paninaro '95" the previous year.<ref name="single release"/>}} A second CD single featured five remixes of "Before": the Classic Paradise mix and the Aphrodisiac mix by Love to Infinity; the Hed Boys mix and the extended mix by Dave Lee (aka Joey Negro) and Andrew Livingstone; and a remix by the song's producer, Danny Tenaglia.<ref name="MW promo">{{cite magazine |last=Gorman|first=Paul|date=13 April 1996|title=Pet Shop Boys|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1996/Music-Week-1996-04-13.pdf |magazine=Music Week|pages=22–23|location=London|access-date=16 May 2025|via=World Radio History}}</ref>
In the United States, a different set of remixes was released on 12-inch double vinyl on 17 June and as a CD maxi-single in July.<ref name="Mirkin 1996">{{cite magazine |last=Mirkin|first=Steven|date=10 August 1996|title=Pet Shop Boys Reopen on Atlantic with 'Bilingual'|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1996/BB-1996-08-10.pdf |magazine=Billboard|pages=14, 16|location=New York|access-date=25 May 2025|via=World Radio History}}</ref> An enhanced CD contained bonus multimedia content, including the music video, song lyrics, and photos.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Atwood|first=Brett|date=17 August 1996|title=Reviews & Previews|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1996/BB-1996-08-17.pdf |magazine=Billboard|pages=78|location=New York|access-date=25 May 2025|via=World Radio History}}</ref>
"Before" was Pet Shop Boys' debut on their new American label, Atlantic Records.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Atwood|first=Brett|date=22 June 1996|title=Atlantic Opens 'Arena' for Cybercasts|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1996/BB-1996-06-22.pdf |magazine=Billboard|page=76|location=New York|access-date=25 May 2025|via=World Radio History}}</ref> At the time, Pet Shop Boys continued to perform well on the dance charts, but radio airplay had declined in the US.<ref>{{cite web |last=Galipault|first=Gerry|year=1996|title=Pet Shop Boys still rule the dance floor but not the airwaves|url=https://www.pauseandplay.com/pet-shop-boys-still-rule-the-dance-floor-but-not-the-airwaves/ |website=Pause & Play|location=Columbus, Ohio|access-date=28 May 2025}}</ref> Atlantic launched a marketing campaign to promote the single through both club and radio play. In July, the radio edit of "Before" was sent to contemporary hit radio, alternative, and campus radio stations. The college stations also received a recorded interview of Tennant conducted by Stephin Merritt.<ref name="Mirkin 1996"/><ref name="RandR"/>
In May, Atlantic's gay marketing division promoted "Before" with launch parties at gay nightclubs paired with local advertising in Minneapolis, Houston, New York, San Francisco, and Chicago, where Pet Shop Boys had previous commercial success. Prior to the US release, 300 import copies of the 12-inch single were sent to club DJs, with a third of them going to gay clubs. "Before" reached number one on ''Billboard'' magazine's Dance Club Play chart.<ref name="Mirkin 1996"/> It also peaked at number seven on both the Maxi-Singles Sales and the Bubbling Under Hot 100 charts.<ref name="Billboard">{{cite magazine |author=<!-- not stated -->|title=Pet Shop Boys: Chart History|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/pet-shop-boys/chart-history/|magazine=Billboard|location=New York|access-date=30 May 2025}}</ref>
===Artwork=== The photos of the duo on the single sleeves were done by Brad Branson, using a solarization technique. Designer Mark Farrow applied spot varnish to enhance the effect. CD1 (pictured) showed Neil Tennant and CD2 featured Chris Lowe.<ref name="catalogue">{{cite book |last1=Hoare|first1=Philip|last2=Heath|first2=Chris|year=2006|title=Pet Shop Boys, Catalogue|location=New York|publisher=Thames & Hudson|pages=212–15|isbn=9780500513071}}</ref>
