That's My Impression
Writers - Tennant/Lowe
First released - 1986
Original album - Alternative
Subsequent albums - Please 2001 reissue Further Listening 1984-1986 bonus disc
Other releases - b-side of single "Love Comes Quickly" (and making the US Dance chart at #10 in its own right as one-half of a double-sided dance hit)
Neil adopts the role of someone who goes out on the town in search of his straying lover. Among the "impressions" that he gets during the course of the evening is just how much of a lying cheat his lover is and how their relationship is doomed. The "Serpentine" referred to in the lyrics is a famous man-made lake in London's Hyde Park, located apparently not too far from where Neil and Chris were staying when they wrote this song.
According to the Boys, this was their first self-produced recording.
Annotations
- "Staring at faces by the Serpentine" – As noted above, the Serpentine is a constructed lake in London's Hyde Park. Not surprisingly, its name comes from its long, winding, snake-like shape. A similarly winding paved walking path along its banks is popular among Londoners seeking recreation and exercise.
- "I went for shelter to the temple" – Possibly a reference to Queen Caroline's Temple, one of the landmark memorials located along the Serpentine. Queen Caroline was the wife of Britain's King George II. Instrumental in the development of Hyde Park, he ordered in 1730 the damming of the Westbourne River, which resulted in the formation of the Serpentine. She also ordered the construction of a summerhouse amidst the nearby gardens, which eventually became known as her "temple."
Mixes
Officially released
- Mixer: Pet Shop Boys
- 7" Version (4:45)
- Available on Essential
- Disco Mix (5:18)
- Available on Alternative and the Further Listening bonus disc with the Please reissue
- Demo (4:16)
- Promo only
- 7" Version (4:45)
Official but unreleased
- Mixer: unknown
- Extended Mix (5:56)
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