Should be 'I Started a Joke' of course.
― Dan Worsley, Sunday, 13 August 2017 19:42 (six years ago) link
Tough call between "Always on My Mind" and "Go West," but I went with the former.
― the general theme of STUFF (cryptosicko), Sunday, 13 August 2017 20:51 (six years ago) link
"It's Alright" because as a teenager I thought it was the weak link on Discography - wrong! - and now it's the only Imperial phase PSB song that still surprises me whenever I hear it again. (Not that I don't still love the others.)
I'm very fond of "We're the Pet Shop Boys" - the production is so fun
― Chuck_Tatum, Sunday, 13 August 2017 21:10 (six years ago) link
Try it try it
― Eazy, Sunday, 13 August 2017 21:42 (six years ago) link
Went with "Always on My Mind" but "It's Alright" is close for me.
― michaellambert, Sunday, 13 August 2017 22:27 (six years ago) link
I love "It's Alright" and U2/Frankie Valli, but "Always on My Mind." Don't like "Go West," haven't heard most of these.
― clemenza, Sunday, 13 August 2017 22:29 (six years ago) link
I think I've heard ... 11 of these? But several I had no idea about.
― Josh in Chicago, Sunday, 13 August 2017 22:34 (six years ago) link
So many choices. I may not voite for it, but watching their performance of "Vida La Vida" at Glastonbury in 2010 you'd think their imperial phase continued.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3oToTpCy4o&list=RDj3oToTpCy4o#t=138
― the Rain Man of nationalism. (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Sunday, 13 August 2017 22:49 (six years ago) link
I want to say that performance actually sparked a renewed interest in the band as an "imperial" act, at least on that side of the Atlantic.
― Josh in Chicago, Sunday, 13 August 2017 23:02 (six years ago) link
The three on Performance are the ones I have listened to the most.
― jmm, Sunday, 13 August 2017 23:17 (six years ago) link
Kinda wanted to vote for the U2/Frankie Valli one, but Go West is just too GOAT
― josh az (2011nostalgia), Sunday, 13 August 2017 23:49 (six years ago) link
Does the Always in my...... HOUSE remix count?
― yesca, Monday, 14 August 2017 01:27 (six years ago) link
It's Alright. But second choice would be Somewhere -love both the versions they did, especially the orchestral one. It's a kissing cousin to Go West as their take on a big empowerment anthem.
― everything, Monday, 14 August 2017 01:35 (six years ago) link
― Josh in Chicago, Sunday, August 13, 201
really??
― the Rain Man of nationalism. (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Monday, 14 August 2017 01:46 (six years ago) link
Huh, had no idea they'd covered "My Girl".
"Losing My Mind"'s a lovely Sondheim cover, and slots in neatly with "Left To My Own Devices".
As a fan of My Robot Friend, was delighted when they chose to cover "We're The Pet Shop Boys" - the Ramones covering Motörhead's "R.A.M.O.N.E.S" is the only equivalent that springs to mind.
Hard to argue with "It's Alright" and "Always On My Mind", and I've renewed appreciation for "Go West" after Mountains May Depart, but going to vote for the Bobby 'O' cover - what a transmutation.
― etc, Monday, 14 August 2017 08:03 (six years ago) link
Come on...... Always On My Mind
― PaulTMA, Monday, 14 August 2017 10:14 (six years ago) link
Damn, just realised I left off 'Sail Away' which is rather lovely. You can always vote for the other Noel Coward track instead.
Considered adding this to the poll as it's more or less a PSB track. See also Liza Minelli's version of 'Twist In My Sobriety'.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EPGhjxm0G0
― Dan Worsley, Monday, 14 August 2017 10:29 (six years ago) link
If Love Were All is incredible, one of Neil's best vocals too
― Chuck_Tatum, Monday, 14 August 2017 11:34 (six years ago) link
Well, obvious the PSB need no jump start, but that was at Coldplay's peak of sorts, too, so when they did that they were taking an already ubiquitous song and turned it into their own, which caught a lot of ears, imo. Another spark I think would be that other British awards show performance. I have no idea if either of these performances sparked any sort of UK chart spike, but certainly my vibe was that things like the Coldplay cover made the PSB feel very contemporary. Of course, I have no idea!
