"Minimal" is a song by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys from their ninth studio album, Fundamental (2006). It was released on 24 July 2006 as the album's second single. "Minimal" reached number 19 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming the duo's 37th top-20 entry in the United Kingdom, and it was the number five Hot Dance Club Play Track of 2007 on Billboard's year-end chart. The B-side "In Private" is a new version of a song originally written for Dusty Springfield, this time recorded as a duet between Neil Tennant and Elton John and remixed by Stuart Crichton.

Background

"Minimal" was originally announced as the first single to precede the release of Fundamental. It was Parlophone's preferred lead single after the Pet Shop Boys' suggestion of "The Sodom and Gomorrah Show" was rejected. "I'm with Stupid" was ultimately chosen for the leadoff spot, with "Minimal" as the second single. The lyrics, built around a chant of "M-I-N-I-M-A-L", are an abstract description of expressions of minimalism, such as "more is less" and "an empty box, an open space". This is contradicted by the upbeat, busy instrumentation and production.

Music video

The music video for "Minimal" was directed by Don Cameron and filmed in Paris. It features a pair of dancers (Keir and Thailai Knight) manoeuvering to form the letters of the chorus, while Tennant and Lowe perform in front of a light display.

Track listings

Additional remixes

The maxi-CD of "Minimal" featured the U-MYX software which allowed people to create their own remixes. On 25 July, Chris Lowe created a new version of the track titled "Chris Lowe Summer Mix" using the software and uploaded it onto the U-MYX website. A remix of "Minimal" by Lobe is on the limited edition bonus CD of Fundamental, Fundamentalism. A remix by Radio Slave appeared on the B-side of a promotional 12-inch with two remixes of "Psychological" on the A-side by Ewan Pearson. These were part of the "Numb" promotion.

Charts