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What's New? – Recent Updates & Additions

May 17, 2025

Personal Observations

Neil Tennant and Mark Springer appeared briefly on BBC Radio 3 this morning to discuss their recent Sleep of Reason collaboration. You can listen to their segment on the BBC Sounds website, starting at about the 47:37 mark and continuing to about 55:30.

On a separate note altogether, I'm extremely frustrated that, just as Amazon had canceled my order of Sleep of Reason exactly two weeks ago for no apparent reason, they've now canceled my order of the PSB Dreamworld Blu-ray/CD set, simply saying that it's "unavailable." So I'm apparently going to have to find another way to obtain it. (FYI, Blu-ray discs are region-coded, so I have to be sure I get one that will play in the the States. And I'm not going to purchase a brand new player simply to get one that will play any disc, regardless of where it comes from.) Are shipments of U.K. products being restricted on account of tariffs? And is this also going to cause some problem for the distribution of my upcoming books, which have a U.K.-based publisher? Grrrrr….

May 16, 2025

PSB Concert Tours

As announced this morning on the Pet Shop Boys' official website, they will be appearing on August 9 at the Way Out West Festival in Gothenburg, Sweden. I've updated my PSB Concert Tours page accordingly.

May 15, 2025

PSB Songs Performed by Other Artists

The Scottish singer/band Hamish Hawk will include a remake of "So Hard" on their upcoming EP Covers II. I've therefore noted this fact on my page devoted to Pet Shop Boys songs performed by other artists.

May 14, 2025

Mixes/Version

Thanks to Malte Kierblewsky for suggesting some revisions and additions to my mixes/versions for a number of tracks. While for various reasons I won't be making all of these updates, I have added the Thunderpuss 2000 Radio Edit for "New York City Boy" and the Dark Horse Mix for "She's Madonna."

May 11, 2025

Mixes/Version

Thanks to Eke Webb for letting me know about the newly released Pet Shop Boys Remix Dub of Primal Scream's "Innocent Money," which I've noted along with two other previously released PSB mixes of that track. He also noticed that I hadn't added it to my page devoted to the Pet Shop Boy's work as remixers. Eke was actually the second person to tell me about this new dub mix, but I neglected to mention it here yesterday (it was a very busy day), I've somehow misplaced his communiqué to me about it, and now I don't remember who it was. So I very sincerely apologize to that person, whoever you are. I guess I'm way too busy. Or maybe I'm just getting old. (Well, what else is new?)

May 10, 2025

Updates/Corrections

Thanks to Matteo G for noticing that I hadn't posted a thumbnail image of the sleeve of the 2014 Diamond Version single "Were You There?" which features Neil as guest vocalist. I've now added that image.

May 7, 2025

Updates/Corrections

Thanks to Jeff Schapira for alerting me to a fact that had slipped past me until now: that the Chinese edition of Fundamental has two fewer tracks ("The Sodom and Gommorah Show" and "Casanova in Hell" are deleted, the result of censorship) than the standard version released everywhere else. I've noted this in a new final paragraph to my entry for that album overall.

May 6, 2025

The Pet Shop Boys as Remixers

Thanks to Nenad P. for noticing that I had overlooked including the Pet Shop Boys' Indio Mix and Cali Mix of "Fluorescent" on my page devoted to their work as remixers. And I also owe Nenad acknowledgment and an apology for forgetting that he had suggested that I add the MX Radio Edit of "New York City Boy" quite a long time ago, but I, for whatever reason, decided against citing it at that time. Maybe Matteo's suggestion (see the May 5 entry below) triggered a subconscious acceptance of it on my part—sort of a "OK, here it is again, I better do something about it this time." Who knows how the mind works? Whatever the case, thanks again to both Nenad and Matteo!

Personal Observations

My publisher, Fonthill Media, has shared with me the prospective cover of Pet Shop Boys: Song by Song Vol. 1 (1984-2004), the first of my two forthcoming books. (Please note that this cover is indeed only tentative and therefore subject to change.) It closely follows the established pattern of previous books in their Song by Song series. I'm quite pleased with it myself. As a reminder, Volume 1 is scheduled for publication October 30.