The sleeve of the UK promotional 12-inch vinyl of "Before" used a photo showing male nudity from a book by artist Richard Prince.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Burgoyne|first=Patrick|date=1 February 2018|title=Mark Farrow and Pet Shop Boys: The Perfect Pop Marriage?|url=https://www.creativereview.co.uk/mark-farrow-pet-shop-boys-perfect-pop-marriage/ |url-access=subscription|magazine=Creative Review|location=London|access-date=30 May 2025}}</ref><ref name="Flick 1996"/> It was intended as a humorous representation of "before arousal". The image was used in duplicate on promotional copies of "The Truck-Driver and His Mate".{{sfn|Heath|2018|p=21}}<ref name="catalogue"/>
==Critical reception== Larry Flick from ''Billboard'' described the song as "a tasteful blend of electro-pop and retro-disco",<ref name="Flick 1996">{{cite magazine|first=Larry|last=Flick|title=Dance Trax: Brutally Honest Ngedéocello Says A Mouthful|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1996/BB-1996-05-18.pdf|magazine=Billboard|date=18 May 1996|page=26|accessdate=27 November 2022|author-link=Larry Flick}}</ref> and a "vigorous and appealing house shuffler". He also noted that it "rides the act's familiar flair for clever lyrics and smooth melodies".<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Larry|last=Flick|title=Reviews & Previews: Singles|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1996/BB-1996-06-29.pdf|magazine=Billboard|date=29 June 1996|page=80|accessdate=28 November 2022|author-link=Larry Flick}}</ref> Victoria Segal of ''Melody Maker'' called it "steeped in standard Petties loser-in-love-and-therefore-in-life melancholy, all panpipes and high-pitched female vocals, a sort of thick sadness curdling Neil Tennant's voice". She noted that the B-side "The Truck-Driver and His Mate" was the "killer track", with its "filthiest beat", "synthesised sighs" and Tennant's "voice all over it".<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Segal |first=Victoria |title=Singles |magazine=Melody Maker |date=13 April 1996 |page=36 |issn=0025-9012}}</ref> James Hamilton from ''Music Week'''s ''RM'' Dance Update noted its "gentle cooing".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1996/Music-Week-1996-04-27.pdf|title=DJ Directory|last=Hamilton|first=James|magazine=Music Week|via=Record Mirror|page=11|date=27 April 1996|access-date=16 August 2021|author-link=James Hamilton (DJ and journalist)}}</ref>
==Music video== The accompanying music video for "Before" was directed by Howard Greenhalgh.<ref name="MW promo"/>
==Track listings== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} * '''UK CD1 and Australian CD single'''<ref name="CD1 liner">{{cite AV media notes|title=Before|year=1996|type=UK CD1 liner notes|publisher=Parlophone|id=CDRS 6431, 7243 8 82809 2 1}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Before|year=1996|type=Australian CD single liner notes|publisher=Parlophone|id=8828352}}</ref> # "Before" – 4:05 # "The Truck-Driver and His Mate" – 3:33 # "Hit and Miss" – 4:05 # "In the Night 1995" – 4:17
* '''UK CD2'''<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Before|year=1996|type=UK CD2 liner notes|publisher=Parlophone|id=CDR 6431, 7243 882810 2 7}}</ref> # "Before" (Classic Paradise mix) – 7:56 # "Before" (Aphrodisiac mix) – 7:27 # "Before" (Hed Boys mix) – 7:33 # "Before" (extended mix) – 8:47 # "Before" (Danny Tenaglia mix) – 7:17
* '''UK and Australian cassette single; European CD single'''<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Before|year=1996|type=UK cassette single sleeve|publisher=Parlophone|id=TCR 6431, 7243 8 82809 4 5}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Before|year=1996|type=Australian cassette single sleeve|publisher=Parlophone|id=8 82809 4}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Before|year=1996|type=European CD single liner notes|publisher=Parlophone|id=7243 8 82834 2 7}}</ref> # "Before" – 4:05 # "The Truck-Driver and His Mate" – 3:33
* '''UK 3×12-inch single'''<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Before|year=1996|type=UK 3×12-inch single sleeve|publisher=Parlophone|id=12RX 6431, 7243 8 82899 6 2}}</ref> :A1. "Before" (Underground mix) – 7:17 :A2. "Before" (bonus dub) – 4:03 :B1. "Before" (Underground instrumental) – 7:17 :B2. "Before" (bonus beats) – 4:03 :C1. "Before" (Classic Paradise mix) – 7:56 :D1. "Before" (Aphrodisiac mix) – 7:27 :E1. "Before" (Hed Boys mix) – 7:33 :E2. "Before" (Hed Boys dub) – 4:55 :F1. "Before" (Joey Negro extended mix) – 8:47
