They're basically doing a gay version of Randy Newman's "Sail Away."
― Lazy Lay (Eazy), Wednesday, 6 July 2011 14:56 (twelve years ago) link
(And I can't stand synth-horns, but "Go West" and Jane Wiedlin's Fur get around that.)
― Lazy Lay (Eazy), Wednesday, 6 July 2011 15:05 (twelve years ago) link
Hear a songThat's the bombIf you don't get the mixIt's gone eighty-six
These lines in NYCBoy make me cringe a bit, like Neal is reaching for, but not grasping, some sort of "authentic youth culture."
I prefer "Go West," but regardless of preference they're very different songs. NYCB is a coming of age song, it celebrates individual freedom. GW is about solidarity, community, a collective freedom.
― Megadeth Monk (Paul in Santa Cruz), Wednesday, 6 July 2011 17:30 (twelve years ago) link
You know what other song I missed that I wish some of you mentioned? "Was It Worth It." It gets better with each listen.
― The Edge of Gloryhole (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 6 July 2011 17:32 (twelve years ago) link
Didn't they leave that off PopArt because it was their first single not to make the Top 20? Amazingly, only two subsequent singles (Numb and Did You See Me Coming?) have missed the Top 20 and both did better than Was It Worth It?
― Strictly vote-splitting (DL), Wednesday, 6 July 2011 17:37 (twelve years ago) link
Recap 50-18.
18 Go West Very 223 10 119 Home and Dry Release 216 10 020 Se A Vida E (That's The Way Life Is) Bilingual 215 9 121 Suburbia Please 205 9 022 I'm Not Scared B-side 195 8 023 Domino Dancing Introspective 195 10 024 Young Offender Very 194 7 125 I Wouldn't Normally Do This Kind of Thing Very 189 9 126 I Want A Dog Introspective 169 7 027 I Want To Wake Up Actually 162 6 128 Flamboyant Standalone 161 7 129 Jealousy Behaviour 158 9 030 In The Night B-side 157 7 031 We All Feel Better In The Dark B-side 138 6 132 Try It (I'm In Love With A Married Man) Disco 3 136 5 033 I Don't Know What You Want But I Can't Give It Anymore Nightlife 129 6 034 Your Funny Uncle B-side 124 6 035 One More Chance B-side 123 5 036 The Truck Driver and his Mate B-side 120 6 037 It's Alright Introspective 118 4 038 My October Symphony Behaviour 116 5 039 Losing My Mind (Liza Minelli) Collaboration 109 6 040 Miserabilism B-side 106 6 041 It Couldn't Happen Here Actually 105 5 042 It Must Be Obvious B-side 98 5 043 Some Speculation B-side 98 4 044 Love Etc Yes 94 5 045 Where The Streets Have No Name(I Can't Take My Eyes Off of You) Standalone 87 4 046 A Red Letter Day Bilingual 83 4 047 Liberation Very 81 4 048 To Face The Truth Behaviour 77 3 049 Do I Have To? B-Side 76 4 050 I'm Not Scared (Eighth Wonder) Collaboration 69 4 0
17-1 coming up soon. If you want to try predicting the top 10, now's the time to do it.
― The multi-talented F.R. David (Billy Dods), Wednesday, 6 July 2011 17:39 (twelve years ago) link
OK then. No particular order:
Being BoringWest End GirlsRentWhat Have I Done to Deserve This?Always on My MindLeft to My Own DevicesIt's a SinPaninaroSo HardCan You Forgive Her?
Further down: Drunk, Dreaming of the Queen, Zero, King's Cross, This Must Be the Place… and some other stuff
― Strictly vote-splitting (DL), Wednesday, 6 July 2011 17:48 (twelve years ago) link
I am still holding out hope for appearances by at least one of "Don Juan", "Jack The Lad" and "You Know Where You Went Wrong"
― DJP, Wednesday, 6 July 2011 17:50 (twelve years ago) link
I'll add Opportunities and Shameless to the predictions list for the full 17.
― Strictly vote-splitting (DL), Wednesday, 6 July 2011 18:01 (twelve years ago) link
in order: West End Girls - Left To My Own Devices - Being Boring - Rent - What Have I Done To Deserve This? - King's Cross - So Hard - Can You Forgive Her? - Paninaro - It's A Sin
― Ismael Klata, Wednesday, 6 July 2011 18:04 (twelve years ago) link
gah, that's practically the same ten
― Ismael Klata, Wednesday, 6 July 2011 18:06 (twelve years ago) link
Funny that Fundamental has been rated higher than Release and Yes and yet it doesn't look to be represented in this poll.