Meanwhile, I removed the new hit-counter routine from my home page because it appeared to have begun triggering a malicious site-redirect routine on that page's links. I find this sort of thing intolerable, so I cleared it out. I sincerely apologize for any problems it may have caused before I caught it. And I guess I'll just have to do without a hit counter from here on out since everything I've tried recently either doesn't work or causes nasty problems. Well, I've read recently that website hit-counters are considered passé now, anyway. As one online commentator put it, "They're so 2010s."

May 5, 2025

Mixes/Versions

Thanks to Matteo G for pointing out that I was missing one of the David Morales mixes of "New York City Boy"—namely the "MX Radio Edit" (exclusive to an official Parlophone Mexican promo single), which is virtually identical to the "Radio Edit #2" but with a slight but noticeable difference in the mix of one of its choruses. I've now listed this additional mix among the mixes/versions for that song.

May 3, 2025

Celebrity Fans of the Pet Shop Boys Outside the Field of Music

Thanks to Paul Clements for informing me (along with the requisite evidence in the form of a podcast in which the subject is brought up) that U.K. academic, philosopher, author, and podcaster Kathleen Stock is a lifelong Pet Shop Boys fan. She therefore earns a spot in my list of celebrity fans of the Pet Shop Boys outside the field of music.

In Memoriam

I've added Krysia Korczynski, whose passing in 2024 was noted by the Boys in Annually 2025, to my In Memoriam page.

Personal Observations

With no explanation, Amazon UK, from which back in March I had placed my advance order of the CDs of Neil's new collaboration with Mark Springer, Sleep of Reason, is now telling me that my order is "undeliverable" and that I should soon be getting a refund. So I tried to order it from Amazon US instead, but there it's listed as "unavailable." So I guess I'm out of luck, at least for the time being. (Could this be the result of those damn, needless tariffs?) Thank goodness I can hear it online. But, still, I find it extremely irritating that I can't get a physical copy. I'm not a happy camper right now.

In the meantime, I'll pose a question to those of you who have indeed obtained a physical copy. Does it include printed lyrics? I'd love to know! Thanks! (UPDATE: Yes, it does! One of my regular site visitors has shared those lyrics with me. Thanks so much to leesmapman!)

May 2, 2025

Personal Observations

I'm pleased to report that my publisher has suggested I expand the scope of Volume 2 of my upcoming Pet Shop Boys: Song by Song books to include much of 2025 rather than "cutting off" at the end of 2024, yet without delaying its scheduled March 30, 2026 publication date. Because of that March publication, it does mean that I won't be able to include all of 2025, but will have to "cut it off" sometime between July and October, the later the better. So if the Boys do release any new music during the last quarter or so of 2025, it can't be included. That's unfortunate, but neither I nor the publisher wishes to delay publication of Volume 2 any more than necessary. This means that "Hymn (In Memoriam Alexei Navalny)," Neil's recent "solo" endeavors, and recent PSB remixes will be covered (though the latter, like all "outside remixes," are mentioned only in passing). Meanwhile, barring unforeseen setbacks, Volume 1 is still slated to appear this coming October 30.

April 30, 2025

Breaking News!

The U.K. press is reporting this morning that the upcoming album by Kae Tempest, Self Titled, scheduled for July 4 release, will feature a guest appearance by Neil Tennant. There's no word yet as to which track will feature Neil and the precise nature of this collaboration, although of course work as a support vocalist is most likely.

Updates/Corrections

Thanks to Steve N. for sharing some additional information about the Gardens of Èze, including his observation that Princess Antoinette, sister of Prince Rainier, may actually be the princess to whom Neil refers in the lyrics of "The Madness of Summer." I've now noted this in my entry for that track from Sleep of Reason.

Also, thanks to John M. for reporting a broken link to an outside page (beyond my control) in my entry for "Run, Girl, Run." I've now removed the link.

And thanks to leesmapman for catching a careless error on my part, now fixed, in my commentary on the PSB remix of "How Do You Love?" in which I had confused "I Want a Dog" (the correct song) with "I'm Not Scared."

April 29, 2025

"Performance Parodies" of the Pet Shop Boys

Thanks to Richard Firth for letting me know that famed BBC Radio personality Steve Wright passed away last year, which has necessitated a few minor adjustments to a couple of entries involving him in my list of "performance parodies" of the Pet Shop Boys, specifically #7 and #8.

