Pet Shop Boys are one of the most iconic and influential synth-pop duos in the history of music. Since their formation in 1981, they have been known for their catchy melodies, electronic instrumentation, and distinctive vocals, as well as their socially conscious lyrics and innovative music videos.
With so many classic songs to their name, it can be difficult to narrow down the best Pet Shop Boys songs of all time. However, there are a few songs that stand out as particularly powerful and enduring, showcasing the duo’s incredible talent and range as artists.
In this list, we will explore 10 of the best Pet Shop Boys songs, from dance floor anthems to introspective ballads, capturing the essence of their unique sound and enduring legacy in the music world. These songs continue to inspire and move listeners today, cementing Pet Shop Boys’ place as true icons of the synth-pop genre and a testament to the power of music to touch the soul.
1. West End Girls
“West End Girls” is a classic synth-pop song by English duo Pet Shop Boys. Released in 1984, the song features a catchy melody, electronic instrumentation, and the distinctive vocals of lead singer Neil Tennant. The lyrics describe the harsh realities of life in London’s West End, with lines like “In a West End town, a dead end world, the East End boys and West End girls” and “From a council flat to a shouting street, our heads are empty but our hearts are full.” The song’s driving beat and infectious chorus make it a timeless classic, with its popularity enduring more than three decades after its initial release.
2. It’s a Sin
“It’s a Sin” is a classic synth-pop song by Pet Shop Boys. Released in 1987, the song features a haunting melody, electronic instrumentation, and the distinctive vocals of lead singer Neil Tennant. The lyrics explore themes of guilt, shame, and redemption, with lines like “At school they taught me how to be so pure in thought and word and deed, they didn’t quite succeed” and “Everything I’ve ever done, everything I ever do, every place I’ve ever been, everywhere I’m going to.” The song’s powerful emotional impact, combined with its driving beat and infectious chorus, make it a timeless classic, with its popularity enduring more than three decades after its initial release.
3. Always on My Mind
“Always on My Mind” is a classic Pet Shop Boys cover of the classic song originally recorded by Elvis Presley. Released in 1987, the song features a beautiful melody, lush instrumentation, and the distinctive vocals of lead singer Neil Tennant. The lyrics express regret and longing for a lost love, with lines like “Maybe I didn’t love you quite as often as I could have, maybe I didn’t treat you quite as good as I should have.” The song’s emotional power and beautiful arrangement make it a timeless classic, with its popularity enduring more than three decades after its initial release.
4. What Have I Done to Deserve This? (with Dusty Springfield)
“What Have I Done to Deserve This?” is a classic Pet Shop Boys duet featuring legendary singer Dusty Springfield. Released in 1987, the song features a catchy melody, lush instrumentation, and the soulful vocals of both Neil Tennant and Springfield. The lyrics describe the aftermath of a failed romance, with lines like “I’ve been in love but now I’m waiting up for the light to shine” and “You always wanted a lover, I only wanted a job.” The song’s emotional depth and beautiful arrangement make it a timeless classic, with its popularity enduring more than three decades after its initial release.
5. Go West
“Go West” is a classic synth-pop song by Pet Shop Boys. Released in 1993, the song features a catchy melody, electronic instrumentation, and the distinctive vocals of lead singer Neil Tennant. The lyrics encourage listeners to follow their dreams and pursue a life of freedom and adventure, with lines like “We will find a way to survive, we have all the love we need to survive” and “Together we will take our place in the sun.” The song’s uplifting message, combined with its driving beat and infectious chorus, make it a timeless classic, with its popularity enduring more than two decades after its initial release.
6. Suburbia
“Suburbia” is a classic synth-pop song by Pet Shop Boys. Released in 1986, the song features a haunting melody, electronic instrumentation, and the distinctive vocals of lead singer Neil Tennant. The lyrics explore themes of disillusionment and escape, with lines like “I only wanted something else to do but hang around and get screwed up on you” and “I want to go to heaven, but I don’t want to die.” The song’s emotional power and atmospheric arrangement make it a timeless classic, with its popularity enduring more than three decades after its initial release.
7. Opportunities (Let’s Make Lots of Money)
“Opportunities (Let’s Make Lots of Money)” is a classic synth-pop song by Pet Shop Boys. Released in 1985, the song features a catchy melody, electronic instrumentation, and the distinctive vocals of lead singer Neil Tennant. The lyrics offer a wry commentary on the materialism and consumerism of the 1980s, with lines like “I’ve got the brains, you’ve got the looks, let’s make lots of money” and “You can be a rich man, too, in a town called Opportunity.” The song’s tongue-in-cheek humor, combined with its driving beat and infectious chorus, make it a timeless classic, with its popularity enduring more than three decades after its initial release.
8. Being Boring
“Being Boring” is a classic synth-pop song by Pet Shop Boys. Released in 1990, the song features a beautiful melody, lush instrumentation, and the distinctive vocals of lead singer Neil Tennant. The lyrics reflect on the passing of time and the loss of friends, with lines like “We were never holding back or worried that time would come to an end” and “All the people we knew, they’re not like you, they’re not dead.” The song’s emotional power and introspective lyrics make it a timeless classic, with its popularity enduring more than three decades after its initial release.
9. Domino Dancing
“Domino Dancing” is a classic synth-pop song by Pet Shop Boys. Released in 1988, the song features a driving beat, electronic instrumentation, and the distinctive vocals of lead singer Neil Tennant. The lyrics describe the thrill and excitement of dancing, with lines like “On the floor, we’re in control, you and me, we can’t go wrong” and “With a thrill in my head and a pill on my tongue, dissolve the nerves that have just begun.” The song’s infectious rhythm and catchy chorus make it a timeless classic, with its popularity enduring more than three decades after its initial release.
10. Heart
“Heart” is a classic synth-pop song by Pet Shop Boys. Released in 1988, the song features a haunting melody, electronic instrumentation, and the distinctive vocals of lead singer Neil Tennant. The lyrics describe the pain and vulnerability of a broken heart, with lines like “You got a heart of glass or a heart of stone, just you wait until I get you home” and “I don’t know how much more my heart can take.” The song’s emotional power and atmospheric arrangement make it a timeless classic, with its popularity enduring more than three decades after its initial release.
Simon Robinson is a frequent contributor to Singers Room. Since 2005, Singersroom has been the voice of R&B around the world. Connect with us via social media below.
