How Pet Shop Boys Rose from the Ashes in the 80s | Pop Fix | Professor of Rock
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#PetShopBoys #80s #Pop
One of the attributes that separates Pet Shop Boys from other acts, especially those in the pop genre, is their unique ability to weave social commentary & political satire in their songs. The music of Pet Shop Boys has consistently illustrated moments in culture. Listening to Pet Shop Boys is a good time escapade with a twist. While you’re having a blast grooving to the beat, you’re counter-intuitively singing out loud to thought-provoking lyrics.."Pet Shop Boys built a reputation for being a bit “anti-rock and roll”. They wanted to avoid stereotypes, and never travel down the typical paths for rock stardom. iI always loved the line from can You Forgive her where Neil sings: She's made you some kind of laughing stock Because you dance to disco, and you don't like rockNeil Tennant has that distinctive ‘dead pan’ voice that has a story-telling delivery to his vocal style with a brilliant hint of sarcasm. Chris Lowe is the silent sidekick- the Teller to Neil Tennant’s Penn, if you will. They are a duo for the ages with classics like West End Girls, What Have I Done to Deserve to This and It’s A Sin. We look at their impact in the 80s. Although Pet Shop Boys have released music in the first two decades of the 2000s, For today’s Feature Im going to focus one a Pet Shop Boys FIVER from their music released in the 80s: Way too tough to narrow it I mean I could easily do a b side and album track b side that could compete with any of these that’s how incredibly perfect PSB is.
#5- “I’ve got the brains, you’ve got the looks- let’s make lots of money.” “Opportunities”- a song that Neil Tennant describes as being about “two losers”- one who is intelligent & educated, and the other who has good looks and brawn. “Opportunities” is a prime example of the clever socio-polticial lyricism of Pet Shop Boys, with an underlying theme about Thatcherism, and the general over-indulgence of the 80s, over an unbelievably catchy synth pop melody that made it a club play sensation in ’86- reaching #3 on the Billboard Dance Club chart.
#4- “It’s Alright”- One of the rare PSB songs not penned by Neil Tennant, “It’s Alight is an overtly political song that mentions “dictation enforced in Afghanistan”, “revolution in South Africa, and “people in Eurasia on the brink of oppression” all in the first verse. I love the lyric “But there’s one thing for sure, music is our life’s foundation, and shall succeed all the nations to come.”
#3- The lead single from the 2nd PSB album Actually ...“It’s a Sin”. Neil Tennant said he wrote “It’s a Sin” in about 15 minutes, and although he intended it to be campy, the song’s lyrics about criticizing the strictness of Catholicism was taken serious by some religious leaders in Neil’s native England. A priest at a parish in Newcastle, England, actually delivered a sermon about the song on how the Catholic Church “changed from a promise of ghastly hell for those who sin” to a message of love. “It’s a Sin” was another monster hit for PSB- striking #1 throughout most of Europe, including the UK, and went to #9 on the Billboard Hot 100.
#2- “What Have I Done to Deserve This”- the 2nd single off Actually from 87. The song features retro brilliance with vocals by 60s pop star Dusty Springfield. So apparently Columbia Records execs did not want PSB to record with Dusty, suggesting Tina Turner, or Barbara Streisand, but Neil & Chris wanted Dusty’s husky, breathy voice for the chorus. Another thing i’ve always loved about the duo, they have always worked with an eye single to their end result and artistic vision. Uncompromising and committed.
#1- “West End Girls”- #1 smash in the UK, Canada, Finland, Norway, New Zealand, and the Billboard Hot 100. “West End Girls” is a song written about the pressures of inner-city life, partially inspired by T.S. Eliot’s poem The Waste Land. Musically, Grandmaster Flash’s “The Message” was a primary motivator for the song’s catchy bass riff.