― Josh in Chicago, Monday, 14 August 2017 11:39 (six years ago) link
want to say that performance actually sparked a renewed interest in the band as an "imperial" act, at least on that side of the Atlantic.― Josh in Chicago, Sunday, August 13, 2017really??― the Rain Man of nationalism. (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Monday, August 14, 2017 1:46 AM (nine hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
― Josh in Chicago, Sunday, August 13, 2017
― the Rain Man of nationalism. (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Monday, August 14, 2017 1:46 AM (nine hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
It didn't.
― more Allegro-like (Turrican), Monday, 14 August 2017 11:47 (six years ago) link
I guess I'm intentionally misapplying the word "imperial." I didn't mean transform them back into some pop juggernaut, I just meant assert themselves not as has-beens or retro or old people music but as a beloved by many institution.
― Josh in Chicago, Monday, 14 August 2017 12:32 (six years ago) link
Well, maybe. Their 2013 album was their biggest seller in years.
― the Rain Man of nationalism. (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Monday, 14 August 2017 12:33 (six years ago) link
Huh, yeah, highest chart performance since Very.
― Josh in Chicago, Monday, 14 August 2017 12:37 (six years ago) link
So I take it I'm the only one here who thinks the album version of "Always on My Mind" is one of the worst songs of all time. That attempt at rap :(
― Mr. Snrub, Monday, 14 August 2017 13:03 (six years ago) link
ahahaha "We're the Pet Shop Boys" is a cover?? awesome
― frogbs, Monday, 14 August 2017 13:06 (six years ago) link
I definitely count The Crying Game as a PSB cover (it was even on Spaghetti!), and one of their best.
― shackling the masses with plastic-wrapped snack picks (sic), Monday, 14 August 2017 13:40 (six years ago) link
When given the option, I will usually vote for Weill/Brecht and this poll is no exception.
― this iphone speaks many languages (DJP), Monday, 14 August 2017 16:14 (six years ago) link
Glastonbury yeah, they were a perfect 2nd-stage-headliner-on-a-Saturday-night, especially for the ageing ravemums and popdads but i think maybe this was just as significant in its own way (all the hits plus Lady Gaga etc) from the year before
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3K-TIg__TI
― piscesx, Monday, 14 August 2017 17:58 (six years ago) link
"We're The Pet Shop Boys" is good but the Robbie Williams version is even better, IMO.
― daavid, Monday, 14 August 2017 21:58 (six years ago) link
the Brit perf above is a bit slapdash but that 2009 show was prob the best live show I've ever seen - saw it in Montreal and London, both amazing.
― Chuck_Tatum, Monday, 14 August 2017 22:33 (six years ago) link
Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.
― System, Tuesday, 22 August 2017 00:01 (six years ago) link
I saw the Montréal show too, it WAS the best.
"Always On My Mind" is hard to beat, but I'm voting for "We're The Pet Shop Boys". It's even better than the original and I just love that they covered it. So good.
― LeRooLeRoo, Tuesday, 22 August 2017 02:47 (six years ago) link
Either "Where the Streets Have No Name/I Can't Take My eyes Off You" because it annoyed U2 (and the mash-up is inspired) or "It's Alright", if only because it was the best of these songs in the first place!
― Maximum big surprise! (Nag! Nag! Nag!), Tuesday, 22 August 2017 13:06 (six years ago) link
Pretty much the only thing I would change about Introspective is that I wish the version of 'It's Alright' was an extended version of the single, because the album version isn't as good.
I love 'Always On My Mind/In My House', though!
― more Allegro-like (Turrican), Tuesday, 22 August 2017 15:54 (six years ago) link
Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.
― System, Wednesday, 23 August 2017 00:01 (six years ago) link
I probably would've voted "It's Alright" but I missed it. Had no idea that one was a cover.
― frogbs, Wednesday, 23 August 2017 14:21 (six years ago) link
results otm
― PaulTMA, Wednesday, 23 August 2017 23:50 (six years ago) link
For those wanting to just enjoy all those covers, hyperfan Ian Wade put together a nice playlist called Posters:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2IXxlYZSwR8bNZe5QVHmOw
― Ned Raggett, Saturday, 10 February 2024 19:40 (two months ago) link