Updates/Corrections

In the wake of the old website hit-counter routine on my home page inexplicably faltering several days ago, I've now set up a new routine there. I don't like its appearance quite as much as the old one, but at least it's working. And I had to estimate its starting figure based on my last recollection of the previous one. Whatever the case, let's hope it continues to work for a good long time.

April 27, 2025

Updates/Corrections

Thanks to Raymond Merkh for catching a spelling error, now corrected, in my new entry on the PSB remix of Tina Turner's "Hot for You Baby."

April 26, 2025

PSB Music Videos

Thanks to John McFadden for telling me about the new music video for "Phantoms and Monsters," one of the Sleep of Reason tracks featuring Neil as lyricist and vocalist. I've added it to the "…if we really stretch it" section toward the end of my page devoted to capsule descriptions of Pet Shop Boys music videos.

April 25, 2025

Updates/Corrections

I've posted a new page for the Pet Shop Boys' remix of Tina Turner's "Hot for You Baby" and I've updated my page for their remix of the Hidden Cameras' "How Do You Love?" I've also added both of the tracks to my accounting of the Boys' work as remixers.

Having been able to listen to Sleep of Reason online, I've made some rather preliminary updates to what I have to say about the tracks for which Neil has provided lyrics and vocals. But please note that these are indeed just my very preliminary musings. I expect in the days and weeks ahead to be able to update and revise what I say as I "digest" them further and perhaps learn more about them, especially if Neil himself offers any further comments about them.

Incidentally, over the past few days several of my site visitors have written to me to provide info, updates, and "tips" about all of these new releases. I'm pretty good at keeping up with such PSB news myself, but I appreciate your efforts to keep me well informed "just in case." Thanks so much to you all!

April 24, 2025

New Releases

Neil's "solo" collaboration with Mark Springer and the Sacconi String Quartet, Sleep of Reason, is scheduled for release tomorrow. Although I have it on order, Amazon has alerted me that I won't be receiving it until sometime in early May. So unless the tracks on which Neil sings that haven't yet appeared online are also made available online, I won't be able to write anything about them until after I get my copy. I just wanted to give you that heads-up.

Also, word is that a new PSB remix of the 1984 Tina Turner outtake "Hot for You Baby" will also be released tomorrow. I'll post a new page devoted to that track here on my website once I've had an opportunity to hear this new mix myself. Stay tuned!

Tracks That Mention "Pet Shop Boys'

Thanks to Bjørn-Roar K. for telling me about a delightful new song by the U.K.-based artist Fused, "I Won't Be Your Rock 'n' Roll," which mentions the Pet Shop Boys in a spoken bit (clearly derived from "Paninaro") toward the end. I've therefore listed it at #57 in my list of tracks that mention "Pet Shop Boys." And if you would to hear this song for yourself, it's available in both Spotify and YouTube.

Books About PSB

Thanks to Rory Simpson for letting me know that the 2024 Pet Shop Boys book by Jakob Braun, which had previously been available only in German, has now been translated into English, Pet Shop Boys Up Close. I've updated my page devoted to books about the Pet Shop Boys accordingly. Incidentally, I've just now placed an order for this new English-language edition, so I should be getting it shortly. I'll make any appropriate updates afterward. And, in case you're wondering, it's too soon for me to list my own upcoming PSB books (mentioned here yesterday) on that page. I'll wait until images of their front covers are available.

Updates/Corrections

For the second time in less than a year, the hit-counter routine on my home page has gone kaput, and I have no idea why. So, until I can resolve this problem, I've removed the hit counter code altogether.

April 23, 2025

Breaking News!

I'm excited to announce, with my publisher's blessing, the forthcoming publication of a pair of books that I've written about the music of the Pet Shop Boys. Published by U.K.-based Fonthill Media, Pet Shop Boys: Song by Song Vol. 1 (1984-2004) and Pet Shop Boys: Song by Song Vol. 2 (2005-2024) are the latest editions in Fonthill Media's ongoing Song by Song series, which has previously included books focusing on the music of such artists as ABBA, Kate Bush, Led Zeppelin, Madonna, Kylie Minogue, Pink Floyd, Bruce Springsteen, and U2, among others. In fact, my PSB books are the first in the series to warrant two volumes, at the publisher's own suggestion. Volume 1 is scheduled for publication this coming October 30 in the U.K. and a month later in the U.S., while Volume 2 is slated for March 30, 2026 in the U.K. and a month later in the States. They're not yet available to order, but Volume 1 should be available for advance orders sometime before October.

