In 1992, when Pet Shop Boys were asked by Derek Jarman to perform at an AIDS charity event at The Haçienda nightclub in Manchester, Chris Lowe of the duo selected "Go West" as the song they would perform. Though singer Neil Tennant was unable to remember the lyrics during that performance, the two decided to record it as a single.
The original single version of the song, set for an earlier release in 1992 as a non-album single, was never used; both it, and its similarly unreleased B-side "Forever in Love", were eventually released on the 2001 expanded reissue of Very. The final single release, in 1993, was the second single from Very, and included remixes by Brothers in Rhythm, Farley & Heller, Kevin Saunderson, and Mark Stent; the new B-side, "Shameless", went on to be included in the band's 2001 musical, Closer to Heaven. The 1993 single release went to number two in the United Kingdom and number one in Germany; in both countries, it was their biggest hit of the 1990s or the 2000s (so far). "Go West" has since become Pet Shop Boys' traditional concert closer.
Musically, the new version played up the basis of the original's chord progression in Pachelbel's Canon, bringing the theme to the forefront in the opening of the song. In addition to the Canon elements, the new version also includes thematic elements from the old Soviet Union anthem. The song also underwent extensive reworkings of its instrumental tracks, with producers Stephen Hague and Mark Stent credited for the mixing, as well as an all-male Broadway choir (said by Tennant to be inspired by the song "There Is Nothing Like a Dame" from the Broadway musical South Pacific). In addition, Tennant and Lowe inserted a new section to the song, with the lyrics:
There where the air is free
we'll be what we want to be
Now if we make a stand
we'll find our promised land
Where the original was sincerely idealistic in its depiction of a utopia, the Pet Shop Boys version, characteristic of the band, introduced a layer of subtext — here, sadness and a hopeless optimism, inspired by the aftermath of the AIDS pandemic of the 1980s and how it had affected the supposed utopia of the original version.
In addition, the music video of the new version introduced Soviet imagery (such as red stars), showing troops of identical men marching up a staircase stretching into the clouds, with the Statue of Liberty looming in the distance — seemingly towards a promised Western utopia. Directed by Howard Greenhalgh, the video relied heavily on computer-generated imagery, as was the case with his entire series of videos for the Very singles.
One of the few real-life elements were Tennant and Lowe, dressed in blue and yellow bodysuits and round, domed helmets (among a series of costumes they adapted for promotion of the singles from Very); one of the few real-life backdrops used was Red Square, Moscow, which the pair are seen walking through, while wearing the costumes. (The costumes were parodied in the video for their later 2006 single, "I'm with Stupid".) Adding to the Soviet theme, the song also drew comparisons to the National Anthem of the Soviet Union. The video was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video in 1995, losing to "Love Is Strong" by The Rolling Stones.
Years later, when Pet Shop Boys closed their set at the July 2, 2005 Moscow Live 8 concert in Red Square with the song, the Russian audience could be heard singing along.
The original music video for the Pet Shop Boys version of the song prominently features Communist iconography, especially the red star and red flags selectively obliterating scenes. The Statue of Liberty is also shown, frequently with a red crown, and at least once is seen to appear to crumble as the red-crowned troops dressed in white advance across the landscape of the video.
Go West
Pet Shop Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Together) we will go our way
(Together) we will leave someday
(Together) your hand in my hands
(Together) we will make our plans
(Together) we will fly so high
(Together) tell all our friends goodbye
(Together) we will start life new
(Go west) life is peaceful there
(Go west) in the open air
(Go west) where the skies are blue
(Go west) this is what we're gonna do
(Go west, this is what we're gonna do, go west)
(Together) we will love the beach
(Together) we will learn and teach
(Together) change our pace of life
(Together) we will work and strive
(I love you) I know you love me
(I want you) how could I disagree?
(So that's why) I make no protest
(When you say) you will do the rest
(Go west) life is peaceful there
(Go west) in the open air
(Go west) baby you and me
(Go west) this is our destiny (aah)
(Go west) sun in wintertime
(Go west) we will do just fine
(Go west) where the skies are blue
(Go west, this is what we're gonna do)
There where the air is free
We'll be (we'll be) what we want to be (ah, ah, ah, ah)
Now if we make a stand (ah)
We'll find (we'll find) our promised land (ah)
(I know that) there are many ways
(To live there) in the sun or shade
(Together) we will find a place
(To settle) where there's so much space
(Without rush) and the pace back east
(The hustling) rustling just to feed
(I know I'm) ready to leave too
(So that's what) we are gonna do
(What we're gonna do is)
(Go west) life is peaceful there
(Go west) there in the open air
(Go west) where the skies are blue
(Go west) this is what we're gonna do
(Life is peaceful there)
Go west (in the open air)
Go west (baby, you and me)
Go west (this is our destiny)
Come on, come on, come on, come on
(Go west) sun in wintertime
(Go west) we will feel just fine
(Go west) where the skies are blue
(Go west) this is what we're gonna do
(Come on, come on, come on)
(Go west)
(Go west)
(Go, ooh, go, yeah)
(Go west)
(Go, ooh, go, yeah)
(Go west)
(Go, ooh, go, yeah)
(Go west)
(Go, ooh, go, yeah)
(Do you feel it?)