* '''US CD single'''<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Before|year=1996|type=US CD single liner notes|publisher=Atlantic Records|id=87049-2}}</ref> # "Before" (album version) – 4:05 # "The Truck-Driver and His Mate" – 3:33 # "Hit and Miss" – 4:05 # "Before" (video) {{col-2}} * '''US maxi-CD single'''<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Before|year=1996|type=US maxi-CD single liner notes|publisher=Atlantic Records|id=85489-2}}</ref> # "Before" (album version) – 4:05 # "Before" (D.T.'s After mix) – 8:46 # "Before" (Classic Paradise mix—Love to Infinity) – 7:56 # "Before" (Joey Negro's Hed Boys mix) – 7:35 # "Before" (Joey Negro's Before dub) – 4:55 # "Before" (Tenaglia's Underground mix) – 7:17 # "Before" (Tenaglia's bonus beats) – 4:03 # "Before" (D.T.'s Twilo dub) – 8:57 # "Before" (Tenaglia's Bonus dub) – 4:03
* '''US 2×12-inch single'''<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Before|year=1996|type=US 2×12-inch single sleeve|publisher=Atlantic Records|id=0-85489}}</ref> :A1. "Before" (D.T.'s After mix) – 8:46 :A2. "Before" (Tenaglia's Bonus dub) – 4:03 :B1. "Before" (Classic Paradise mix—Love to Infinity) – 7:56 :B2. "Before" (Tenaglia's bonus beats) – 4:03 :C1. "Before" (Joey Negro's Hed Boys mix) – 7:35 :C2. "Before" (Joey Negro's Before dub) – 4:55 :D1. "Before" (Tenaglia's Underground mix) – 7:17 :D2. "Before" (D.T.'s Twilo dub) – 8:57
* '''US cassette single'''<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Before|year=1996|type=US cassette single sleeve|publisher=Atlantic Records|id=4-87049}}</ref> # "Before" (album version) – 4:05 # "The Truck-Driver and His Mate" – 3:33 # "Hit and Miss" – 4:05 {{col-end}}
==Personnel== Personnel are adapted from the liner notes of ''Bilingual: Further Listening 1995–1997'' and ''Before''.{{sfn|Heath|2018|p=34}}<ref name="CD1 liner"/>
'''Pet Shop Boys''' *Chris Lowe *Neil Tennant
'''Additional musicians''' *Danny Tenaglia – drum programming *Louie 'Balo' Guzman – drum programming *Peter Daou – keyboards *Phil Pagano – programming *Barbara Tucker – backing vocals *Karen Bernod – backing vocals *Carole Sylvan – backing vocals
'''Technical personnel''' *Pet Shop Boys – production *Danny Tenaglia – production *Dana Vlcek – recording and mix engineer *Rob Rives – assistant engineer
'''Artwork''' *Farrow Design – design *Brad Branson – photography
==Charts== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}}
===Weekly charts=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+ Weekly chart performance for "Before" ! scope="col"| Chart (1996) ! scope="col"| Peak<br/>position |- {{single chart|Australia|25|artist=Pet Shop Boys|song=Before|rowheader=true|accessdate=11 April 2018}} |- {{single chart|Austria|38|artist=Pet Shop Boys|song=Before|rowheader=true|accessdate=11 April 2018}} |- {{single chart|Canadatopsingles|79|chartid=9911|rowheader=true|accessdate=11 April 2018}} |- {{single chart|Canadadance|19|chartid=9931|rowheader=true|accessdate=11 April 2018}} |- ! scope="row"| Europe (Eurochart Hot 100 Singles)<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-UK/Music/Archive-Music-Media-IDX/IDX/90s/96/MM-1996-05-11-OCR-Page-0022.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|magazine=Music & Media|volume=13|issue=19|date=11 May 1996|page=22|oclc=29800226|via=World Radio History}}</ref> | 29 |- {{single chart|Finland|4|artist=Pet Shop Boys|song=Before|rowheader=true|accessdate=11 April 2018}} |- {{single chart|Germany|45|songid=3224|artist=Pet Shop Boys|song=Before|rowheader=true|accessdate=11 April 2018}} |- ! scope="row"| Hungary (MAHASZ)<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-UK/Music/Archive-Music-Media-IDX/IDX/90s/96/MM-1996-06-08-OCR-Page-0018.pdf|title=Top National Sellers|magazine=Music & Media|volume=13|issue=23|date=8 June 1996|page=18|oclc=29800226|via=World Radio History}}</ref> | 1 |- ! scope="row"| Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timarit.is/page/2940559?lang=is|title=Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 Nr. 170 (vikuna 18.5. – 24.5. '96)|newspaper=DV|language=is|date=18 May 1996|page=26|issn=1021-8254|via=Timarit.is}}</ref> | 38 |- ! scope="row"| Italy (''Musica e dischi'')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicaedischi.it/classifiche_archivio.php|title=Classifiche|work=Musica e dischi|language=it|access-date=30 May 2022}} ''Select "Singoli" in the "Tipo" field, type "Pet Shop Boys" in the "Artista" field and press "cerca".''