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Originally, the b-side to 'Rent'. It was released a second time as an album track on 'Introspective', remixed by Frankie Knuckles, and remixed a third time for US single releases of 'Where The Streets Have No Name'.

Release Date[]

  • 10 August, 1987

Background[]

Chris was responsible for all the music on this. The lyrics were from the band's friend Pete, whose direct quote was: 'I want a dog. A chihuahua. I've only got a small flat'. Neil says, "I laughed, and wrote it down straightaway...I think it's really sad, myself. It's about loneliness. It's why people have dogs - for love and security."

For the 'Introspective' version, the track takes on a less minimal approach than the original and becomes more house oriented. "It sounded really black and so there was this incredible contrast with my voice. This was still, relatively, the early days of house music...this version had a kind of dark deep house atmosphere to it. It brings out the song's sad sinister quality, and it's got a fantastic rhythm track."

The song came back for a third incarnation as a bonus remix available only on US copies of Where The Streets Have No Name (I Can't Take My Eyes Off You).

Trivia[]

  • The 'Meow' heard in the second verse was vocalized by engineer David Jacob.
  • When Chris is reciting the names of dogs, he actually says, 'Und Dachshund', which is a reference to Kraftwerk, whose music this section seems to emulate.

Official Versions[]

written by Lowe/Tennant. produced by Pet Shop Boys. engineered by David Jacob and Mike Neilsen.

  • 4:57 I Want A Dog original 'Rent' b-side

additional production and remix by Frankie Knuckles.

additional production and remix by Eddie Fowlkes and R.J. Rice.

Cover Versions by Other Artists[]

  • 2001 Cosmicity (Synthphony Records)
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