"In Private" was the third single in a row to be a charting success for United Kingdom, British singer Dusty Springfield, after an absence of nearly two decades from the charts. Both "In Private" and Springfield's previous single, "Nothing Has Been Proved" were produced by Pet Shop Boys, who helped return Springfield to prominence with their 1987 hit collaboration "What Have I Done to Deserve This? (song), What Have I Done to Deserve This?". Both Springfield singles were included on her 1990 British album ''Reputation (Dusty Springfield album), Reputation''.

Releases and chart performances

"In Private" peaked at #14 in the British charts. Though not released as a single in the United States, it proved to be popular with club Disc jockey, DJs on both coasts and charted on the Hot 100 Dance/Club Play charts, also at #14. A separate remix single with an orange cover - as opposed to the other formats' colours of green (see right; also used for 12" and 7" versions) and purple (for the CD single) - was also released both on 12" and CD in certain territories, featuring three radically rearranged and remixed dance versions by Shep Pettibone.

Critical reception

Bruce Eder from AllMusic commented, "She seems to reach that much higher and also that much deeper inside of herself on "In Private" and "Daydreaming" to much subtler effect; those cuts are very much of a piece with her best work on the ''Dusty in Memphis'', ''A Brand New Me (Dusty Springfield album), A Brand New Me'', and ''Cameo (album), Cameo'' albums". A reviewer from ''Music & Media'' described the song as "a strong number in a 60s style."

Cover versions

The song was later re-recorded and released in 2006 on ''Fundamentalism'', the limited edition second disc released with the Pet Shop Boys' album ''Fundamental (Pet Shop Boys album), Fundamental''. A different mix of this recording appeared as the b-side to the single "Minimal (song), Minimal", released the same year, and was subsequently included in the b-sides compilation ''Format (album), Format''. It is performed as a duet between Neil Tennant and Elton John. The fact that both of them are openly gay men makes all the more pointed the song's subject of a hidden relationship that one of the participants is ashamed to admit to, especially on the following lines: Tennant: "What you gonna say when you run back to your wife?" / John: "I guess it's just the story of my life...!" / Both: "What are you gonna say...?" The song was also recorded by the Swedish pop group, Nouveau Riche (Swedish band), Nouveau Riche, as a hidden track on their 2007 album "Pink Trash". In 2008, it was covered by another Swedish band, Sahara Hotnights, peaking at 7th position at the Sverigetopplistan, Swedish singles chart."Swedishcharts.com - Discography Sahara Hotnights"
Hung Medien. accessdate: 9 June 2014. In 1996, a Dutch cover version of the song was a big comeback hit for Flemish singer, Liliane Saint-Pierre.

Track listings

; 7" single / Cassette # "In Private" — 4:21 # "In Private" (instrumental) — 4:21 ; 12" maxi / CD maxi # "In Private" (12" version) — 7:12 # "In Private" (7" version) — 4:24 # "In Private" (instrumental version) — 4:24 ; 12" maxi / CD maxi - Remixes # "In Private" (remix) — 8:53 # "In Private" (dub) — 6:34 # "In Private" (bonus beats) — 3:56

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Personnel

* Written and produced by Pet Shop Boys * Backing vocals by Carol Kenyon and Katie Kissoon * Co-produced and mixed and engineered by Julian Mendelsohn * Assistant: Danton Supple * Fairlight- and keyboard programming by Gary Maughan * Remixes by Shep Pettibone * Artwork by 3a * Catalog#: ** on spine: 20 3618 6 ** on back sleeve K: 060 20 3618 6 ** on labels: 060-20 3618 6

References

{{authority control 1989 singles 1990 singles Dusty Springfield songs Pet Shop Boys Songs written by Neil Tennant Songs written by Chris Lowe 1989 songs Parlophone singles Sahara Hotnights songs