</ref> | 16 |- ! scope="row"| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.top40.nl/pet-shop-boys/pet-shop-boys-before-13498 |title=Pet Shop Boys – Before |publisher=Dutch Top 40 |language=nl |access-date=26 October 2020}}</ref> | 2 |- ! scope="row"| Netherlands (Dutch Single Tip)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Pet+Shop+Boys&titel=Before&cat=s |title=Pet Shop Boys – Before |publisher=Dutch Charts |language=nl |access-date=10 July 2021}}</ref> | 4 |- {{single chart|Scotland|8|date=19960428|rowheader=true|accessdate=11 April 2018}} |- {{single chart|Sweden|10|artist=Pet Shop Boys|song=Before|rowheader=true|accessdate=11 April 2018}} |- {{single chart|Switzerland|31|artist=Pet Shop Boys|song=Before|rowheader=true|accessdate=11 April 2018}} |- {{single chart|UKsinglesbyname|7|artist=Pet Shop Boys|artistid=26802|rowheader=true|accessdate=26 October 2020}} |- {{single chart|Billboardbubbling100|7|artist=Pet Shop Boys|rowheader=true|accessdate=11 April 2018}} |- {{single chart|Billboarddanceclubplay|1|artist=Pet Shop Boys|rowheader=true|accessdate=11 April 2018}} |- {{single chart|Billboarddancesales|7|artist=Pet Shop Boys|rowheader=true|accessdate=26 October 2020}} |} {{col-2}}
===Year-end charts=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+ Year-end chart performance for "Before" ! scope="col"| Chart (1996) ! scope="col"| Position |- ! scope="row"| US Dance Club Play (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sQkEAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA19 |title=The Year in Music – Hot Dance Music Club Play Singles |magazine=Billboard |volume=108 |issue=52 |date=28 December 1996 |page=YE-44 |issn=0006-2510 |via=Google Books}}</ref> | 37 |} {{col-end}}
==Release history== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |+ Release dates and formats for "Before" ! scope="col"| Region ! scope="col"| Date ! scope="col"| Format(s) ! scope="col"| Label(s) ! scope="col"| {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- ! scope="row" rowspan="2"| United Kingdom | 22 April 1996 | {{hlist|CD|cassette}} | rowspan="2"| Parlophone | <ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1996/Music-Week-1996-04-20.pdf|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=27|date=20 April 1996|access-date=18 August 2021}}</ref> |- | 20 May 1996 | 3×12-inch vinyl | <ref>{{cite magazine|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=25|date=18 May 1996}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" rowspan="3"| United States | 17 June 1996 | 12-inch vinyl | rowspan="3"| Atlantic | <ref name="mirkin">{{cite magazine|title=Pet Shop Boys Reopen on Atlantic With 'Bilingual'|last=Mirkin|first=Steven|magazine=Billboard|volume=108|issue=32|pages=14, 16|date=10 August 1996}}</ref> |- | 17 July 1996 | Enhanced CD | <ref name="mirkin"/> |- | 23 July 1996 | {{hlist|Rhythmic contemporary|contemporary hit radio}} | <ref name="RandR">{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1996/R&R-1996-07-19.pdf|title=Selected New Releases|magazine=Radio & Records|issue=1155|pages=44, 50|date=19 July 1996|access-date=18 August 2021}}</ref> |}
==Notes== {{notelist}}
==External links== *[https://www.petshopboys.co.uk/lyrics/before Lyrics: Before]
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Pet Shop Boys singles}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:1995 songs Category:1996 singles Category:Atlantic Records singles Category:House music songs Category:Music videos directed by Howard Greenhalgh Category:Number-one singles in Hungary Category:Parlophone singles Category:Pet Shop Boys songs Category:Songs written by Chris Lowe Category:Songs written by Neil Tennant