Neil told in an interview that he used to see in the circles of rich people how there were women whose only aspiration was to meet rich people and create a relationship with them. They only cared about living on the luxuries that they could afford. That is why the song, despite having a controversial lyric, the music reflects a nostalgia and sadness from the existential emptiness of the couple.
It’s about a relationship between a politician (or a public figure anyway) and a prostitute (probably a rent boy). “You took me to a restaurant to tell me who you are”. In other words he’s a famous person, so their relationship has to be secret. But it’s a sad song (“But look at my hopes, look at my dreams…” - they are not being given consideration. The prostitute goes along with it because their rent is paid, but also they’re secretly in love with the other person (“Words means so little and money less when you’re lying next to me..”)
i think is absolutely the right interpretation. a younger man (the puppet) in love with an older, wealthier man who pays out for his Adonis (but it's likely not love, just lust)
For me it's about a disfunctional relationship in which one of them is in love and care about the feelings but the other only shows his love in materialistic way.
Neil is an awesome singer and a fantastic lyricist. What he often does is a kind of role play - sometimes he writes from the perspective of a woman. He said in interviews that he initially wanted the lyrics not to be revealing - meaning that a song can be "translated" into man-woman, man-man or woman-woman relationships. PSB never wanted to be categorized/pigeonholed as a gay band. And many people aren't aware of the fact how many touching, sincere love songs they have in their vast catalog. Try Miracles from 2003, it's simply amazing.
They have made fantastic songs throughout their career and are still doing incredible songs today. My fav songs are twentieth century and i don't wanna amongst many other. You could try king's cross, one of the most beautiful ballad ever made.
I also choose to interpret it in the same way as you did. I don't think it's supposed to have a lot of hidden meaning, it's basically an ironic song about materialistic relationships (be it escorting, sugar daddy/mommy type situations, or one where one gives financially and the other takes)... packaged up in a brilliant pop song.
I still remember the day I went out and bought the album when it came out in 1987. Not the whole day though.... just the event :o).... The trip home in the bus reading every word on the album sleeve. Amazing times for music fans back then. Remains my second favourite band after Depeche).
@@SephPlays True. Most modern pop is rubbish compared to the old stuff, but now is also a great time to be a music fan. With all the technology we didn´t have back then, it´s so much easier to discover old stuff you weren´t aware of back in the day.
Seeing PSB for the very first time on Sept 30th with New Order! My fav PSB songs are Opportunities and Suburbia. West End Girls was their biggest hit though!
One of my fave bands. I highly recommend - Opportunities (Version 2 only), Suburbia, It's a Sin and West End Girls for you listening pleasure ! Enjoyment and satisfaction guaranteed !
I always took this as a relationship that was started cause the person getting the rent paid was beautiful and the other was rich, and the pretty one falls in love not for the money but the rich one is just having their play thing and not catching any feelings!
Fantastic duo. Please react to Opportunities, Love Comes Quickly, Two Divided By Zero and I Want A Dog. Awesome songs. You should watch their music videos. The video for this song tells a story.
The lead singer Nial Tennant declares this song as a "love song from the 80s". Rent as in rent boy. That's what the song is about. You should listen to the extended version since you loved the ending.
Interesting that in Russia there is the very similar 90s singer Maksim Pokrovsky, pretty popular there too but currently lives in US because of his political stance. With very similar voice and singing style, but he do only like classic "russian rock". Though, listening for Pet Shop Boys again I hear where he got ideas for some of his songs. He have a song "puppet", but with kinda more "abusing" meaning in lyrics.
This is one of my favourite songs by PSB but could not hear much of it due to all the talking which is way to loud you need to turn the mic down a bit.
If not my favourite PSB song, it's in the top five. Always loved the ironic sadness in it's lyrics. Someone said in another comment that this kind of relationships could also have a quote of love, I couldn't disagree more. Because of my work I met several couples in this position and it's very sad, I even cut a 20 years long friendship because I couldn't cope with it; so sad for both parts.