Leave us a comment about Pet Shop Boys below. What is your PSB fiver. You can hear all the songs we’ve covered below in the curated playlist. To Celebrate the Pet Shop Boys brilliant music the right way, get their latest music vinyl, CD, their merch books on the band etc go click on our recommended amazon links in the description. If you like this content, there’s plenty more about this band coming. Subscfibre to our channel and support us on patreon, Help us keep the music alive, until next time, three chords and the truth. - เพลง
I met Neil Tennant at a record company just as he was forming the Pet Shop Boys. We were both music journos on rival magazines in London at the time. He told me he was forming a band and what it was going to be called. I must admit, I thought “What kind of name is that!” Next time I heard it, West End Girls was racing up the British charts. 😄 40 years later, the band is still going strong. Neil, you were right and I was wrong.🤐 👏🏼
Pet Shop Boys are the greatest duo ever in british music history! They are one of the most important bands and acts in music history!
The greatest British duo AFTER.....Tears For Fears.
“Being boring” is my favorite song from PSB. It’s hauntingly beautiful.
Very true. :)
Absolutely my favorite! ❤
Me too
And mine! 😁
It is every Pet Head the most favourite song😎😎😎
I always liked "What Have I Done To Deserve This" such a classic and so catchy too
Kudos to them for including Dusty Springfield in that song too!
Dusty
The artsy music video
Still remember the first time I heard "West End Girls" as if it was just last week. Sitting at the kitchen table in my parents house in late '85, I was eating lunch and had the radio on a local station that was playing a "new music lunch hour." From the opening percussion, kick beats, synth pads, and street sounds, I was instantly intrigued. And then the beats and bass kicked in. I turned and looked at the radio, which was on a small stand next to the table, and just stared at it as if this song was the answer to all my problems that day.
Just when I thought the music in the 80s couldn't get any better....wow.
1. West End Girls
2. Love Comes Quickly
3. Sin
4. Domino Dancing
5. Opportunities
"Left to my own devices" is pure pop brilliance. They sadly never released" Why dont we live together" from their album Please which could have been another number one or at least huge top ten hit in the US . B-sides like "Shamless", "In the night", or "do i have to" are brilliant.
Agreed!!!
Thomas F “LEFT To my own DEVICES” is PSB’s Bohemian Rapsody
"In the Night" absolutely! That bass line!
@Matthew Grant I meant it as a compliment!
I bet if it was left to their own devices, they probably would :)
My October Symphony is one of the best songs ever.
The Pet Shop Boys "West End Girls" is such a classic song!
Love Comes Quickly is another great song!
Easily one of the greatest songs of the 80s
My favorite too. ❤️ I remember this song while I was a little kid and it never gets old.
Never get tired never ever. Still in my playlist in 2020 since 1980’s
Dan Palmquist gosh love that one too!!!
Arguably the best techno-pop duo who have mastered the art of making melancholy so melodious. BEING BORING is my go-to *Pet Shop Boys* song.
Being Boring will probably always be my favourite Pet Shop Boys song, although it's 90's and not 80's. However if I had to choose one 80's song it would probably be 'It Couldn't Happen Here' or 'Kings Cross' from Actually. I think they're both massively underrated and it's just incredibly impressive how long they've lasted and how they just keep putting out incredible music. Even Hotspot has some brilliant tracks on it. Dreamland, Will o the wisp and Only the dark are all great listens.
Mario Venditti totally agree. Both great tracks. One of my favourites are off the album ‘Very’ and is ‘Yesterday When I was Mad’
@@Mind-your-own-beeswax 'Yesterday When I Was Mad' was one of my favourites growing up as a kid, I remember really liking 'Young Offender' too but I love that entire album.
Behaviour has a whole different vibe from every previous album, or subsequent album for that matter. The whole feel is autumnal and melancholy but it never lapses into maudlin. It remains my favourite 30+ years later.
My god, 30 years🤔😭
Behaviour is my favourite cd ever by anyone ; absolutely amazing; they just keep bringing out great music
We have very similar tastes. As great as the hits are, I never fail to stop whatever I'm doing and just listen whenever King's Cross comes on my random list. B.B. is an easy Top5 for me as well.
They are geniuses and my favorite music group. I’ve met Neil twice and Chris once. Very gracious people. Of their many albums, I think Very from 1993 is their best, cover to cover. But so many great songs and still going strong. Crossing my fingers that the PSB+NO (Unity tour) can happen in the U.S. next year!
Very is a true classic!
