Post-modern ironists cloaked behind a veil of buoyantly melodic and lushly romantic synth pop confections, Pet Shop Boys offer wry yet strangely affecting cultural commentary communicated by the Morse code of synth washes and drum machine rhythms. After first emerging in the mid-'80s with "West End Girls" and "Opportunities (Let's Make Lots of Money)," Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe quickly established themselves as hitmaking singles artists who were also able to craft emotionally resonant albums, like 1988's Introspective and 1990's Behaviour. The duo navigated the constantly shifting landscape of modern dance-pop with grace and intelligence, moving easily from disco to house music to thoughtful synth pop without losing their distinctive style in the process. Continuing to evolve artistically, Pet Shop Boys incorporated Latin music on 1996's Bilingual, expanded into theater and ballet, and morphed into elder statesmen of electronic pop, still able to release interesting albums after more than 30 years, as evidenced by highlights like 2016's Super and 2020's Hotspot.
Pet Shop Boys formed in London in August 1981, when vocalist Tennant (a former editor at Marvel Comics who later gained recognition as a journalist for Smash Hits magazine) first met keyboardist Lowe (a onetime architecture student) at an electronics shop. Discovering a shared passion for dance music and synthesizers, they immediately decided to start a band. After dubbing themselves Pet Shop Boys in honor of friends who worked in such an establishment -- while also obliquely nodding to the sort of names prevalent among the New York City hip-hop culture of the early '80s -- the duo's career first took flight in 1983, when Tennant met producer Bobby "O" Orlando while on a writing assignment. Orlando produced their first single, 1984's "West End Girls." The song was a minor hit in the U.S. but went nowhere in Britain, and its follow-up, "One More Chance," was also unsuccessful.
Upon signing to EMI, Pet Shop Boys issued 1985's biting "Opportunities (Let's Make Lots of Money)." When it too failed to attract attention, the duo's future appeared grim, but Tennant and Lowe then released an evocative new Stephen Hague production of "West End Girls," which became an international chart-topper. Its massive success propelled Pet Shop Boys' 1986 debut LP, Please, into the Top Ten, and when "Opportunities" was subsequently reissued, it too became a hit. Disco, a collection of dance remixes, was quickly rushed into stores, and in 1987 the duo resurfaced with the superb Actually, which launched two more Top Ten smashes -- "It's a Sin" and "What Have I Done to Deserve This?," a duet between Tennant and the great Dusty Springfield. Later that year, "Always on My Mind," a lovely cover of the perennial Elvis Presley standard, reached number one in several countries and the Top Ten in the U.S. A documentary film titled It Couldn't Happen Here was released one year later.
In October 1988, Pet Shop Boys issued their third studio LP, the eclectic Introspective. "Domino Dancing" and "Left to My Own Devices" both reached the Top Ten in Great Britain. The following year, Pet Shop Boys collaborated with a variety of performers, most notably Liza Minnelli, for whom they produced the 1989 LP Results. They also produced material for Springfield, and Tennant joined New Order frontman Bernard Sumner and ex-Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr in the group Electronic, scoring a hit with the single "Getting Away with It." Tennant and Lowe reconvened in 1990 for the muted, downcast Behavior, produced by Harold Faltermeyer. Their hit medley of U2's "Where the Streets Have No Name" and Frankie Valli's "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" was released in 1991, and was followed in 1993 by Very, lauded as one of the duo's finest efforts.
After a three-year absence, Pet Shop Boys resurfaced with Bilingual, a fluid expansion into Latin rhythms. Nightlife followed in 1999 and sparked the dance club hit "New York City Boy," whose success allowed the group to tour the U.S. for the first time in eight years. While on tour, the pair also collaborated with playwright Jonathan Harvey on a musical surrounding gay life and societal criticisms, which the three had been planning since 1997. Closer to Heaven made its West End debut in 2001 and had a successful run for most of the year; Pet Shop Boys' score of the original cast recording was also a hit in the U.K. They still had time to make a record for themselves, too: In April 2002, Tennant and Lowe issued Release and Disco 3 was compiled for release the following year.
Pet Shop Boys continued releasing material throughout the decade's latter half. In 2005, they put together a volume of the Back to Mine series and released their music designed to accompany the 1925 silent film Battleship Potemkin, a soundtrack they'd performed a year earlier at a free concert/screening in Trafalgar Square. A year later, they issued Fundamental, a mature, sometimes political album produced by Trevor Horn. The live album Concrete: In Concert at the Mermaid Theatre appeared at the end of the year, and Yes -- a collaborative effort with the production crew Xenomania -- marked the band's tenth studio effort in March 2009. While playing shows in support of that album, Pet Shop Boys also released a hits compilation, Party, to coincide with the Brazilian leg of their tour. In 2010, the tour was documented on the CD/DVD release Pandemonium, and another greatest-hits compilation, Ultimate, arrived.
