Shame was scheduled for release as a single whilst OMD were still on tour. In fact, the band had suggested Stay as a possible single from The Pacfic Age album, but Virgin thought Shame had more potential.

The band relented although they felt the album version was a bit slow and recruited producer Rhett Davies to give the song more of a polish.

Rhett Davies had previously worked with OMD on the Dazzle Ships album.