Numb (Pet Shop Boys song)

Composed by American songwriter Diane Warren, known for many commercial radio-friendly hits, "Numb" was originally acquired by Pet Shop Boys to be one of the new singles on the 2003 compilation PopArt: The Hits. The song was previously offered to Aerosmith, whose song "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" was written by Warren, but they turned it down.^[3]

Pet Shop Boys recorded a demo of "Numb" in 2003. At that time, they asked Trevor Horn to produce it to give the song an epic sound.^[4] It opens with a dramatic orchestral intro, arranged by Steve Sidwell.^[5] The track was essentially finished when the duo decided to save "Numb" for their next album, Fundamental, which Horn also produced.^[4] A few adjustments were made during the 2005 album sessions; Tennant changed the line "what's going down" to "what's going on" to make it sound more English.^[6] The single version omits the second verse and repeats the middle section, following the format of an edit of "Numb" made by the BBC for a montage after England was eliminated from the 2006 World Cup.^[7][8]

Warren wrote the song about the death of her mother.^[9] The Pet Shop Boys' interpretation alludes to the desire to sequester oneself from distressing news in the modern world.^[10] Within the context of Fundamental, the song has been interpreted as a reaction to terrorism after 9/11.^[11][9]

The cover photo was taken by Sam Taylor-Wood at the Jerusalem Tavern in Clerkenwell, London. It shows Pet Shop Boys wearing plague doctor masks that were bought in Venice.^[12][8]

The music video for "Numb" was directed by Julian Gibbs, Julian House, and Chris Sayer, who described it as inspired by "Russian constructivist cinema".^[13][1] The video uses a montage of Russian archival footage to depict a journey across a frozen landscape, reflecting the "emotional numbness" of the song. Tennant and Lowe appear briefly at the end.^[8]

Gibbs had previously directed a 2005 BBC television adaptation of The Snow Queen, which Sayer worked on as animation director.^[14] In addition, the Gibbs and House pair have previously directed music videos for Primal Scream, Luke Slater, and Doves.

Pet Shop Boys released a new radio edit of "Numb" as the third single from Fundamental, accompanied by new songs "Party Song" and "Bright Young Things" as B-sides.^[1] "Bright Young Things" was written and recorded in 2003 with co-production by Chris Zippel. It was originally intended for a film of the same title by Stephen Fry, but the filmmakers decided to use songs from the 1920s era instead.^[15]

A new remix of "Psychological" by Ewan Pearson was included on the limited-edition 12-inch release, and the two-track CD1 single included a live version of "West End Girls", which was recorded by BBC Radio 2 at the Mermaid Theatre in May 2006.^[16] This track is also featured on the Pet Shop Boys' first live album, Concrete, which was released the week following this single on 23 October 2006.^[17]

"Numb" was A-listed on the primary playlists at BBC Radio 2 and Capital Radio.^[18] The single peaked at number 23 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming the duo's second-least successful single at the time in terms of chart placement, after "Was It Worth It?" (#24 in 1991).^[2] It ranked at number seven on the Physical Singles chart.^[19]

Michael Hubbard of MusicOMH called the choice of "Numb" for a single a "surprise" and a "challenge". He described the intro as "the sort of orchestral sweep and drumroll that would herald a hero's death on the silver screen. As dramatic openings go, this well sets the scene for what follows". He concluded: "Having shown their deep, thoughtful side, hopefully the next single will be Integral".^[20]

"Numb" was performed on the Fundamental Tour and was included in the concert film Cubism.^[21][22] The song was also played with the BBC Concert Orchestra at a concert at the Mermaid Theatre in London in May 2006, which was released as the live album Concrete.^[23]

BBC used the song as the closing montage following England's defeat to Portugal in the 2006 World Cup quarter-final.^[24][25]

"Numb" is written by Diane Warren; additional tracks are by Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe.

• UK CD single (CDR 6723)

1. "Numb" (new radio version) – 3:30
2. "West End Girls" (live at the Mermaid Theatre) – 4:55

• UK CD maxi single (CDRS 6723)

1. "Numb" (PSB original demo) – 3:40
2. "Party Song" – 3:44
3. "Bright Young Things" – 4:57
4. "Numb" (music video) – 4:40

Tracks 2 and 3 on this release are reversed, making the track listing incorrect.

"Party song" includes elements of "That's the Way (I Like It)" by KC and the Sunshine Band.

• UK limited-edition 7-inch single (R 6723)

A. "Numb" (new radio version) – 3:30

B. "Party Song" – 3:44

• UK limited-edition 12-inch single (12R 6723)

A1. "Numb" (album version) – 4:44

A2. "Numb" (a cappella) – 3:29

B. "Psychological" (Ewan Pearson mix) – 8:37

Personnel are adapted from the liner notes for Fundamental: Further Listening 2005–2007^[26] and "Numb".^[27]

Pet Shop Boys

• Neil Tennant
• Chris Lowe

Additional musicians

• Gavyn Wright – orchestra leader
• Pete Murray – additional keyboards
• Jamie Muhoberac – additional keyboards
• Tim Pierce – acoustic guitars, electric guitars
• Earl Harvin – acoustic drums
• Luís Jardim – percussion
• Pete Gleadall – original programming
• Sylvia Mason-James – additional vocals (radio version)

Technical

• Trevor Horn – production
• Steve Sidwell – orchestral arrangement, conducting
• Robert Orton – recording engineering
• Tim Lambert – additional engineering
• Tim Weidner – engineering, mixing
• Phil Tyreman – engineering assistance
• Isobel Griffiths – orchestra contractor

Artwork

• Farrow and PSB – design, art direction
• Sam Taylor-Wood – photography