You might be wondering why anyone should bother buying books that I've written about the Pet Shop Boys' music when, after all, this website is available for free. I can think of several good reasons. For one thing, although there is a good deal of overlap between this website and the books, they're by no means identical. Think of the books as a sort of "single mix" of this website's content. The text of the books is tightened and "refined," zeroing in on what I consider the most important information about each song.

Another consideration is that, to be blunt, I don't know how much longer this website will be around. I'm not getting any younger, and I'm rapidly approaching the age at which my father passed away. And his death came with shocking speed, with relatively little warning. One day he was out in the field of his farm, gathering hay, seemingly as healthy as the proverbial horse, yet a month later he was gone. So my website may also suddenly vanish someday with little or no warning. These books, however, will provide a lasting, "permanent" record of my PSB-related work. And they'll also provide a lasting, "permanent" source of information about PSB music itself.

At any rate, I hope many of you will consider purchasing these books once they become available. I'll provide updates here as appropriate. In the meantime, thanks so much for your interest and support!

April 19, 2025

Song Annotations

Thanks to Steven N. for sharing his intriguing observation that the lines "Look left, then right / And run for your life" in "Up Against It" may cleverly allude to U.K. prime ministerships in the postwar era. I explain this in a new next-to-last bullet-point annotation to my commentary on that song.

April 18, 2025

PSB Songs That Have Been Used in Films and "Non-musical" TV Shows
Celebrity Fans of the Pet Shop Boys Outside the Field of Music

Thanks to Rob Bainbridge for telling me about this morning's episode of the U.K. television show Lorraine, which triggers an addendum to my entry for "It's a Sin" at #21 in my list of Pet Shop Boys songs used in films and non-musical TV shows as well the addition of actress and TV personality Sally Lindsay to my list of celebrity PSB fans outside the field of music.

April 17, 2025

PSB Songs That Have Been Used in TV Commercials

Thanks to Jarek Staszkowian for letting me know that Lexus is now using "Domino Dancing" in television commercials in Hungary, just as in Poland last year. I've made this update to the entry for that song at #13 in my list of Pet Shop Boys songs that have been used in TV commercials.

Updates/Corrections

Having received his permission to do so, I've added Malte Kierblewsky's name to my Thank You page in recognition of his contribution of information yesterday (see just below).

April 16, 2025

Mixes/Versions

Thanks to Malte Kierblewsky for questioning the "reality" of the 3:25 Vinny Vero Vox Mix of "To Step Aside," which I've long listed on my page devoted to that song. Upon investigating the matter further, I've come, at least tentatively, to agree with him: there seems to be little if any evidence of its actual existence. I've therefore, for the time being, deleted my citation of it. If, however, any of you are able to provide evidence of its existence, please let me know.

April 13, 2025

Updates/Corrections

Thanks to Matteo for letting me know that Johnny Marr's live album Look Out Live! has just been released, a few days ahead of its previously announced release date. I've accordingly updated my page for "Rebel Rebel," one of two tracks on that album (the other being "Getting Away with It") that feature Neil as guest vocalist.

Breaking News!

Two of my long-time site visitors (thanks Andrew Shaw and John McFadden!) have clued me in on the fact that the Pet Shop Boys have begun "workshopping" their upcoming stage production Naked. I really don't have anything to say about it at this time, so I'm going to hold off on any further comment until I know a lot more. After all, it's still very, very early in the process.

April 12, 2025

Updates/Corrections

While continuing to peruse Annually 2025, I noticed that the Pet Shop Boys refer to their "Neilatron," their long-used digital takeoff on a classic mellotron using samples of Neil's voice. I've always previously used the spelling "Neilotron," believing that to be a better parallel to "mellotron." And, though I may well be wrong about this, I could've sworn that they've previously spelled it "Neilotron" themselves. But, whatever the case, it would now appear that "Neilatron" is now (and possibly has always been) their preferred spelling. So I've gone through my website and have replaced all "Neilotron" spellings with "Neilatron."

April 11, 2025

Updates/Corrections

Thanks to Andrew Shaw for pointing out that, although the Hidden Cameras' new single "How Do You Love?" was released today, the Pet Shop Boys' remix apparently won't be released for a few weeks yet. I've updated my entry for that track accordingly.