@@SephPlays yes, every time I play this song, even if he doesn't know what it's about (we live in Italy), he starts crying, like other English songs .... even some of the depeche mode, he cries even when he listens to wham "Where Did Your Heart Go? " ciao!!
The important part of this song is the "currency" - the hopes and dreams of the person "being taken care of". How easy is it to compromise your principles for free rent? And which way would you go?
I'm seeing by your reaction that you've never heard of the term 'Rent Boy' which is associated with younger gay men being looked after by more affluent older gay men. It was more around the 80's and 90's. The Rent Boy aspect is meant to be a bit shocking.
Neil told in an interview that he used to see in the circles of rich people how there were women whose only aspiration was to meet rich people and create a relationship with them. They only cared about living on the luxuries that they could afford. That is why the song, despite having a controversial lyric, the music reflects a nostalgia and sadness from the existential emptiness of the couple.
This is one of about 500 brilliant pet shop boys songs 40 plus years of brilliance.
From their best album, brilliant song.
I love to see someone so enthusiastic over the PSB's music. Only wish my mates were.
It’s about a relationship between a politician (or a public figure anyway) and a prostitute (probably a rent boy). “You took me to a restaurant to tell me who you are”. In other words he’s a famous person, so their relationship has to be secret. But it’s a sad song (“But look at my hopes, look at my dreams…” - they are not being given consideration. The prostitute goes along with it because their rent is paid, but also they’re secretly in love with the other person (“Words means so little and money less when you’re lying next to me..”)
i think is absolutely the right interpretation. a younger man (the puppet) in love with an older, wealthier man who pays out for his Adonis (but it's likely not love, just lust)
For me it's about a disfunctional relationship in which one of them is in love and care about the feelings but the other only shows his love in materialistic way.
the best song for PSB ever..
Neil is an awesome singer and a fantastic lyricist. What he often does is a kind of role play - sometimes he writes from the perspective of a woman. He said in interviews that he initially wanted the lyrics not to be revealing - meaning that a song can be "translated" into man-woman, man-man or woman-woman relationships. PSB never wanted to be categorized/pigeonholed as a gay band. And many people aren't aware of the fact how many touching, sincere love songs they have in their vast catalog. Try Miracles from 2003, it's simply amazing.
Incredible!! Really looking forward to jump further in to their catalog :D
PSB are so damn amazing. Even more when they remixed Rammstein 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻
They have made fantastic songs throughout their career and are still doing incredible songs today. My fav songs are twentieth century and i don't wanna amongst many other. You could try king's cross, one of the most beautiful ballad ever made.
I cant wait to jump into thrm haha
I also choose to interpret it in the same way as you did. I don't think it's supposed to have a lot of hidden meaning, it's basically an ironic song about materialistic relationships (be it escorting, sugar daddy/mommy type situations, or one where one gives financially and the other takes)... packaged up in a brilliant pop song.
and yet nobody says it couldn't be a loving relationship after all.
I still remember the day I went out and bought the album when it came out in 1987. Not the whole day though.... just the event :o).... The trip home in the bus reading every word on the album sleeve. Amazing times for music fans back then. Remains my second favourite band after Depeche).
I think you was born at the *Right* time. Where i was born to freakin late 😅
@@SephPlays True. Most modern pop is rubbish compared to the old stuff, but now is also a great time to be a music fan. With all the technology we didn´t have back then, it´s so much easier to discover old stuff you weren´t aware of back in the day.
Seeing PSB for the very first time on Sept 30th with New Order! My fav PSB songs are Opportunities and Suburbia. West End Girls was their biggest hit though!
You're very lucky over in the States. I love both groups, but I'm in the UK.
You will adore it obviously ❤Remember seeing them during the 90s in Birmingham arena... what a show !
@@coachtomas I once met Samantha Fox in Birmingham!
woht!! p.s.b. and new order together! would've fainted.