Their quarantine remix of West End Girls is fabulous. They gave it a nice modern sheen!
'Love comes quickly'....great pet shop boys song..
My all time guilty pleasure. To this day, Pet Shop Boys sounds fresh and relevant.
second that. because the melodies so good whenever I play them I feel like I'm doing sinful deeds by keeping them to myself hehe
"RENT" is one of the 10 greatest songs ever written.
No one mentions my number one PSB song, King’s Cross, I remember going to London after the fire and visiting the burned station, a deep moment. My top five are:
1. King’s Cross
2. Love comes quickly
3. My October symphony
4. I don’t know what you want but I can’t give it anymore
5. London
Cheers to all fans! So many great songs that it is hard to choose the most liked!
Totally agree.its like the Beatles yesterday.both songs I'd have at my funeral.But I won't!There so good I don't want them to be remembered for my funeral.I will be playing agadoo.and shut uper ya face.
The verion of "Love Comes Quickly" from the "Disco" album, how they build that song from scratch makes you really experience how many layers there are to that composition, something you hardly can make out from the single version. Huge favorite of mine.
They couldn't dance. They were really comic, funny, sarcastic. Great work!
Yep, Rent and King’s Cross are masterpieces. I mean if you just listen to the lyrics of King’s Cross, it’s just unreal how good is the third verse, and it’s the third verse of the song, not the first!
"TONIGHT IS FOREVER! Tell me now, you don't disagree."
"Being Boring" is my favorite PSB song of all time. It's a haunting & melancholy review of lost youth & growing older, alone with the memories of friends who are no longer in our lives.
Pet Shop Boys is my all-time favourite band. These two gentlemen are so immensely talented, and they have way too many great songs - I just cannot pick five. Being boring is my favourite song and Behaviour is my fav album. Neil and Chris make my life happier, and I can find songs that fit my actual mood. Their lyrics are just stunning, so multi-layered and thought-provoking, and their melodies are just awesome. I will always be grateful for them, they will always be a huge part of my life.
Their song 'So Hard' is so haunting...! They paved way for the electronic music.
One of the great 80s bands still making great music.
4:13 "You can't peg 'em. Their undaunted approach to pop music is high class camp drenched in a mysterious ambiance of synthpop magic." So well said. I can tell you think about what you create on TH-cam and *write it* first BEFORE you create a video. You are a writer and journalist with a musical heart and it shows in the content you create, especially in that line. I give this video a thumbs up just for that section alone. Great video.
"I've got the brains, you've got the looks. Let's make lots of money."
A parody of 80s materialism that has been taken seriously by a million sales seminars ever since.
The best 80s song hands down
Love to listen to that at full volume, especially the intro.
It's Alright remixes are huge!
Fast forward to 2020:
"I got the idea, you've got the tech. Let's get lots of investors"
Always on my mind, though not originally by them, got a whole new life with PSB's version.
Willie Nelson in dance music/pop form was something nobody knew they needed until they actually heard it. They did such a good job with it.
It really did. Stellar version.
Incredible Cover
I started a joke, too!love it!
My life changed thanks to the Pet Shop Boys.
- West End girls
- Liberation
- Left to my own devices
- Rent
-Heart
Opportunities
I was hoping someone else would post up Rent and Heart, two of my favourite Pet Shop Boys tunes. Brilliance!
Great episode. You cannot go wrong with any PSB song. Even their later records are so good.
I was also 9 years old when "West End Girls" came out and have been a Pet Shop Boys fan ever since. I think Alternative Dance goes back to these guys.
Remembering seeing that video on TOTP in 1986
was one of the first memories of life I ever had at the age of just six.
In the documentary ‘synth brittania’ Neil Tennant says he always thought they were the last of the thing that started with the Human League and the first of the thing that started with dance (in pop music). So you are pretty much spot on 👍
Actually, the beggining seeds were sewn in the Kraftwerk era, when they changed their music from experimental late 60s 'Kraut rock' to innovative 'Electronic musik' in the mid seventies. Also notable in pioneering alternative dance from the mid-late 70s to early 80s: Yellow Magic Orchestra (sorta), New World Order, Human League.