― Gukbe, Wednesday, 6 July 2011 18:07 (twelve years ago) link
It's a much stronger album but it doesn't have a standout track - I could have voted for Integral, Indefinite Leave, Casanova in Hell, Sodom and Gomorrah or Minimal but ended up choosing none of them - whereas Release and Yes have obvious highlights and a fair few duds.
― Strictly vote-splitting (DL), Wednesday, 6 July 2011 18:09 (twelve years ago) link
17. So Hard. (1990, Behaviour, 223 points, 10 votes, 1 number one)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFAA6Z_YIEM
Spotify: http://open.spotify.com/track/7imWD2KFgk54awjfjmK3cJ
RIF: The track contains a sample from a porno movie featuring a woman moaning the title.
― The multi-talented F.R. David (Billy Dods), Wednesday, 6 July 2011 18:11 (twelve years ago) link
I voted for "Minimal", as I think that's one of their strongest singles in a while. I was tempted to vote "Casanova in Hell" for the Rufus Wainwright version, but I don't guess that would have gathered much steam.
xpost
Aah, I didn't vote for it, and I didn't expect to see it here, but it's always been one of my favourite singles by them. I think the "so whose matches are those" line is what made me realize I really loved the band back when I was first listening to them.
― Gukbe, Wednesday, 6 July 2011 18:12 (twelve years ago) link
Also, isn't that Gazza's daughter in the video?
Me too. I also love the contrast between all the different elements in the arrangement - it's almost too cluttered but it works.
― Strictly vote-splitting (DL), Wednesday, 6 July 2011 18:17 (twelve years ago) link
I didn't end up voting for "So Hard" but it is a great, great song
― DJP, Wednesday, 6 July 2011 18:18 (twelve years ago) link
This was in my head for days while making the poll. Very scattershot track but every part of the chorus is seriously catchy and the bass line is awesome.
― skip, Wednesday, 6 July 2011 18:19 (twelve years ago) link
while making my top 20 I mean
― skip, Wednesday, 6 July 2011 18:20 (twelve years ago) link
16. You Only Tell Me You Love Me When You're Drunk. (1999, Nightlife, 235 points, 10 votes, 1 number one)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHVMCugvrMg
Spotify:http://open.spotify.com/track/0lu6VJmIZSC5hPAfpLo4Xp
RIF:The godlike BJ Cole provides the pedal steel on this track.
― The multi-talented F.R. David (Billy Dods), Wednesday, 6 July 2011 18:33 (twelve years ago) link
^^^^^^ can imagine Merle Haggard covering it.
― The Edge of Gloryhole (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 6 July 2011 18:36 (twelve years ago) link
Listened to this a lot recently and seriously considered it for my #1. I think my love for Joe Meek swayed me towards it as much as the song itself.
― The multi-talented F.R. David (Billy Dods), Wednesday, 6 July 2011 18:39 (twelve years ago) link
"What a performance tonight" - "dissing him like a punk" - sorry, I can't see Merle singing those line. I'm always reminded of this bar in Atlanta that has line dancing - it's like the theme song for the queeny country boy.
― skip, Wednesday, 6 July 2011 18:45 (twelve years ago) link
This is the kind of song that means I get angry when people call them post-modern ironists. There's a mile-wide streak of emotional vulnerability in their songs. I think Disappointed is one of Tennant's quintessential titles. His heartbreak songs are rarely angry or vengeful or melodramatic - they're disappointed.
― Strictly vote-splitting (DL), Wednesday, 6 July 2011 18:46 (twelve years ago) link
OTM. It's just a beautiful song.
― oppet, Wednesday, 6 July 2011 18:50 (twelve years ago) link
Yes, absolutely. There's a vein of pomo irony in some tracks, one coming up soon, but 'Drunk' is cards on the table, heartbreakingly honest.
― The multi-talented F.R. David (Billy Dods), Wednesday, 6 July 2011 18:50 (twelve years ago) link
"What a performance tonight" - "dissing him like a punk" - sorry, I can't see Merle singing those line.
this is the guy who sang "Footlights" and "How Did You Find Me Here." Drop the "g" in "dissing" and he's in business.
― The Edge of Gloryhole (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 6 July 2011 18:51 (twelve years ago) link
15. Opportunities (Let's Maker Lots of Money). (1985, Please, 237 points, 11 votes, 0 number ones)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=di60NYGu03Y
Spotify: http://open.spotify.com/track/31gybC6HkcvWvHHaAckY9K
RIF: Chris Lowe came up with the hookline "I've got the brains, you've got the looks, let's make lots of money."
― The multi-talented F.R. David (Billy Dods), Wednesday, 6 July 2011 18:55 (twelve years ago) link
Guys, check out this live version from 1986 – both Neil and Chris play!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzKR_5aaYck
― The Edge of Gloryhole (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 6 July 2011 18:57 (twelve years ago) link
this was my #2, seems low. Then again I didn't grow up with it and haven't heard it played to death.
