"Leaving" is a song by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys from their eleventh studio album, Elysium (2012). It was released as the album's second single on 12 October 2012.[1] It entered the UK Singles Chart at number 44.[2]
Background and recording
"Leaving" takes the familiar notion that "love never dies", in the context of the end of a relationship, and relates it to the memories that remain after the death of a loved one. The song was written in early 2010, and lyricist Neil Tennant drew inspiration from the loss of his parents in 2008 and 2009.[3][4]
The verse "Our love is dead but the dead don't go away" came from an unreleased song titled "Heaven Is a Playground". Pet Shop Boys wrote a new chorus, and the reworked version, originally called "I'm Leaving", was earmarked for the next album. The demo is included on Yes: Further Listening 2008–2010, covering the songs from that period.[5]
Pet Shop Boys made three remixes of "Leaving": the Freedom remix, a club mix; the Side-by-side remix, a banging mix; and the Believe in PSB mix, an extended mix. Their remixes are included on Elysium: Further Listening 2011–2012. Dawson also made two remixes called HappySad and HappyHour.
Artwork
Two different sleeves depicting each of the Pet Shop Boys were designed by Farrow and PSB, with cover photos by Pelle Crépin. The photo of Lowe (pictured) shows him in profile wearing a quilted hat by JW Anderson, with flaps covering his eyes and neck.[6] This image is on the CD single[7] and digital single[8] and the 7" single.[9]
The photo of Tennant, in a bowler hat with his gloved hands covering his mouth, is on the 12" single[10] and on the "Leaving Remixed" CD[11] and digital single.[12] Both photos are on the "Leaving Again" remixes single.[13]
Music video
A black and white music video, directed by Pet Shop Boys,[14] shows the duo performing "Leaving" at an album preview concert in Berlin on 5 September 2012. Lowe is wearing the same headgear as on the cover of the single. Oren, Julia, and Maxine Waters appear on three individual screens onstage, providing pre-recorded backing vocals.[15][16] Interspersed with the concert footage are scenes around Berlin, on trains and in train stations.
