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.🤐 👏🏼
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!
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.
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.
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
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". 😎
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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 UA-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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
I hate that a year ago I gave this a thumbs up and now cannot do it again - I often watch The Professor of Rock's podcasts more that once 👍 but there is my second thumbs up
@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. :-)
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!
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.
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
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.
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...
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
My top five Pet Shop Boys songs: 1. Being Boring. 2. I Wouldn't Normally Do This Kind of Thing. 3. West End Girls. 4. Absolutely Fabulous. 5. Love Comes Quickly.
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.
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 💝💝
Thank you! The Pet Shop Boys were the soundtrack to my 80's. Great songs, huge beats and orchestral production. Their B sides were better than most band's premium output.
Your lucidity and understanding of their work blows my mind. Only one question, if you could save only One song from them to the future world, wich one you would choose. Its impossible, i know, but to me, the highes punch of monumental emotion comes from My october symphony, to me, that song is a jewel. Absolutamente bellisima.
What a great channel! Your content is GOLD! My top five (80's era) of these geniuses are: 1. West End Girls 2. What have I done to deserve this? 3. Opportunities 4. Domino Dancing 5. It's Alright (Introspective Album long version)
Pet shop boys are one of the rare, few classic acts in Pop music. They’re like the Cole Porter of our day. Crisp, effervescent, at times biting. But you can’t ignore them, and you’ll end up humming their songs forever.
For me, the track 'Your Funny Uncle' (Introspection, and I believe a B-side) is a favourite PSB track- a moving word picture to music about the funeral of a friend, and how the least expected member of the deceased's family rose to the occasion. It reminded me of the Betjeman poems set to music for the BBC in the 50s/60s... Tom Chaplin's cover of it is worth digging up on YT too.
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
"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.
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! 👌
Pet shop boys is one of my favorites ,is real intelligent lyrics into an amazing electronic music ,I love it .Very good job professor, you gave us the whole picture of theirs best sounds.Thx
I first heard West End Girl by watching the great 80s show Moonlighting. It had Bruce Willis walking thru a bar and the music that was playing was West End Girl. I remember it like yesterday. How time flies.😊
Love them, seen them twice live and they did NOT disappoint. What a show!I I have a weird favorite, Home And Dry from 2002. That song has always stayed with me. The other 4 from my 5'ver ..... this is tough..... Always On My Mind (best cover ever), Miracles, New York City Boy (I was a gay college kid at NYU when that came out, and I remember those days vividly), and (yes I'm cheating) a three-way tie between Domino Dancing, Thursday, and The Sodom And Gomorrah Show (Domino Dancing gets the winning vote.) ... Also, their cover of Coldplay's Viva La Vida is FANTASTIC (especially since Viva La Vida sounds just like Home And Dry already).
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.
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!!!
"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"
“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😎😎😎
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!
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.
'Love comes quickly'....great pet shop boys song..
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.
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
"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!
"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 :)
Their song 'So Hard' is so haunting...! They paved way for the electronic music.
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
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.
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. 💜
Great episode. You cannot go wrong with any PSB song. Even their later records are so good.
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 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
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". 😎
I Want A Dog, The Resurrectionist, Too Many People, Bright Young Things, Delusion Of Grandeur - all great songs and they're just B-sides.
Agreed. Do I Have To and After the Event are two other fantastic b-sides. They have so many!
@@gregrodriguez3169 delusions of grandeur is amazing
The double cd Alternative with only b-sides is still better than most other music.
@@bjhellstream So true. Also, "Your funny uncle"... damn. I think I got something in my eye ;_;
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
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
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.
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
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.
When you're young you find inspiration
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 UA-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.
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
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.
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.
Love Comes Quickly was my favourite!
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
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.
I love everything about the Pet Shop Boys in the 80's.
"TONIGHT IS FOREVER! Tell me now, you don't disagree."
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)
Miracles, Heart, Kings Cross, What Keeps Mankind Alive?, This Must Be The Place I Waited Years To Leave
"What have I done to deserve this?" possibly the catchiest PSB track ever. I've never got bored of it. Pure pop genius.
My top 5:
1 - I'm not scared (remake of 8th Wonder's song)
2 - Domino Dance
3 - Rent
4 - What Have I Done to Deserve This
5 - Left To My Own Devices
My Top 5:
#1 - Suburbia
#2 - Opportunities
#3 - West End Girls
#4 - What Have I Done To Deserve This
#5 - Heart
I listen to Introspective every couple weeks. "Always on my mind / in my house" makes me smile.
The whole Behaviour album is one of my all time favorites. Analog synths by Harold Faltermeyer, orchestra arranged by Angelo Badalamenti 💙👌
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.
A killer debut song West End Girls. Also helped in the rebirth of Dusty Springfield with Nothing Has Been Proved.
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.
I hate that a year ago I gave this a thumbs up and now cannot do it again - I often watch The Professor of Rock's podcasts more that once 👍 but there is my second thumbs up
West End Girls is a weekly must for me!