I have to thank Pet Shop Boys along with Richard Blade, for saving me from a tortuous future of aimless classic rock consumption. I was born in '55, so most of my "peers" were rockers. But even though I was (and still am) a Rocker, I am a synth player and this new panorama of sound totally blew me away. Along with New Order and also with Mr Blade as a fantastic representative of this brave new music, they Pushed me into a Future with not much looking back. "I wouldn't normally do this kind of thing". 😎
West End Girls - 18 years old, going to the clubs, dancing to all hours of the morning. A period in my life that I’ll always look back on fondly. 💜
Introspective is one of my favourite albums. The whole thing just resets me whatever I’ve has done.
"Being Boring" still takes my breath away every time I hear it. For me it is transcendental, I go back to exactly that place in time, where I was, the first time I heard it.
Thanks for featuring these guys!! Trevor Horn did some amazing work with them, and a feature on his work in the 80s would be a hell of an episode ❤️❤️
"Do I have to?" and "I Get Excited" are top notch b-side tracks.
I still remember seeing the video for West End Girls when it released on MTV. The 8 year old version of me was mesmerized by the coolest thing I've ever seen and heard. To this day when I hear the song time seems to stop for me.
Thank you for a serious analysis of this outstanding band. I've been a fan since their first song in 1986 when I was 19 and continue to be one. Their songs helped me in all life situations, gave me strength and made my soul sing.
Their masterpieces will stay with human race forever. Wish them health and peace of mind. With my love and gratitude to Neil and Chris Tanya Styles 💝💝
One of my all time favorite groups, Pet Shop Boys are still cranking out awesome music. Hotspot, their most recent album, is also really good, with awesome tracks such as Will o' the Wisp, Monkey business, and Burning the Heather to name a few.
Man, cannot believe you didn't mention 'Left to my own devices'. Such a sophisticated song! It is like their Bohemian Rhapsody! 😕
SO right! what an epic masterpiece! it really is their Bo Rhap, thats a a great analogy
I love the chord changes in the chorus
One of the best intros ever.
Haaaa..go see the doctor..you need help.
@@thebelievers9292 get a life
West End Girls = My junior year of college & the magical times Pat Sims & I were lucky enough to have together. When that song comes on I’m instantly transported back. I posted a link to it on fb a few years ago & he instantly chimed in that this will always be our song. I don’t remember why we broke up, he doesn’t either, but it was mutual & there were never any hard feelings. We will always have a special bond & the Pet Shop Boys are a part of that. I love you forever Pat, if you happen to see this. 💖
My all time favorite group. Thank you for giving them the spotlight.
Favorites:
1) West End Girls
2) Left To My Own Device’s
3) Being Boring
4) My October Symphony
5) Closer To Heaven
West End Girls is one of the greatest songs ever written.
Some of my top favorites from Pet Shop Boys other than the classics is, Love comes quickly, A new life, Numb, Leaving, Jealousy, Minimal, I don't know what you want but I can't give it anymore. Have to be amazed with Neil collaborating with Bernard for the band, Electronic. Amazing!
“Being Boring” should have been on this list. It’s just frustratingly brilliant and haunting.
My favorite 80s bands:
1. Pet Shop Boys
2. Duran Duran
3. Depeche Mode
4. Tears For Fears
5. The Police
6. Culture Club
7. Wham!
8. Spandau Ballet
My favorite Pet Shop Boys songs:
1. It's A Sin
2. West End Girls
3. Go West
4. Love Comes Quickly
5. New York City Boy
6. Suburbia
7. Domino Dancing
8. Opportunities
My favorite 80s songs:
1. a-ha: Take On Me
2. The Alan Parsons: Eye In The Sky
3. Peter Schilling: Major Tom
4. Cutting Crew: (I Just) Died In Your Arms
5. A Flock Of Seagulls: I Ran
6. Frankie Goes To Hollywood: Relax
7. Soft Cell: Tainted Love
8. New Order: Blue Monday
9. Eurythmics: Sweet Dreams
10. TOTO: Africa
11. Chris de Burgh: The Lady In Red
12. Berlin: Take My Breath Away
13. The Cars: Drive
14. Simple Red: Holding Back The Years
15. Scorpions: Still Loving You
16. Bryan Adams: Heaven
17. Nazareth: Where Are You Now
18. Foreigner: I Want To Know What Love Is
19. Whitesnake: Is This Love
20. Europe: The Final Countdown
21. Survivor: Eye Of The Tigger
22. Kenny Loggins: Danger Zone
23. INXS: Need You Tonight
24. Roxette: The Look
25. The Romantics: Talking In Your Sleep
26. The Cure: Lovesong
27. The Knack: My Sharona
28. Michael Sembello: Maniac
29. David Bowie: Let's Dance
30. Rick Astley: Never Gonna Give You Up
31. Kajagoogoo: Too Shy
32. Level 32: Lessons In Love
33. The Human League: Don't You Want Me
34. Erasure: A Little Respect
35. Kraftwerk: The Model
36. Falco: Der Kommissar
37. Steve Miller Band: Abracadabra
38. Daryl Hall & John Oates: Maneater
39. Men At Work: Overkill
40. Talk Talk: It's My Life
Edit: Sorry I can't include everything, the 80s had too much good stuff, you simply can't give it justice to it all.
I have a playlist on Spotify called "Trench Coats & Mullets" with over 10 hours of music, and even that list doesn't give it justice.
@ The 80s had too many great songs, it's hard to choose top ones. Broken Wings is great indeed, that's another one, some of those ballads are very powerful, so I definitely feel forced to include them too.
You have Air Supply in your top songs but no Pet Shop Boys? Weak! lol
@@stevezeller4699 Did you read Pet Shop Boys is my favorite 80s band? That top 8 is on a league of its own.
Van halen jump
Anders Eriksson I’m not a ballad fan either but never tear us apart has some of the greatest lyrics ever written imo
For me, the one thing that set Pet Shop Boys apart from most of the other synth pop groups at the time was the fact that their songs always had this throbbing bass line that you felt like a heartbeat. While other bands went full synth with digital drums that sounded like syncopated tin cans and wailing keyboards, PSP always grounded their music with a good beat driven by a deep bass line. It's one of the reasons why their music is timeless. West End Girls is a perfect example.
He missed the most successful remake of all time: "You are always on my mind".
My top 5 PSB songs
1. You are always on my mind (Introspective version)
2. Paninero (Introspective)
3. Opportunities (12 inch)
4. It's a sin
5. Misirabilism
its funny every time he sings it willie nelson thanks "those English lads" who's kept the song relevant over the years
Introspective version?? Do you mean always on my mind / in my house
@HALF MT prefer the original as in their original from Christmas 87 but is a class remix
Their music still sounds modern even today... Thats whats makes them special...
Pet Shop Boys are by far my favorite band by many miles. I got to meet them in Las V. on their 2013 tour. They are very down to earth and thankful to their fans. Looking forward to seeing them with new order next year. I am sure in the pre life I must have requested to be a live when the Pet Shop Boys are live and well. Ok so here are my top five.
1. I'm Not Scared
2.West End Girls
3. Tonight is Forever
4. It's a Sin
5. Hit Music or It Couldn't Happen here.
Special Shout out to Getting Away With It.
I’m not scared is amazing.
Love Comes Quickly was my favourite!
Thanks for a great adoration of the finest songwriters of our time. I liked their music in the 80's but I've been a fanatic since I first heard the opening strains of Being Boring in 1990, October, standing in my room in the afternoon, just arrived in Los Angeles and I could feel the gates opening on the future. I've been with them ever since. When I saw them perform live for the first time in 99, the Nightlife tour, I was convinced that they are Druid priests with a disco beat. What do you think of Hotspot? Their output over the last year has been immensely satisfying, from Agenda to Hotspot to Beautiful Laundrette and ALL of the b-sides. You obviously a man with the finest of musical tastes.
A Red Letter Day is an amazing track.
But for all of those who don't fit in
Who follow their instincts
And are told they sin
This is a prayer for
A different way. (gets me every time)
Opportunities is an amazing song. As good as West End Girls, which I still hear endlessly in the radio. It deserves greater exposure.
