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.🤐 👏🏼
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.
@@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🤔😭
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.
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.
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!
"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.
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
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!
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.
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 RU-vid 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.
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.
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.
"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.
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
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.
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". 😎
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!
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
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.
"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.
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 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 💝💝
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.
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 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.
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!
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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! 👌
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.
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!
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
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
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.
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.
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 Pet Shop Boys 5er: 5: Domino Dancing 4: Opportunities (Let's Make Lots Of Money) 3: What Have I Done To Deserve This? 2: West End Girls 1: It's A Sin
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
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.
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'
@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. :-)
PSB 5er! Before I list my FIVER I want to wish you good health! Ok, so since you covered the best 5 of the eighties I will give my best 5 from the nineties. 5. Dreaming of the Queen (Very) 4. Jealousy (Behaviour) 3. You Only Tell Me You Love Me When You're Drunk (Nightlife) 2. Where The Streets Have No Name (Discography) 1. Being Boring (Behaviour) As you said making these choices are hard but I based them on personal impact and how often I play them. Again, get well my friend and keep up the good work!
Hats off to you, Professor of Rock! As a lifelong PSB fan, I have to say this is one of the best overviews of their career and talent ever-- all condensed into fifteen minutes.Your deep knowledge shines through with factoids like the omitted lyric from West End Girls shows where you're coming from. Your take on 'It's Alright' was poetic, as well. Should have been a US hit but they got no domestic single release here. As for my fiver: 1. Always On My Mind 2. Suburbia 3. Being Boring 4. Jealousy 5. Paninaro
I've almost had to slap people when they badmouth Pet Shop Boys. No one has ever come as close to putting lyrics as good as theirs on top of dance beats like that . If you haven't seen their movie, It Couldn't Happen Here, it's worth a look. Very art house and weird, but very interesting. I believe you can watch it in full here on youtube. Please, Actually, Behavior, Introspective, and Very were all brilliant albums to me.
Great recommendation, Paul. It Couldn't Happen Here just got a remastered re-release on BFI. It's only on UK-region code Blu-Ray and DVD, but I'm going to shell out for a region-free player so I can finally retire my Japanese NTSC VHS copy.
Great thing about pet shop boys is their singles were just as great as the albums. The singles would have 4 to 5 different versions of the songs. Absolutely top notch musical artist
I agree in your top 5 choices, but it's hard to pick just 5 songs from PSB. They've produced so many great, clever songs, some songs that sticks to your brain and some that never leave :-) I will add 5 more to the list in random order, all from the 80s: Left to my own devices, Suburbia, One more chance, Kings Cross and Tonight is forever...
The Way It Used To Be is the greatest single that never was. Their catalogue of music is arguably unrivalled in quantity or quality. Been waiting for this one.....thank you.
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!
FINALLY , someone that understands the Greatness of PSB. I have been a Pethead since 1986 !!! My top 5 do NOT include West End Girls.... Being Boring, Love Comes Quickly, It's Alright, This Used to be the Future w guest vocal Phil Oakey from Human League and Violence Haceinda Version, there are so so many PSB songs but these are just my 5 ! If I over think it , I will lose my mind !
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.
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.
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'
PSB Forever! My most important act. 1. Being Boring 2. Love Comes Quickly 3. Left To My Own Devices 4. Young Offender 5. I'm Not Scared After 34 years that was actually great to finally get done. Thank you!
If you only remember PSB from the 80s... Search for "PSB Agenda" Also "PSB Integral" is an awesome track. And most everything off of Flamboyant, and and and... PS: Probably my favorite pump-up track is "I wouldn't normally do this kind of thing". Give it a listen if you've never heard.
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.