― skip, Wednesday, 6 July 2011 18:58 (twelve years ago) link
I bet this song gets on the PSBs' nerves sometimes. I remember this and Shopping being hugely misunderstood by people who only listened to the choruses. Meanwhile half the people who did understand them tagged them as postmodern ironists for ever more.
― Strictly vote-splitting (DL), Wednesday, 6 July 2011 19:00 (twelve years ago) link
Another fun fact: the only hit that charted higher in America (#10) than England (#11).
I never heard it as much as "West End Girls," which might explain why I always perform it at karaoke.
― The Edge of Gloryhole (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 6 July 2011 19:00 (twelve years ago) link
This is the first song I ever knowingly heard by them, and even then I didn't catch their name and it was months before I figured out who it was. I saw the video when MTV2 premiered.
― Gukbe, Wednesday, 6 July 2011 19:02 (twelve years ago) link
Big jump in points from now on.
14. Can You Forgive Her? (1993, Very, 253 points, 12 votes, 0 number ones)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Me4AhOi6LYE
Spotify: http://open.spotify.com/track/3NIX0G2ajYENIRQzhLQ4Ua
RIF: The title is borrowed from Anthony Trollope's 1865 novel of the same name.
― The multi-talented F.R. David (Billy Dods), Wednesday, 6 July 2011 19:03 (twelve years ago) link
Wasn't going to vote for it, but the "cricket pavilion" line is just too good.
― Gukbe, Wednesday, 6 July 2011 19:04 (twelve years ago) link
Opportunities and Shopping are great political songs. Also, Integral. Not I'm with stupid though.
― oppet, Wednesday, 6 July 2011 19:05 (twelve years ago) link
I've come to really like "I'm With Stupid" over the past few weeks, after years of really disliking it.
― Gukbe, Wednesday, 6 July 2011 19:06 (twelve years ago) link
I've gone the other way. Liked it first time around, but relistening to Fundamental this week it was one of the weakest tracks.
― oppet, Wednesday, 6 July 2011 19:09 (twelve years ago) link
Whatever Tennant-Lowe say, I still hear "I'm With Stupid" as a love song, not a "political commentary" (yes yes love is politics).
― The Edge of Gloryhole (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 6 July 2011 19:11 (twelve years ago) link
a sequel to "Young Offender" or "Boy Strange."
Can You Forgive Her is too low
― gospodin simmel, Wednesday, 6 July 2011 19:12 (twelve years ago) link
xp When they'd done the political-alliance-as-love-affair thing so well with I Get Along I don't know how they could have done it so lamely with I'm With Stupid. And the Little Britain video too - ugh.
― Strictly vote-splitting (DL), Wednesday, 6 July 2011 19:14 (twelve years ago) link
top 13 and 13 left of my list still to show up. guessing viva le vida/domino dancing and miracles are gonna be the let downs. still holding out hope for the way it used to be tho.
xp. i want to wake up is FAR too low.
― second only to popcorn (or something), Wednesday, 6 July 2011 19:16 (twelve years ago) link
13. Two Divided By Zero. (1986, Please, 266 points, 11 votes, 1 number one)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oDhGiNKsyM&feature=fvsr
Spotify: http://open.spotify.com/track/64MccFRFPz3xAxwwTLp1hu
RIF:The 'computer' voice is sample from a talking calculator Tennant bought for his father.
― The multi-talented F.R. David (Billy Dods), Wednesday, 6 July 2011 19:17 (twelve years ago) link
TOO LOW
― DJP, Wednesday, 6 July 2011 19:18 (twelve years ago) link
Sometimes I think "Two Divided By Zero" is all one needs of the Pet Shop Boys.
― The Edge of Gloryhole (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 6 July 2011 19:19 (twelve years ago) link
It's got everything: compelling synth pattern, awesome percussion, great Tennant vocal, and a pocket calculator sample.
― The Edge of Gloryhole (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 6 July 2011 19:20 (twelve years ago) link
Chris Lowe is pretty hunky on the Please cover huh?
― skip, Wednesday, 6 July 2011 19:20 (twelve years ago) link
12. Heart. (1987, Actually, 272 points, 10 votes, 0 number ones)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aucIfj7VFcg&feature=fvsr
Spotify: http://open.spotify.com/track/6N5n6vJeOGNAoVXEMW833i
RIF: Was originally intended to be used in the Spielberg produced film 'Innerspace'.
― The multi-talented F.R. David (Billy Dods), Wednesday, 6 July 2011 19:24 (twelve years ago) link