Their 2011 effort, The Most Incredible Thing, was a two-disc ballet score composed for the Sadler's Wells Theatre in London, while 2012's Format rounded up the duo's B-sides and bonus tracks from the years 1996-2009. Also in 2012, Pet Shop Boys released the sports-themed single "Winner" and performed the track at the 2012 Olympics Summer Games, held that year in their hometown of London. The track landed on that year's album Elysium, which was produced by Kanye West affiliate Andrew Dawson. Stuart Price (Madonna, Seal, Kylie Minogue) was the producer of 2013's Electric, an album that featured no ballads, just dance tracks.
In May 2014, the duo announced more original music, this time with a concert piece scheduled for a July date at Royal Albert Hall commemorating British code breaker Alan Turing and including the BBC Concert Orchestra. Price returned as producer of 2016's Super, the second album in a row where Pet Shop Boys were "electronic purists," meaning no guitars, no orchestral support, and no organic instruments. The following year saw the band issue the Undertow EP, which featured two remixes of Super's "Undertow," a remix of "Burn," and a new version of "Left to My Own Devices," produced by Stuart Price. They were also awarded the Godlike Genius Award by NME.
The duo issued the Agenda EP in early 2019, and the live album CD/DVD/Blu-ray release Inner Sanctum appeared in April; it was recorded during Pet Shop Boys' four-day residency in July 2018 at the Royal Opera House in London. Later in the year, they started issuing songs from their next long-player, including "Dreamland," a collaboration with Years & Years, and "Burning the Heather," which featured Suede's Bernard Butler on guitar. The album, titled Hotspot, arrived in January 2020 and was their third LP to be produced by Price. Discovery (Live in Rio), a concert originally issued on video in 1995, was issued on DVD and CD for the first time in 2021. The duo also released a nearly ten-minute classical-inspired single titled "Cricket Wife."
In May 2022 Pet Shop and British pop duo Soft Cell released the album *Happiness Not Included - Soft Cell first studio album in nearly two decades. The colab included the song “Purple Zone”, blending the best of both Soft Cell and Pet Shop Boys, layering a dazzling synth riff and dance floor-ready beat with anthemic vocals. Appropriately for the pandemics, the track laments feeling stuck in the monotony of everyday mundanities: “Let’s get out of this life/ I’m afraid and alone,” goes the chorus. Paralyzed in the purple zone.”
Their much-anticipated “Unity Tour” of North America alongside New Order, rescheduled twice following pandemics delays, kicked off in Fall 2022 and included several venues in Canada and the United States, featuring Paul Oakenfold as special guest DJ.
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Love Etc.
Pet Shop Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You need more,you need more,you need more,
You need more,you need more,you need more)
Boy it's tough getting on in the world
When the sun doesn't shine and a boy needs a girl
It's about getting out of a rut, you need luck
And your stuck and don't know how (oh)
(don't have to be) A big bucks Hollywood star
(don't have to drive)A super car to get far
(don't have to live)A life of power and wealth
(don't have to be) beautiful but it helps
(don't have to buy)A house in Beverly hills
(don't have to have)your daddy paying the bills
(don't have to live)A life of power and wealth
(don't have to be) beautiful but it helps
You need more than a big blank check to be a lover,or
A gulf stream jet to fly you door to door
Somewhere chic on another shore
You need more you need more you need more you need more you need more you need more
You need love you need love you need love
Too much of anything is never enough
Too much of everything is never enough
Boy it's tough getting on in the world
When the sun doesn't shine and a boy needs a girl
It's about getting out of a rut, you need luck
And your stuck and don't know how (oh)
(don't have to be) A big bucks Hollywood star
(don't have to drive)A super car to get far
(don't have to wear)A smile much colder than ice
(don't have to be beautiful but it's nice
You need more than Gerhard Richter hangin' on your wall
A chauffeur-driven limousine on call
To drive your wife and lover to a white tie ball
(you need more, you need more, you need more,
You need more,you need more,you need more) you need love
I believe that we can achieve the love that we need
I believe, call me naive
Love is for free
(don't have to be) A big bucks Hollywood star
(don't have to drive)A super car to get far
(don't have to live)A life of power and wealth
(don't have to be) beautiful but it helps
Beautiful that it helps
Beautiful that it helps
The Pet Shop Boys' song "Love etc." is a reflection on the complexity of modern-day relationships. The opening lines, "You need more, you need more, you need more" set the tone for the rest of the song – a message that love requires more than just material possessions. In the context of the song, "more" refers to the intangible factors that make a relationship work – honesty, trust, and communication. The chorus reinforces this message, reminding us that "too much of anything is never enough," and that love requires more than simply physical attraction and financial stability.