Meanwhile, I've just received my copy of Annually 2025. Among the scattered website additions I've gleaned from it so far are:

There are likely more to come, but other demands on my time will prevent me from making any further updates until tomorrow.

April 8, 2025

Major PSB VHS/LD/DVD Releases

A few days ago I received an email notice that my order of the upcoming Dreamworld Blu-ray set will be substantially delayed, and I've heard from a few other fans that they received similar messages. The Pet Shop Boys' official website has now confirmed that this is a general problem beyond their control, for which they apologize.

Updates/Corrections

Having received his permission to do so, I've now added Gerd Hallenberger's name to my Thank You page in recognition of his contribution of information yesterday (see below).

April 7, 2025

Technical Issues

On account of technical issues with my website hosting service, well beyond my control, my website was "down" for at least two hours, perhaps longer, earlier today. It's obviously up and running again. Let's hope it stays that way! Even though it was, as I said, outside of my control, I nevertheless apologize for any concern or inconvenience.

PSB Songs That Have Been Used in Films and "Non-musical" TV Shows

Thanks to Gerd Hallenberger for letting me know that the Sleaford Mods' 2024 remake of "West End Girls" figured prominently in yesterday's episode of the long-running German television crime drama Tatort. I've added this fact to the entry for that song at #1 in my list of Pet Shop Boys songs that have been used in films and non-musical TV shows. And, yes, even though it's a Sleaford Mods recording, it's still a PSB song!

April 4, 2025

Breaking News!

Various online sources are reporting that a new single by Hidden Cameras, titled "How Do You Love?" scheduled for release next Friday (April 11) will feature at least one remix (perhaps more) by the Pet Shop Boys. In fact, it's being widely promoted as by "Hidden Cameras feat. Pet Shop Boys," which suggests, rightly or wrongly, that the Boys play a more prominent role than merely as remixers. If you recall, the Boys remixed another Hidden Cameras track, "Colour of a Man," back in 2009, and worked with them again in 2016 on the song "Ode to an Ah." I've posted a tentative and still extremely fragmentary page for this new song, but I'll undoubtedly expand on it as I learn more. Stay tuned!

Updates/Corrections

Thanks to Steve N. for sharing his intriguing observation that the little synth bits scattered through the rap section of "New London Boy" are highly reminiscent of a recurring synth motif in the Grandmaster Flash classic "The Message," which Neil has alluded to in discussing this Nonetheless track. I've made note of this fact in a new concluding sentence to the first paragraph of my commentary on the song.

Personal Observations

I hope you aren't offended if I make my annual request for you not to send me any suggestions for updates based on material gleaned from the new issue of Annually, which ships today. Since I live in the western United States, I won't be receiving my copy until well after many of you who live in the U.K., continental Europe, and even the eastern U.S. do. It may be several weeks before I get it. Once I do, I always enjoy going through it myself and gleaning material for updates on my own. But it takes a lot of the fun out of it if you send me "spoilers." So please hold off on sending me any such update suggestions until after I've made them myself; I'll be sure to mention it here when I do. Once I've made those updates, if you then feel I've overlooked anything, please feel free to write to me about it. In the meantime, thanks so much for your restraint and understanding!

April 1, 2025

Updates/Corrections

Thanks so much to Francisco Rojas for pointing out that, as revealed in Literally 42 (2016), the lyrics of "New London Boy" can trace their origins back to the Super era with an attempt by Neil to compose possible additional lyrics for the song "Happiness." I've now noted this fascinating fact in a new second paragraph in my commentary for "New London Boy." And, no, this is not an April Fool's joke!

March 24, 2025

PSB Songs That Have Been Used in Films and "Non-musical" TV Shows

Thanks to Mark Binmore for letting me know that an instrumental portion of "In the Night" was used in a September 1990 episode of the U.K. game show The Generation Game, a fact that I've added to the entry for that song at #2 in my list of Pet Shop Boys songs used in films and non-musical TV shows.

March 21, 2025

PSB Concert Tours

The Pet Shop Boys' official website has announced an August 14 show at the Royal Sandringham Estate, which I've now noted on my PSB concert tours page.

March 19, 2025

Updates/Corrections

Thanks to Richard Firth for catching a typo—one that had been there for years—on my page for the song "Motoring." I've now corrected it.

 

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