West End Girls failed to chart when first released in the UK but perseverance by the record label paid off as it climbed the chart at Christmas 1985 against strong competition from a number of artists, such as Madonna ( Dress You Up), Wham ( Last Christmas) and Band Aid ( released again after being Number 1 in 1984) and Shakin Stevens Merry Christmas Everybody ( probably only a hit in the UK). 1985 was a great year for music period.
A band who did not dance and stood in front of keyboards/ computer consoles yet whose songs were danceable seemed incongruous and counterintuitive at the time. Not smiling ( except ironically every now and then) said the only game they were playing was on their own terms. 'West End Girls' was the start of a purple patch of singles that singled out PSB as a unique talent- 'Rent', 'Domino Dancing', 'Suburbia', 'What Have I Done to Deserve This?' and many more.
Resurrecting Dusty Springfield's career was a stroke of genius and their collaboration with Liza Minelli on Losing My Mind is one of the most stunning moments of the eighties. The videos also underlined the artistry of PSB, mastering the medium in the second half of the decade.
They came onto the scene when I was in high school so they were a huge influence on my musical tastes. What has frustrated me for years is that most of the listening public have no idea what followed West End Girls. They have put out an album every 1 to 2 years ever since. They never went away. They evolved - continue to evolve. In doing so they have built a mountain of masterpieces. It should also be mentioned they have had a critical role in shaping modern gay culture and quietly supporting the rights of people who are gay. Sexuality and romance are deeply woven in their work.
Love Comes Quickly is easily one of my favorite songs, ever.
Never a musical artist has come before or after PSB that has had so many crafty B Side GEMS. I miss the days of buying the singles 12"/45s and finding a cool song on the flip side! Too many to list but 'KING OF ROME' and 'LEAVING' are amazing! PSB has made melancholy so cool...and so right in my life
PSB one of the greatest synth bands, it's amazing how they continue to be active in the music business.
A lot of great songs, "To Face the Truth" is my recommendation to all the music junkies, besides the best known hits.
Thank you PoR for your selected picks that keep the music alive to the future generations, great job! 👌
Behavior is a brilliant album.. so many great songs..
Pet shop boys are legends.although i love DM,U2,Duran duran,a-ha,tears for fears,but the Pet shop boys are my favourite by far.Their melodies their artistic aesthetic in general is another level.and what i also love about them is that they always let the music speak about them,no gossips,no drugs,no ridiculous tabloids.Only the power of their great songs and their aesthetic vision.They respect their audience so many years now and my favourite songs are:
Being boring
Left to my own devices
Domino dancing
Rent
It’s a sin
always on my mind
and west end girls
One of my favourite bands of all time. Glad you mentioned that part in Its Alright, when you hear the crowd cheering. It always sends a shiver down my spine. Love it. Top 5 from the 80’s.
5. Shopping
4. Suburbia
3. West End Girls
2. It's Alright
1. Love comes quickly
Favorite PSB song has always been 'Love Comes Quickly' - rarely can a song make you dance and cry at the same time. Another one I love that is rarely discussed is 'Saturday Night Forever'
Domino dancing changed my life.
I remember being 5 and hearing west end girls and loving it asking my mom to play it over and over again.
the PSB.. best duo of the 80s
love them
It's amazing that the PSB have been consistently releasing high quality songs for like 40 years. While I haven't been a fan of everything they've released recently, a lot of songs have that same quality as the stuff they released in the 80s. This isn't just my personal opinion: one of their most recent albums, Hotspot, charted #3 in the UK and some other European countries.
I am a lifelong PSB fan, and having seen many reports and summaries of his career, I have to say that this is one of the best.
You can see your passion and affection for music, which I share and you explained it brilliantly.
My PSB five (why it have to be only five): From the first albums.
1- Always on my Mind.
2- What that what it was? (PSB B sides are even better than LP songs)
3- Instrospective
4- Domino Dancing
5- it´s a Sin.
