''Christmas'' is an

extended play An extended play record, usually referred to as an EP, is a musical recording that contains more tracks than a single but fewer than an album or LP record.

(EP) by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys. It was released on 14 December 2009 by

Parlophone Parlophone Records Limited (also known as Parlophone Records and Parlophone) is a German–British record label founded in Germany in 1896 by the Carl Lindström Company as Parlophon. The British branch of the label was founded on 8 August 192 ...

. The EP contains a new version of their exclusive 1997 fan club single "It Doesn't Often Snow at Christmas" and a new version of the track "All Over the World" from their tenth studio album '' Yes'', both of which featured additional production by

Marius de Vries Marius de Vries (born 1961) is an English music producer and composer. He has won a Grammy Award from four nominations, two BAFTA Awards, and an Ivor Novello Award. Education Marius de Vries was educated at St Paul's Cathedral School, Bedfor ...

. The EP also includes a cover of Madness' song " My Girl", along with a remix of it, as well as a medley of Pet Shop Boys' 1988 song "

Domino Dancing "Domino Dancing" is a song by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys, released as the lead single from their third studio album, ''Introspective'' (1988). It reached number seven on the UK Singles Chart and topped the charts in Finland and Spain. ...

" with

Coldplay Coldplay are a British rock band formed in London in 1997. They consist of vocalist and pianist Chris Martin, guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman, drummer Will Champion and creative director Phil Harvey. They met at University ...

's 2008 song "

Viva la Vida "Viva la Vida" (, ; ) is a song by British rock band Coldplay. It was written by all members of the band for their fourth album, ''Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends'' (2008). The lyrics to the song contain historical and Christian refe ...

". "All Over the World" was released to radio stations as a promotional recording and was given its first airing on Chris Evans's BBC Radio 2 show on 9 November 2009. "It Doesn't Often Snow at Christmas" followed three weeks later in the first week of December. Following the release of the EP, "It Doesn't Often Snow at Christmas" entered the

UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...

on 26 December 2009 at number 40, and is to date the last Pet Shop Boys single to have entered the UK top 40. The video for "All Over the World" was directed by Blue Leach and features live highlights from the Pandemonium tour. It was posted online a few days prior to the EP's release. The cover artwork continues the balloon motif from the Brazilian compilation ''

Party A party is a gathering of people who have been invited by a host for the purposes of socializing, conversation, recreation, or as part of a festival or other commemoration or celebration of a special occasion. A party will often featur ...

''.

Track listing

Notes

* signifies an assistant producer

Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of ''Christmas''.

Musicians

* Matt Robertson – new programming, orchestral arrangements * Jason Boshoff – new programming * Chris Storr – trumpet solo * Pete Gleadall – original programming ; programming *

Stuart Price Stuart David Price (born 9 September 1977) is an English electronic musician, DJ, songwriter, and record producer known for his work with artists including Madonna, Dua Lipa, The Killers, New Order, Kylie Minogue, DMA's, Example, Take ...

– arrangements * Pet Shop Boys – arrangements *

– orchestral arrangements * Perry Montague-Mason – leader of the orchestra * Jenny O'Grady – choirmaster

Technical

* Pet Shop Boys – original track production ; new production ; production ; remix * Marius de Vries – new production *

Tim Weidner Tim Weidner is an engineer and producer, best known for his work with Trevor Horn. Biography Weidner has produced for Dead or Alive. He has done mixing for artists including Seal, Mike Oldfield (''Tubular Bells II''), Art of Noise, Captain and Gu ...

– mixing *

Brian Higgins Brian Michael Higgins (born October 6, 1959) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for , serving since 2005. The district, numbered as the 27th district from 2005 to 2013 but as the 26th since 2013, includes Buffalo and N ...

– original track production *

Xenomania Xenomania is an English songwriting and production team founded by Brian Higgins and based in Kent, England. Formed by Higgins with his Creative Director Miranda Cooper and Business Director Sarah Stennett of First Access Entertainment, Xenoman ...

– original track production * Stuart Price – production, mixing * Dave Emery – production assistance * Gary Thomas – orchestra and choir recording * Mat Bartram – orchestra and choir recording assistance * Andy Bradfield – orchestra and choir mixing * Mo Hausler – orchestra and choir mixing assistance * Izzy Morley – orchestra and choir mixing assistance * Tim Young – mastering

Artwork

Farrow Farrow is a hypercorrected form of Ferror (''Farrar''), an occupational surname for a blacksmith or an ironworker, an old name of early Medieval English and French origin. The name derives from the Middle English and Old French terms "ferrer, ferr ...

– design, art direction * PSB – design, art direction * John Ross – photography

Charts

References

{{Authority control 2009 EPs Albums produced by Marius de Vries Albums produced by Stuart Price Christmas EPs Parlophone EPs Pet Shop Boys EPs