| Essential | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Compilation album by | ||||
| Released | 31 March 1998 | |||
| Recorded | 1985–1990 | |||
| Genre | Electropop | |||
| Label | EMI/Capitol | |||
| Producer | Harold Faltermeyer Nicholas Froome Stephen Hague Trevor Horn David Jacobs J. J. Jeczalik Lewis Martineé Pet Shop Boys | |||
| Pet Shop Boys chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [1] |
| Pitchfork | 4.2/10[2] |
Essential is a 1998compilation album by Englishsynth-pop duoPet Shop Boys, released as a limited edition in the United States byEMI/Capitol and in Japan by Toshiba/EMI.[3] Produced for only six months, early promotional versions of the album had the titleEarly, as the tracks featured were part of Pet Shop Boys' early catalogue.[4] The album containedremixes as well as album tracks and B-sides. The CD booklet contains an essay written by music journalist and Pet Shop Boys biographerChris Heath.
While several of the selections had not been available on compact disc prior to its original release, as of 2018, it remains the only official CD appearance of the 7" version of "That's My Impression" (all other reissues and compilations using the "Disco" mix.)
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Domino Dancing" (Alternative version) | Neil Tennant,Chris Lowe | Lewis Martineé, Pet Shop Boys | 4:42 |
| 2. | "West End Girls" (Dance Mix) | Neil Tennant, Chris Lowe | Stephen Hague | 6:29 |
| 3. | "Opportunities (Let's Make Lots of Money)" (1985 7" version) | Neil Tennant, Chris Lowe | J. J. Jeczalik, Nicholas Froome | 3:48 |
| 4. | "Paninaro" (1986 7" version) | Neil Tennant, Chris Lowe | Pet Shop Boys | 4:40 |
| 5. | "That's My Impression" (7" version) | Neil Tennant, Chris Lowe | Pet Shop Boys | 4:48 |
| 6. | "We All Feel Better in the Dark" (Extended Mix) | Neil Tennant, Chris Lowe | Pet Shop Boys | 6:47 |
| 7. | "It Couldn't Happen Here" (LP version) | Neil Tennant, Chris Lowe,Ennio Morricone | Pet Shop Boys, David Jacobs | 5:20 |
| 8. | "It's Alright" (7" version) | Sterling Void | Trevor Horn | 4:20 |
| 9. | "Left to My Own Devices" (7" version) | Neil Tennant, Chris Lowe | Trevor Horn,Stephen Lipson | 4:46 |
| 10. | "In the Night" (Remix) | Neil Tennant, Chris Lowe | Pet Shop Boys | 6:28 |
| 11. | "Two Divided by Zero" (LP version) | Neil Tennant,Bobby Orlando | Stephen Hague | 3:36 |
| 12. | "Love Comes Quickly" (Dance Mix) | Neil Tennant, Chris Lowe, Stephen Hague | Stephen Hague | 6:48 |
| 13. | "Being Boring" (Extended version) | Neil Tennant, Chris Lowe | Pet Shop Boys,Harold Faltermeyer | 10:40 |
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States | — | 39,000[5] |