Every Pet Shop Boys album has a few jaw-dropping gems and most have a few "why did they record that song?" moments as well. Here are 5 personal faves among many, many wonderful album tracks: 5. New York City Boy (great dance tune and one of their strongest melodic hooks ever) 4.King's Cross (has a melancholic grandeur that gets me every time I hear it) 3. Luna Park (a huge sounding track with starkly dramatic lyrics and gorgeous chords) 2. "We All Feel Better in the Dark" must be heard on a good sound system, it is a complex and busy arrangement but SO darkly intriguing an d sexy! 1.Liberation (this track just sort of glows, it's quite beautiful and I still listen to it often) I am not as big a fan of their Stuart Price-produced albums but Elysium boasts the killer "Invisible" and "Hot Spot" includes the oddly sad/happy track "Happy People", the ending of which reminds me of what Massive Attack did at the end of "Unfinished Sympathy", and the lovely and wistful "Burning the Heather". Have you written PSB off just because they are not exactly boys anymore? Don't. They still got it goin' on!
Had I been able to list six, "Liberation" would most definitely have made the list.
Yes Liberation definitely needs a shout out. Such an awesome track
I was born in 1973, so when West End Girls hit Number 1, i was exactly the right age to fall in love with them. That other moment -: the exact moment, “Always On My Mind” took Christmas No.1 in 1987 I was probably the happiest I have ever been. Being a teenager, your emotions are sky-high I couldn’t stop giggling and fist pumping. YES!! WE WON! I know being 14 is a silly age, but I’ve never known such joy.
Saw them live in Cardiff, Wales when they toured the Nightlife album. Not so much a gig as an event. So many hits, a good album to promote, and some deep cuts to make me happy. And a stage show that was great! I could list my favourite PSB songs, but there are so many'
The whole Behaviour album is one of my all time favorites. Analog synths by Harold Faltermeyer, orchestra arranged by Angelo Badalamenti 💙👌
My favorite PSB songs:
5. West End Girls
4. Opportunities
3. It's A Sin
2. It's Alright
1. Love Comes Quickly
Pet Shop Boys are a brilliant group. I remember when they hit the radio. Wow....
I'm glad they 'stuck to their guns' to have Dusty Springfield singing. It made the song unique. The current guest singers they use now, which are awesome in their own right, just don't give the song justice.
I was 14 went PSB blew up the charts.
You ask which episode was a favorite? This one right here along with long list of others under this feature. Love the '80s.
Hope you feel better too. I have been battling the worse sinus infection of my life!
80s: "Rent" *
My top PSB songs:
1. Being Boring
2. Left to my own devices
3. Domino Dancing
4. Radiophonic
5. Face like that
These are actually some of the songs I associated with personal milestones. PSB have provided the soundtrack to my life and continue to do so.
My first concert was The Pet Shop Boys. Back in 1991 I seen them at a theater at the University of Utah. I was in 10th grade at the time. Good times.
1 All day all day, whatch them all fall down
2 My heart starts missing a beat...everytime
3 When I look back upon my life, it’s always with a sense of sharm
4 We never ever argue, we never calculate, the currency we’ve spent
5 So ask yourself can you even deliver, what she demands of you?
Thank you for this. Really happy I found your channel. PSB has been a favorite of mine for decades. Their concerts are always amazing, and they continue to produce beautiful music.
40th anniversary next year. All their studio albums are only one word titles.
Loved their first Disco remix album. They have just done, way too many singles that I've enjoyed listening to.
Miracles is one of the most beautiful songs they've written.
West End Girls is a weekly must for me!
I love everything about the Pet Shop Boys in the 80's.
What's very impressive is that between 1986 to mid 2009 each of their UK physical singles made the top 25. Inevitably, that level of success will run its course, but maintaining it as long as they managed is phenomenal. Also, being so highly prolific, each of their releases could potentially be a double album when you factor in all the B-sides, covers and outtakes produced during a recording session.
Professor of Rock you hit a home run on this one! I was hoping you were finally going to talk about them. PSB are one of all time favorite bands. I couldn't give you a top 5 they have such a vast catalogue of music (including awesome b-sides), I guess it all depends on my mood, but West End Girls is definitely #1
If West End Girls was the bait, Domino Dancing was the hook. Once that song came out, I became a huge PSB fan. I checked out the lesser know. Songs and B-sides and was blown away by all their Killer material
Would have loved to see a cut from Behavior on here, but I am just so happy to see a lovingly crafted video essay on my PSBs
My favorites are Love Comes Quickly, a b side to What have I done...called New Life, Paninera (? Sp), What have I done to deserve this, West End Girls.
