The allure of the Pet Shop Boys is eternal; it’s a fact I was vividly reminded of during a laid-back evening with Rick, my other half and the ultimate ‘pethead’ among us. He was stirring up something magical in the kitchen while I queued up a mega-mix of PSB tracks I’d crafted back in 2007. The beats and melodies filled the room, serving as a reminder of the duo’s indelible mark on synth-pop, new wave, and dance music across generations.
Let’s be honest; blending songs from different decades, each with its own BPM and style, is no easy feat. But that’s what makes Pet Shop Boys unique—their ability to transcend time and genre. Crafting this mega-mix was akin to maneuvering through a musical obstacle course, which is why I leaned on ‘Hot Tracks’ and ‘Razormaid’ mixes to give the set a more club-friendly vibe.
As we sat back and savored our dinner and drinks, the track “Opportunities (Let’s Make Lots Of Money)” filled the room, a poignant reminder of the band’s early dalliances with ironic social commentary. Next up was “Love Comes Quickly,” a dance mix capturing the ephemeral nature of affection. Then, “West End Girls,” a Sasha remix offering, took us back to the heart of 1980s London. The set continued to evolve with one of my favorite songs from their catalog like “Being Boring,” paying homage to times gone by, and “Go West,” which carried the unmistakable echoes of a world moving towards new beginnings. Then again, it was more of patronage to the gay mecca Key West in South Florida or even San Francisco — take your pick.
The Pet Shop Boys—Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe—formed in London in 1981. They burst onto the scene with their debut album “Please” and never looked back. Over the years, their lyrical genius and pioneering electronic beats have resonated with diverse audiences, earning them Brit Awards, a devoted fan base, and even a place in theatrical productions.
I’m sure everyone has their stories about where they were, what they were doing or even their first gay kiss while listening to PSB. I’m not sure where I read this, but several years ago I came across an article about ten ways to tell if your boyfriend is gay. One of the things on the list is if his CD collection had Madonna’s “Immaculate Collection”, Erasure’s “Pop! 20 Hits” or “Discography: The Complete Singles Collection” by the dynamic duo.
So whether you’re listening to “Paninaro ’95” for its haunting beats or “New York City Boy” for its disco-fueled tempo, each song offers a window into the rich tapestry of human emotion. The genius of the Pet Shop Boys lies not just in their ability to craft hits, but in their knack for capturing the zeitgeist, for understanding that each of us, in our way, is looking for opportunities, love, and a sense of belonging.
Until the next time…ENJOY!
Album : Pet Shop Boys | Mixed-UP I & II
Genre : Dance, Disco, Electronica, House
Total Time : 2:36:47
1. Opportunities (Let’s Make Lots Of Money) (Original 12” Mix)
2. Love Comes Quickly (Dance Mix)
3. West End Girls (Sasha Mix)
4. One More Chance (Hot Tracks Remix)
5. Left To My Own Devices (Razormaid Mix)
6. Heart (Hot Tracks Mix)
7. What Have I Done To Deserve This (Shep Pettibone Mix)
8. Domino Dancing (Disco Mix)
9. Always On My Mind (Hot Tracks Mix)
10. Losing My Mind (Hot Tracks Remix)
11. Was It Worth It (12” Remix)
12. Discoteca (Trouser Enthusiasts Mix)
13. Go West (Ming’s Gone West First & Second Movement)
14. Before (D.T.’s After Mix)
15. Being Boring (Hot Tracks Remix)
16. Where The Streets Have No Name (Hot Tracks Remix)
17. I Don’t Know What You Want But… (David Morales Remix)
18. Break 4 Love (Friburn & Urik Hi-Pass Mix)
19. It’s A Sin (Technopop Remix)
20. Minimal (M-Factor Mix)
21. So Hard (David Morales Red Zone Vocal Mix)
22. Paninaro ’95 (Angel Moraes Deep Dance Mix)
23. I’m With Stupid (PSB Maxi-Mix)
24. New York City Boy (The Almighty Definitive Mix)
25. It’s Alright (Razormaid Mix)
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