@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. :-)
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
Fantastic group my favourite
I found "please" on vinyl used last year. I keep going back to give it a spin. It's a great album .
West End Girls always takes me back to driving around Houston late at night in the rain, the summer of 86.
Favorite album: Behavior
Favorite cover: What Keeps Mankind Alive
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.
I love how the Actually album opens with the track One More Chance
- 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!
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
1. Rent 2. Absolutely Fabulous 3. Shameless 4.The Boy Who Couldn't Keep His Clothes On 5. Heart
West End Girls made me a lifelong addict of the Pet Shop Boys
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.
Dancing to the Pet Shop Boys’ music on 80s Germany’s dance floors was such blissful experience.
The 80s: _ Lived ‘em. Loved ‘em. Miss ‘em._
We were never being boring, we were never feeling bored!
PLEASE do a 90's PSB film!!!! or a special just covering Behaviour album .
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...
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
Enjoyed their cover of "Losing My Mind" with Liza Minelli!
The whole Results project is worth a listen.
My top five Pet Shop Boys songs:
1. Being Boring.
2. I Wouldn't Normally Do This Kind of Thing.
3. West End Girls.
4. Absolutely Fabulous.
5. Love Comes Quickly.
Their quarantine remix of West End Girls is fabulous. They gave it a nice modern sheen!
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
My October Symphony is one of the best songs ever.
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.
See in utube
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 💝💝
Like Queen, PSB can NOT be imitated in writing and production values, they are BOTH too unique ! Just at their careers !
Thank you! The Pet Shop Boys were the soundtrack to my 80's. Great songs, huge beats and orchestral production. Their B sides were better than most band's premium output.
Intellectual Pop Brilliance!!! My all time favorite band.. thank you for your awesome channel. Absolutely love your episode on Kate Bush
Their sound is so unique.
Your lucidity and understanding of their work blows my mind. Only one question, if you could save only One song from them to the future world, wich one you would choose. Its impossible, i know, but to me, the highes punch of monumental emotion comes from My october symphony, to me, that song is a jewel. Absolutamente bellisima.
What a great channel! Your content is GOLD!
My top five (80's era) of these geniuses are:
1. West End Girls
2. What have I done to deserve this?
3. Opportunities
4. Domino Dancing
5. It's Alright (Introspective Album long version)
West End Girls and Opportunity were anthems for my college days in the 80’s. Really great stuff!!!
Pet shop boys are one of the rare, few classic acts in Pop music. They’re like the Cole Porter of our day. Crisp, effervescent, at times biting. But you can’t ignore them, and you’ll end up humming their songs forever.
5 Love comes quickly
4 The last to die
3 Tonight is forever
2 Always on my mind
1 Left to my own devices (particularly the disco mix)
"Sweetest" music monsters...champions of so many song atributes...etc&etc...😊👍,
Love and like all their decades...⛱🎉🌞
I saw these guys in Vegas back in 2016. It was absolutely amazing
My life changed thanks to the Pet Shop Boys.
For me, the track 'Your Funny Uncle' (Introspection, and I believe a B-side) is a favourite PSB track- a moving word picture to music about the funeral of a friend, and how the least expected member of the deceased's family rose to the occasion. It reminded me of the Betjeman poems set to music for the BBC in the 50s/60s...
Tom Chaplin's cover of it is worth digging up on YT too.
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.
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
"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.
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 is one of my favorites ,is real intelligent lyrics into an amazing electronic music ,I love it .Very good job professor, you gave us the whole picture of theirs best sounds.Thx
My favorite PSB songs:
5. West End Girls
4. Opportunities
3. It's A Sin
2. It's Alright
1. Love Comes Quickly
5: Send me an angel
4: Domino dancing
3: It's a sin
2: What have I done to deserve this?
1: West end girls
FIVER
1 Being Boring
2 What Have I Done to Deserve This?
3 West End Girls
4 Can You Forgive Her?
5 Shameless
West End Girls and Love Comes Quickly are their two best tracks.
My favorites from them are What Have I Done to Deserve This, Being Boring, Liberation, West End Girls, and The Theatre.
I first heard West End Girl by watching the great 80s show Moonlighting. It had Bruce Willis walking thru a bar and the music that was playing was West End Girl. I remember it like yesterday. How time flies.😊
Love them, seen them twice live and they did NOT disappoint. What a show!I I have a weird favorite, Home And Dry from 2002. That song has always stayed with me. The other 4 from my 5'ver ..... this is tough..... Always On My Mind (best cover ever), Miracles, New York City Boy (I was a gay college kid at NYU when that came out, and I remember those days vividly), and (yes I'm cheating) a three-way tie between Domino Dancing, Thursday, and The Sodom And Gomorrah Show (Domino Dancing gets the winning vote.) ... Also, their cover of Coldplay's Viva La Vida is FANTASTIC (especially since Viva La Vida sounds just like Home And Dry already).