Pet Shop Boys, Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe’s iconic duo, have been crafting slick, futurist synth-pop since forming in 1981.
The influential pair have bagged 3 Brit Awards, 6 Grammy nominations and an impressive 42 top 30 singles over the course of an illustrious career spanning 4 decades.
As they play a string of sold-out gigs at the Royal Opera House this week, here’s our rundown of their 10 greatest songs. It’s a sin to get the order wrong, so we’ll try our best...
Domino Dancing
In this synth-driven, Latin influenced dance track, the instability of a tenuous relationship is explored through the metaphor of dominos lined up and ready to tumble. The lead single from their third album Retrospective, Domino Dancing is infectiously melodic. It performed well in the charts, too, reaching number seven in 1988.
Home and Dry
Ironically, this is far from dry; its warm hums of synth bring a gentle energy that’s met with calm, reassuring lyrics: “You know I'll be here, when you call tonight”. Home and Dry is said to have been inspired by Fleetwood Mac, and was released in 2002, reaching number 14 in the UK singles chart.
So Hard
Powered by futuristic laser-beam synths and a big cavernous hook, So Hard delves into the conflicted psyches of a couple who are both being unfaithful, and calling each others’ cheating bluff. Despite its upbeat melody, the lyrics are charged with a dark humour: “We've both given up smoking 'cause it's fatal, so whose matches are those?”
Opportunities (Let's Make Lots of Money)
On the surface, this is a feel-good anthem to capitalism; the sort you can imagine a slightly evil banker type blasting out without a shred of irony. Dig deeper, though, and it’s all so deliberately shallow: “Make me lots of money” and “Do you want to be rich?” recur as slogans. High-powered, it ramps up the momentum to a pounding crescendo. Originally released in 1985, it was the re-recorded version, released the following year, that went to number 11 on the UK singles charts.
Rent
This song, recently featured in Saltburn, conveys a very one-sided relationship. In the film, Oliver feeds off Felix’s privilege, and the chorus ”I love you, you pay my rent” reflects the imbalance of their dynamic. A standout from their album Actually, it peaked at number eight in the charts. When asked about the song, Pet Shop Boys’ Neil Tennant said he imagined Rent was “about a kept woman”, and “imagined it set in America”. Anyone listening to Rent expecting a song about the state of the London property market will be severely disappointed (or relieved for a bit of respite).
Go West
This Village People classic gets a makeover in typical Pet Shop Boys’ fashion, with a sense of vibrancy and impressive production powering things along. It was released in 1993 and peaked at number two in the UK charts, however, fans all around the world are still waiting for the sequels. Go North? Go East? Not to mention Go South! Come on, Pet Shop Boys, give the people what they want.
What Have I Done to Deserve This?
The real question: what did we do to deserve such a great song? This parping collaboration with soul singer Dusty Springfield is a stone-cold classic drawing on some good old fashioned nostalgia with its old-timey harmonies, and Springfield’s rich vocal – but twinkling, space-aged synths transport it light years into the future. This also peaked at number two in the UK charts – an achievement they unquestionably deserved.
Always On My Mind
A complete reinvention of an Elvis classic, this is one of those rare covers that transcends the original and becomes its own powerful entity. While Elvis’s version seems like it’s yearning from a place of longing, Pet Shop Boys are far more direct, heightening the sense of urgency in a new version that’s both fast paced and purposeful.
West End Girls
For many listeners 1984’s West End Girls, Pet Shop Boys’ debut single, remains the best of them all. Paranoia runs riot as its troubled protagonist heads out into the dark on the run, kicking over restaurant tables and fleeing to shadowy dive bars. Reaching number one in the charts, it catapulted Pet Shop Boys into the public consciousness.
It’s a Sin
First place, though, must be reserved for It’s A Sin – a classic synth-pop tune that explores the immense weight of shame. “Everything I long to do, no matter when, or where, or who, has one thing in common too – it's a sin”. Tennant was heavily inspired by his memories of attending Catholic school, and though he intended for it to be a light, “camp” moment, the track’s gay subtext has made it a lasting classic.
And, if we’re judging the song by its longevity, its success is remarkable. Channel 4 named their acclaimed, 2021 series It’s A Sin after the song: the show is about gay men living in London during the HIV/AIDS crisis. A cover of the song by Elton John and Olly Alexander (who also starred in the show as Ritchie) was released to coincide with the drama’s release.
