Snobbery And Decay
Encyclopedia
"Snobbery and Decay" is the first single by Act
. It was released by ZTT Records
in a number of formats on and reached #60 in the UK Singles Chart
.
According to Claudia Brücken
, "The whole idea was based on a programme called Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous
. That was when we discovered how much we wanted to write about that idea and what a great introduction it would be for Thomas and me to have a duet as a first single. Two characters talking about that whole thing."
The orchestral arrangement for "Snobbery and Decay" was made by David Bedford
. A number of remixes were done by Mastermind Herbie
for a promotional 12". These mixes have not yet been released commercially.
The single also features a cover of "I'd Be Surprisingly Good for You" from the musical Evita, chosen according to Thomas Leer
, because "we both dislike Andrew Lloyd Webber
intensely. We wanted to do something from a musical, something that was crap and that we could make great. It also fitted the idea of the package." An additional instrumental mix of the track entitled "I'd be Surprisingly Instrumental for You" surfaced on the band's box set in 2004.
and Claudia Brücken
, except where noted.
Act (band)
Act were a short-lived synthpop group signed to ZTT Records in the late 1980s, and comprising Thomas Leer and ex-Propaganda vocalist Claudia Brücken. Besides electro-pop and disco the group were also influenced by psychedelic rock and musical theatre...
. It was released by ZTT Records
ZTT Records
ZTT Records is a record label founded in 1983 by NME journalist Paul Morley, record producer Trevor Horn, and businesswoman Jill Sinclair. The label's name was also printed as "Zang Tumb Tuum" and "Zang Tuum Tumb" on various releases....
in a number of formats on and reached #60 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
.
According to Claudia Brücken
Claudia Brücken
Claudia Brücken is a German singer who fronted the synthpop groups Propaganda and Act. Since 1996 she has been working with OMD member Paul Humphreys, first without a name, since 2004 as Onetwo...
, "The whole idea was based on a programme called Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous
Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous
Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous is a television series that aired in syndication from 1984 to 1995. The show featured the extravagant lifestyles of wealthy entertainers, athletes and business moguls....
. That was when we discovered how much we wanted to write about that idea and what a great introduction it would be for Thomas and me to have a duet as a first single. Two characters talking about that whole thing."
The orchestral arrangement for "Snobbery and Decay" was made by David Bedford
David Bedford
David Vickerman Bedford , was an English composer and musician. He wrote and played both popular and classical music....
. A number of remixes were done by Mastermind Herbie
Herbie the Mastermind
Herbie the Mastermind is a DJ who has worked under a variety of pseudonyms, including The Rapologists and Mastermind...
for a promotional 12". These mixes have not yet been released commercially.
The single also features a cover of "I'd Be Surprisingly Good for You" from the musical Evita, chosen according to Thomas Leer
Thomas Leer
Thomas Leer is a British musician who as well as releasing a number of albums and singles in his own right, was also one half of the 1980s electropop band Act...
, because "we both dislike Andrew Lloyd Webber
Andrew Lloyd Webber
Andrew Lloyd Webber, Baron Lloyd-Webber is an English composer of musical theatre.Lloyd Webber has achieved great popular success in musical theatre. Several of his musicals have run for more than a decade both in the West End and on Broadway. He has composed 13 musicals, a song cycle, a set of...
intensely. We wanted to do something from a musical, something that was crap and that we could make great. It also fitted the idea of the package." An additional instrumental mix of the track entitled "I'd be Surprisingly Instrumental for You" surfaced on the band's box set in 2004.
Track listing
All songs written and composed by Thomas LeerThomas Leer
Thomas Leer is a British musician who as well as releasing a number of albums and singles in his own right, was also one half of the 1980s electropop band Act...
and Claudia Brücken
Claudia Brücken
Claudia Brücken is a German singer who fronted the synthpop groups Propaganda and Act. Since 1996 she has been working with OMD member Paul Humphreys, first without a name, since 2004 as Onetwo...
, except where noted.
7" vinyl
- UK: ZTT / ZTAS 28
- Europe: IslandIsland RecordsIsland Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
/ 109 105
Cassette
- UK: ZTT / CTIS 28 (titled "Cabaret Cassette!")
12" vinyl
- UK: ZTT / 12 ZACT 28 (limited edition in gatefold sleeve)
- UK: ZTT / 12 ZTAS 28
- Europe: Island / 609 105
- Spain: Island / 3A 609105
- UK: ZTT / 12 XACT 28 (initial copies came with an Act poster)
- UK: ZTT / CT 01 (promo with remixes by Mastermind HerbieHerbie the MastermindHerbie the Mastermind is a DJ who has worked under a variety of pseudonyms, including The Rapologists and Mastermind...
)
CD
- UK: ZTT / CID 28 (titled "Emotional Highlights from Snobbery & Decay")