Last Chance (Christmas Mix) / Light Sleepers

Recording
“Last Chance” was first recorded for Cruelty Without Beauty studio album in 2001. It got fully reworked for 2022 single as ‘Christmas Mix’, getting new and arrangement by Dave Ball and producer Philip Larsen with full live brass section.

“Light Sleepers” was one of the songs recorded in 2020 for *Happiness Not Included studio album, which came out in May 2022. It ended up having a music video, published in November, and thus becoming the final single from this album.

Release
The single was announced on 12 November 2022, shortly after release of “Light Sleepers” music video. The single is limited to 1000 copies with postcards and was sold exclusively at Soft Cell affiliated web store. “Last Chance (Christmas Mix)” was released on streaming platforms in 18 November, and the physical release followed in 2 December.

Personnel

 * Written-By (lyrics), vocals – Marc Almond
 * Written-By (music) – David Ball, Jon Savage (2, 4)
 * Production – Soft Cell, Philip Larsen
 * Bass – Jack Birchwood (1, 3)
 * Woodwind – Gary Barnacle (2, 4)
 * Mastering – Barry Grint

Artwork
Front cover of single's sleeve features a photo of married couple kissing while sitting on a bench covered in snow, taken in New York City in 1947; the image is edited to be in muted shades of blue with addition of snowfall. On the back cover and disc itself a street lamp in the same shades. Bonus Christmas postcard shares the same design. Design is credited to James McWilliam, original concept by Chris Smith.

Trivia

 * The single was initially promoted with “Light Sleepers” as A-side and “Last Chance” as AA track, and having two artworks where “Light Sleepers” side had Los Angeles imagery with skyscrapers, palms and birds by early morning sky; design is credited to James McWilliam.
 * Eventually this artwork went to Light Sleepers / Last Chance vinyl single for Record Store Day 2023.