Also wanted to note that even tho Chris was quiet, he could surely bust a move. He has impressive rhythm and amazing dance moves.
One of my most memorable moments in my entire life was when I first seen this video on MTV. I was intrigued by the music and the video so much it had opened up a whole new world for me that I know that one day when I grew up I wanted to live the nite life lol seriously though. I would wait for that video to come on whenever we had our rv time cuz growing up we were timed on how much tv we could watch and when so I always chose MTV. The best channel around back then. West end girls just has a special place in my heart. I LOVE that song so much.
A killer debut song West End Girls. Also helped in the rebirth of Dusty Springfield with Nothing Has Been Proved.
@Professor of Rock: I can't say enough good stuff about your channel. Your videos on artists that I grew up with in the '80's as a little kid, and love, are just phenomenal. I've always been a casual fan of Pet Shop Boys. A greatest hits album is as far as I went, but they got some great songs! The Pet Shop Boys did open the door for me and got me interested in other electro-pop bands such as: Eraser and Yazoo. From there I went further down the rabbit hole and got into bands such as: New Order, Depeche Mode, and The Eurythmics. I do owe The Pet Shop Boys a nod of recognition for helping me discover more synth heavy bands that I've listened to for over 3 decades. :-)
Miracles, Heart, Kings Cross, What Keeps Mankind Alive?, This Must Be The Place I Waited Years To Leave
Rent is my favourite...never get tired of listening to it
FYI: The 'Original' (Bobby O Bobcat label version) of WEG was first played in local NY area nightclubs (Specifically @Paris New York on LI) then on WLIR 92.7 back in 1984. Many don't realize that significant instance where a club DJ made the call to have then PD Denis MacNamara add it to the station's playlist which effectively broke the band here in the U.S. a full 2 years before top 40 radio caught on with the MTV aired version.
Smash hits used to have a regular feature "Black Type" that answered daft questions in the most sarcastic and biting way possible, A good amount of the time it was Neil Tennant sharpening his wit for some future career.
Smash Hits was superb. I used to read it slowly to savour every last segment or article.
"Ambassadors of sophistication"
Great summary of one of the greatest duos from the 80’ies! The legend says that Bono from U2 had one question when he had heard the PSB cover version of ‘Where the streets have no name’ and that was ‘What have I done to deserve this’? 😂
The first two albums are absolute classics especially songs like 2 divided by zero and Shopping. Always loved the video to west end girls which is a perfect snapshot of London in the mid 80s, very nostalgic
PLEASE do a 90's PSB film!!!! or a special just covering Behaviour album .
FIVE for me:
1. Miracle
2. The way it use to be
3. Integral
4. Dreaming of a queen
5. Heart
My PSB 5er: Liberation,In His Imagination,Did You See Me Coming?, Radiophonic,and The Samurai In Autumn. Just an incredible catalog of Music to choose from. You’ve done The Cars,the Pet Shop Boys, and now all you need to do is OMD to complete the trifecta of my 80’s favorites.
The first time I heard "West End Girls" I was blown away, till this day that song doesn't get old. "West End Girls" and "It's A Sin" are my Pet Shop Boys all time favorite songs.
Feel better soon Professor
I have been a fan of PSB since 1986. "Please" was the first album I ever purchased! My all time favorites in no distinct order. Picking a fabulous song out of PSB discography is like picking the best atoms in the Universe
1. Heart-A sound about true love. Brilliant video!
2. Always On My Mind-Only the PSB could take a Willie Nelson song and turn it into a top hit song!
3. I'm Not Scared
4. Monkey Business-Still putting out awesome music with killer videos!
5. Sodom and Gomorrah Show
Honorable mentions: Integral and Give Stupidity A Chance!
It'alright. One of my favorites. Never knew it was a cover. Very similar to the original, in fact, almost identical, especially the album version.
Thank you for featuring these guys. True artists. Favorite album : Behaviour