The Pet Shop Boys song "Go West" is a joyful anthem about leaving the hustle and bustle of the city behind and finding a new life in the American West. It's a song about hope, optimism, and the power of love to conquer all.
The song's lyrics convey the message that life is better in the West, where the air is free and the skies are blue. The singer dreams of going to the West with his/her partner, where they will start a new life together, away from the stresses of the city. They will make plans, fly high, and tell their friends goodbye as they set off on their new adventure. Throughout the lyrics, the singer repeats the phrase "together," emphasizing the strength of their partnership in tacking a new life.
In the chorus, the singer declares their intention to "go west," stating that life is peaceful there, where they can be what they want to be. They will love the beach, learn and teach, change their pace, work and strive. The song reinforces the idea that in the West, they will find their promised land, where they can settle and thrive.
Line by Line Meaning
Come on, come on, come on, come on
Let's go! Let's go! Don't hesitate, let's go!
(Together) we will go our way
We'll embark on this journey together, side by side.
(Together) we will leave someday
We'll depart our current situation together and not look back.
(Together) your hand in my hands
We'll hold hands and face whatever is ahead of us, together.
(Together) we will make our plans
We'll work together to create a plan for our future.
(Together) we will fly so high
We'll soar to new heights together, without fear or hesitation.
(Together) tell all our friends goodbye
We'll say farewell to our old life and the people in it, as we embark on this new journey together.
(Together) we will start life new
We'll leave behind our old life and start fresh, together.
(Together) this is what we'll do
Together, we'll make a fresh start and take on the world.
(Go west) life is peaceful there
Moving to the western part of the country will provide us with a more calm and serene lifestyle.
(Go west) in the open air
We'll enjoy the natural environment and open spaces of the west.
(Go west) where the skies are blue
In the west, we'll experience clear skies and sunny days.
(Go west) this is what we're gonna do
Moving west is the change we're ready to make, and we're committed to it.
(Together) we will love the beach
Together, we'll explore and enjoy the beaches of the west.
(Together) we will learn and teach
We'll continue to learn and grow, and share our knowledge and experiences with each other.
(Together) change our pace of life
Together, we'll slow down and enjoy life at a different pace.
(Together) we will work and strive
We'll work hard to achieve our goals and make the most of our new life together.
(I love you) I know you love me
We love each other and have a strong, supportive bond.
(I want you) how could I disagree?
I want you too, and could never disagree about that.
(So that's why) I make no protest
I have no objections, since our love and bond is strong.
(When you say) you will do the rest
I trust you to take care of everything else, since we share a strong connection and work well together.
(Go west, this is what we're gonna do, go west)
Moving to the western part of the country is our dream, and we're making it a reality.
(Go west) baby you and me
Together, we'll make this journey to the west and start a new chapter in our lives.
(Go west) this is our destiny (aah)
Moving west has been fated, and we're embracing it as our destiny.
(Go west) sun in wintertime
We'll experience sunny days even in the midst of winter in the west.
(Go west) we will do just fine
We're optimistic about our move to the west, and believe we'll thrive there.
(Without rush) and the pace back east
In the west, we'll slow down and leave behind the fast-paced lifestyle we're used to in the east.
(The hustling) rustling just to feed
We'll leave behind the daily hustle and bustle of life in the east, where we often struggle just to get by.
(I know I'm) ready to leave too
I'm ready to start fresh and leave my old life behind, just like you.
(So that's what) we are gonna do
Moving to the west is the right decision for us, and we're committed to it.
(What we're gonna do is)
Our plan is to move to the west and start a new life, together.
(Go west) this is what we're gonna do
Moving to the west is our next step, and we're excited about the possibilities it holds for us.
(Life is peaceful there)
In the west, life is less hectic and more relaxing.
Go west (in the open air)
In the west, we'll have plenty of space and fresh air to breathe.
Go west (baby, you and me)
We'll make this journey together, united by our love and commitment to each other.
Go west (this is our destiny)
The decision to move west has come from fate, and we're embracing it as our destiny.
(Come on, come on, come on, come on)
Let's not hesitate; let's make this move to the west as soon as possible.
(Go west) sun in wintertime
Even in the colder months, we'll have sunny days and a bright outlook in the west.
(Go west) we will feel just fine
We're confident that moving to the west will be a positive change for us, mentally and emotionally.
(Go west, this is what we're gonna do)
Moving to the west is our next major move, and we're committed to making it happen.
(Do you feel it?)
Can you sense the excitement and anticipation we feel for our future in the west?
