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Hello music lovers and Hello hivers!
It's Tuesday which means I need my inspiration time!!
Today my post is inspired with I have absolutely no idea, the first song popped into my head from seemingly nowhere!!
It is Tuesday and that of course means that it's #ttt or #threetunetuesday and so it's time to share some tunes with you!
@ablaze started #ttt 190 weeks ago! Go check out what it is all about on his last post Kendrick Lamar's new album for Three Tune Tuesday - Week 189 - win 5 HBI
Do go support @ablaze as without him we would not have this mental fun musical activity that you can win HSBI from! I am happy to be one of the FIVE sponsors and it is kinda fun checking out music from all over this global village of ours!
Long live #ttt 😁🎼 and #threetunetuesday
Where to start
Earth shattering news is that this seemed to spontaneously appear!
I was getting ready to write today's post at about 4am which is when I was awoken this morning, and West End Girls from the Pet Shop Boys popped into my head.
I have no fluffing idea where from!
But hey ho, I will take this end product even if I know not what the journey entailed!
Who are the Pet Shop Boys
The Pet Shop Boys are an iconic English synth-pop duo and were pioneers in electronic music.
Formed in my old stomping ground Chelsea in west London in 1981 the duo consists of Neil Tennant on Vocals, keyboards, occasional guitar and Chris Loweon Keyboards and vocals.
They do have a very distinctive sound and their lyrics were often infused with irony and social commentary.
I never saw them live but from what I heard and saw they had some cracking gigs with awesome visuals.
Like many bands and musicians it is their early stuff that I like.
Tune 1 Pet Shop Boys - West End Girls
They have had 15 studio albums. The first entitled Please was released in 1986 and their last one Hotspot released in 2020.
Today we are focusing on tunes from their first two albums.
West End Girls is probably their signature tune and is from their first album Please, although it was initially released in April 1984 on the independent label Bobcat Record. That version was a hit in the club scene in the States.
The version that became a global smash hit was re-recorded with Stephen Hague and released on October 28, 1985, by Parlophone Records.
Remember I said they loved their social commentary ....
... Well, West End Girls and East End Boys typified the social divide in London in the 80s with the West End and Chelsea where they were from being the affluent areas of London and the East not so much.
But with the gentrification that has taken place in London and ripped its soul out, that has all changed for the worst, quite ironic really.
Tune 2 Pet Shop Boys - It's A Sin
Now we are fast forwarding a year to 1987.
It's A Sin was a huge hit and Number 1 in the singles chart and was taken from the 1987 album Actually.
Actually actually was their second album.
It's A Sin explores themes of regret, liberation, and overcoming societal restrictions. The lyrics express a sense of guilt and shame for past actions, particularly in relation to sexuality, and a desire to break free from societal expectations.
It did and I believe still is cited as a big gay anthem.
Tune 3 Pet Shop Boys - Suburbia
I read somewhere that the duo were most pleased with Suburbia.
It was from their debut album and when it hit the top 10 it chuffed the Pet Shop Boys ...
... Because it proved they weren't one hit wonders!
Yeah they had loads of hits and still tour I believe.
So I am going to take your forward a year to 1987 and ....
4 Bonus Tune Pet Shop Boys - Always On My Mind
Which was your favourite Pet Shops Boys tune?
One of those 3 or maybe it's ...
Note: The 4 YouTube videos that I have shared are not owned by me, I am simply spreading great music on Hive.
I wish that you all have a brilliant happy and prosperous New Year in 2025 and until we meet again enjoy your tunes 🎶🎵🎶
Thanks for visiting!
Lead image generated with AI in canva and ramblings are from me, the mad Scotsman TengoLoTodo unless otherwise stated.
@tengolotodo January 14th 2025
The start of West End Girls felt a bit creepy with the zoom in and pan to those dolls😂. I'd never heard of this band before, but I love the energy of the songs you've posted and i will check them out more. It's very groovy.
Thank you for this post.
lol I never thought of that before!
Yeah their energy is great and I hope you enjoy checking them out.
Very hard to choose because they are all great. So thanks for sharing them. Anyway, I'm going to give West End Girls first position. But it's close.
No doubt inspired by the fantastic Manc band - Simply Spread 😂
Yeah I think West End Girls just pips it.
Hehe Simply Spread 🤣
How do you get your collections of music every tuesday its always packed with amazing sound tracks
Hehe Freda I think because we prefer songs that aren't from today 🤣
Hmmm awesome
I love Pet Shop Boys and it's so hard to pin down my favourite song, there are so many. I have their second album Actually, love listening to it. I remember listening to Kings Cross, and then not long after the fire happened at King's Cross. Do you remember that? The wooden escalator
When I have time, I need to watch their gig on BBC Radio 2 in the Park from last year and indulge myself
Oh yes that was 1987. Such a shame as I had been up those wooden escalators a few time in King's Cross. And talking of King's Cross hasn't it changed big time since 1987!
Oh that sounds like a plan, they are pretty cool and glad to know you love them Pauline!
Another band that I only know a handful of their songs and I should really dig into them a bit more. I will have to keep them in mind. I have a groove playlist going right now, but when that is finished I might switch over to this.
I seem to be random playing things this year, not got to a playlist yet!
Down to memory line of those years when I listened to the Pet Shop Boys!
My favorite was undoubtedly Always on my mind. 💙
Yeah Always on my mind is a cracker of a song Super Eli 💙
I like the 2nd song, it's a sin. I have mixed feelings listening to it.😐😬.
Asia and It's A Sin .. I am saying nothing 😎
How did you do it? I love every song and it awakened thousands of memories. It took me back to my teenage years, dancing in the mini clubs, the videos on MTV. My favorite is Always On My Mind, although it could also be It's A Sin. Turn it up and dance! Hugs
Ah yes dance those little legs Nancy!
Yeah it is funny, maybe I though of your school years and decided Pet Shop Boys was the band to play today!
Always on my Mind and It's A Sin are both awesome, big hugs :)
Although I don't know them because I'm not from the era, I liked the last song. It has a nice touch, and rhythm.
The music video also has a good perspective. It's definitely Always On My Mind for me.
Yeah they were before you but they had an album in 2020.
Good to know you like Always On My Mind
I'll look for the 2020 album and take a look. :)