One of my fave bands. I highly recommend - Opportunities (Version 2 only), Suburbia, It's a Sin and West End Girls for you listening pleasure ! Enjoyment and satisfaction guaranteed !
Ill give them all a listen :D
I always took this as a relationship that was started cause the person getting the rent paid was beautiful and the other was rich, and the pretty one falls in love not for the money but the rich one is just having their play thing and not catching any feelings!
Fantastic duo. Please react to Opportunities, Love Comes Quickly, Two Divided By Zero and I Want A Dog. Awesome songs. You should watch their music videos. The video for this song tells a story.
Son los mejores,los conciertos espero y deseo que sigan muchos años MAS,DIOS QUIERA
Sarcastic song to let us think
I think this sums up this song pretty well haha
Neil has such amazing diction there's is not really any need for a lyric video.
I love your personality - thanks for being so entertaining.
Thank you Michael :D That means alot to me!
The lead singer Nial Tennant declares this song as a "love song from the 80s". Rent as in rent boy. That's what the song is about. You should listen to the extended version since you loved the ending.
Ohh thats a good idea actually! I'll check it out 😁
Also... A rented boy.. Damn never saw it that way until now 😅
Triste plutôt que drôle. Chef-d’œuvre absolu.
Interesting that in Russia there is the very similar 90s singer Maksim Pokrovsky, pretty popular there too but currently lives in US because of his political stance. With very similar voice and singing style, but he do only like classic "russian rock". Though, listening for Pet Shop Boys again I hear where he got ideas for some of his songs.
He have a song "puppet", but with kinda more "abusing" meaning in lyrics.
The "It's so easy" line is in reference to the Argos slogan the company was using at that time m.ua-cam.com/video/Hhw-xPKCz6g/v-deo.html
GOODNESS if the video had been available, i LOVED it and fit the song perfectly.
This is one of my favourite songs by PSB but could not hear much of it due to all the talking which is way to loud you need to turn the mic down a bit.
Most of the PSB songs are sung by Neil Tennent. Virtually the only one sung by Chris Lowe is "Paninaro". You should check that one out.
Ahh i was wondering!!! Thank you Ryan!!! 😁
Now you know how well English music was before you were born.
I grew up in the wrong decade lol
👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Actually
❤
Hermosa canción !!! ❤️
Neil Tennant said "it's about a kept person"
If not my favourite PSB song, it's in the top five. Always loved the ironic sadness in it's lyrics. Someone said in another comment that this kind of relationships could also have a quote of love, I couldn't disagree more. Because of my work I met several couples in this position and it's very sad, I even cut a 20 years long friendship because I couldn't cope with it; so sad for both parts.
my mother crying when i play this song....and lyrics don't knowledge ....
Wait. Your mother cried because of this song?
@@SephPlays yes, every time I play this song, even if he doesn't know what it's about (we live in Italy), he starts crying, like other English songs .... even some of the depeche mode, he cries even when he listens to wham "Where Did Your Heart Go? " ciao!!
Might have to give that a listen in the future haha
Sugar daddy's song 😂
Rent 1987 preciosa.....
If you haven't already--try "Love Etc" by Pet Shop Boys.
The important part of this song is the "currency" - the hopes and dreams of the person "being taken care of". How easy is it to compromise your principles for free rent? And which way would you go?
Rent $, i love you long time. >_>
Its how i always heard it. I got in trouble for sharing my theory as a kid, lol.
Don't know if I've got the correct interpretation or not but it always struck as being about an escort and their client...
I think this could easily be interpreted like that 🤣
Its a song about a Gigilo I think.
You look shocked. This is real life
Not heard of rent boys in bed sit land
You’re not misreading it. It’s about someone rich wanting someone young and hot so they pay for everything to keep him there and coming back lol.
I'm seeing by your reaction that you've never heard of the term 'Rent Boy' which is associated with younger gay men being looked after by more affluent older gay men. It was more around the 80's and 90's. The Rent Boy aspect is meant to be a bit shocking.
toy boy