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sentric Music, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Henri Belolo, Jacques Morali, Victor Edward Willis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lugergr
We will go our way
(Together) We will leave someday
(Together) Your hand in my hand
(Together) We will make our plans
(Together) We will fly so high
(Together) Tell all our friends good-bye
(Together) We will start life new
(Together) This is what we'll do
Life is peaceful there
(Go West) In the open air
(Go West) Where the skies are blue
(Go West) This is what we're gonna do
We will love the beach
(Together) We will learn and teach
(Together) Change our pace of life
(Together) We will work and strive
(I love you) I know you love me
(I want you) How could I disagree?
(So that's why) I make no protest
(When you say) You will do the rest
Life is peaceful there
(Go West) In the open air
(Go West) Baby you and me
(Go West) This is our destiny
(Go West) Sun in wintertime
(Go West) We will do just fine
(Go West) Where the skies are blue
(Go West, this is what we're gonna do)
There where the air is free
We'll be (We'll be) what we want to be
Now if we make a stand
We'll find (We'll find) our promised land
There are many ways
(To live there) In the sun or shade
(Together) We will find a place
(To settle) Where there's so much space
(Without rush) And the pace back East
(The hustling) Rustling just to feed
(I know I'm) Ready to leave too
(So that's what) We are gonna do
(What we're gonna do is
Go West) Life is peaceful there
(Go West) There in the open air
(Go West) Where the skies are blue
(Go West) This is what we're gonna do
(Life is peaceful there) Go West
(In the open air) Go West
(Baby, you and me) Go West
(This is our destiny)
Come on, come on, come on, come on
Sun in wintertime
(Go West) We will feel just fine
(Go West) Where the skies are blue
(Go West) This is what we're gonna do
(Come on, come on, come on, come on)
(Go West)
@ImmortalAliens
Come on, come on, come on, come on
(Together) We will go our way
(Together) We will leave someday
(Together) Your hand in my hands
(Together) We will make our plans
(Together) We will fly so high
(Together) Tell all our friends goodbye
(Together) We will start life new
(Together) This is what we'll do
(Go West) Life is peaceful there
(Go West) In the open air
(Go West) Where the skies are blue
(Go West) This is what we're gonna do
(Go West, this is what we're gonna do, Go West)
(Together) We will love the beach
(Together) We will learn and teach
(Together) Change our pace of life
(Together) We will work and strive
(I love you) I know you love me
(I want you) How could I disagree?
(So that's why) I make no protest
(When you say) You will do the rest
(Go West) Life is peaceful there
(Go West) In the open air
(Go West) Baby you and me
(Go West) This is our destiny (Aah)
(Go West) Sun in wintertime
(Go West) We will do just fine
(Go West) Where the skies are blue
(Go West, this is what we're gonna do)
There where the air is free
We'll be (We'll be) what we want to be (Aah aah aah aah)
Now if we make a stand (Aah)
We'll find (We'll find) our promised land (Aah)
(I know that) There are many ways
(To live there) In the sun or shade
(Together) We will find a place
(To settle) Where there's so much space
(Without rush) And the pace back east
(The hustling) Rustling just to feed
(I know I'm) Ready to leave too
(So that's what) We are gonna do
(What we're gonna do is
Go West) Life is peaceful there
(Go West) There in the open air
(Go West) Where the skies are blue
(Go West) This is what we're gonna do
(Life is peaceful there)
Go West (In the open air)
Go West (Baby, you and me)
Go West (This is our destiny)
Come on, come on, come on, come on
(Go West) Sun in wintertime
(Go West) We will feel just fine
(Go West) Where the skies are blue
(Go West) This is what we're gonna do
(Come on, come on, come on)
(Go West)
(Go West)
(Go, ooh, go, yeah)
(Go West)
(Go, ooh, go, yeah)
(Go West)
(Go, ooh, go, yeah)
(Go West)
(Go, ooh, go, yeah)
(Gimme a feelin')
(Gimme a feelin')
(Go West)
(Gimme a feelin')
(Gimme a feelin')
(Go West)
(Gimme a feelin')
(Gimme a feelin')
@laridoesart
I saw this video on TV when I was 7 years old (I'm 37). For years and years I tried searching for the song with what I had on my memory, with no luck. Until I thought "singing" it to the Google Assistant. And finally I found it! Imagine 30 years searching for a song that touched your heart when you were just 7 years old.
@jayhill2193
although I'm 15 years younger than you, I know exactly what you mean. Quite amazing what google's algorithms can make out from the faintest resemblance off an old memory.
@agustinsanchez9763
Esta la canto Village People 1979 original grupo
@salonsarwar4557
🖖
@gabrielv.4358
Congratulations my friend! I know the feeling! I had a similar story with a song stuck for 7 years in my head too
@KrTchy
Same here, but I was younger than you and I remembered only for a yellow and a blue guy.. nothing else😅
@Sam4G0d
This song is an anthem - and Pet Shop Boys are legends.
@Mr.Z1989
Its actually an alternate version of the USSR Anthem.😂
@user-pl5vk1vj5t
@@Mr.Z1989, plz, shut up ur mouth. U're don't know anything about USSR! It's much better than usa
@A.B.H.
This is The King of All Songs.
Endless thanks to The King.