The verses of the song provide further commentary on the illusory nature of fame and money. The lines "you don't have to be a big bucks Hollywood star/don't have to live a life of power and wealth" suggest that these things are not necessary for a fulfilling life. The lyrics also remind us that material possessions are not a substitute for genuine affection – even if you have a mansion in Beverly Hills, this doesn't guarantee happiness.
Overall, the song challenges us to think about what we really need in relationships – and suggests that the answer is more complex than we might think. The Pet Shop Boys use catchy melodies and witty lyrics to deliver this important message, ultimately leaving us with the impression that love, despite its challenges, is worth pursuing.
Line by Line Meaning
(you need more, you need more, you need more,
You need more,you need more,you need more,
You need more,you need more,you need more)
Repeated statement that the singer needs more than what they currently have in life.
Boy it's tough getting on in the world
When the sun doesn't shine and a boy needs a girl
It's about getting out of a rut, you need luck
And your stuck and don't know how (oh)
Life is difficult when things aren't going right and the singer is looking for a way to break out of their stagnation.
(don't have to be) A big bucks Hollywood star
(don't have to drive)A super car to get far
(don't have to live)A life of power and wealth
(don't have to be) beautiful but it helps
(don't have to buy)A house in Beverly hills
(don't have to have)your daddy paying the bills
(don't have to live)A life of power and wealth
(don't have to be) beautiful but it helps
A list of things that the singer doesn't need to be or have in order to be successful or find love.
You need more than a big blank check to be a lover,or
A gulf stream jet to fly you door to door
Somewhere chic on another shore
You need more you need more you need more you need more you need more you need more
You need love you need love you need love
Too much of anything is never enough
Too much of everything is never enough
Love and experiences are more important than money and material possessions.
(don't have to wear)A smile much colder than ice
(don't have to be beautiful but it's nice
The artist doesn't need to have a fake, cold smile or be conventionally attractive, but it can be advantageous.
You need more than Gerhard Richter hangin' on your wall
A chauffeur-driven limousine on call
To drive your wife and lover to a white tie ball
The singer needs more than expensive art and luxury cars to truly fulfill their life.
(you need more, you need more, you need more,
You need more,you need more,you need more) you need love
I believe that we can achieve the love that we need
I believe, call me naive
Love is for free
Reiteration that what the singer truly needs is love and believes that it can be achieved without all the material possessions society deems necessary.
Beautiful that it helps
Being beautiful isn't necessary to find success or love, but it can be beneficial.
Lyrics © Iricom US Ltd, Peermusic Publishing, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: NEIL TENNANT, CHRIS LOWE, TIM POWELL, OWEN PARKER, MIRANDA COOPER, BRIAN HIGGINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Splash
ove etc. Lyrics
[Intro]
You need more
You need more
You need more
You need more
You need more
You need more
You need more
You need more
You need more
[Verse 1]
Boy, it's tough getting on in the world
When the sun doesn't shine
And a boy needs a girl
It's about getting out of a rut
You need luck
But you're stuck and you don't know how
[Chorus 1]
(Don't have to be)
A big bucks Hollywood star
(Don't have to drive)
A super car to get far
(Don't have to live)
A life of power and wealth
(Don't have to be)
Beautiful but it helps
(Don't have to buy)
A house in Beverly Hills
(Don't have to have)
Your daddy paying the bills
(Don't have to live)
A life of power and wealth
(Don't have to be)
Beautiful but it helps
[Post-Chorus 1]
You need more
Than a big blank check to be a lover, or
A Gulfstream jet to fly you door to door
Somewhere chic on another shore
You need more
You need more
You need more
You need more
You need more
You need more
You need love
[Interlude]
You need love
You need love
Too much of anything is never enough
Too much of everything is never enough
[Verse 2]
Boy, it's tough getting on in the world
When the sun doesn't shine
And a boy needs a girl
It's about getting out of a rut
You need luck but you're stuck
And you don't know how
[Chorus 2]
(Don't have to be)
A big bucks Hollywood star
(Don't have to drive)
A super car to get far
(Don't have to wear)
A smile much colder than ice
(Don't have to be)
Beautiful, but it's nice
[Post-Chorus 2]
You need more
Than the Gerhard Richter hanging on your wall
A chauffeur driven limousine on call
To drive your wife and lover to a white tie ball
You need more
You need more
You need more
You need more
You need more
You need more
You need love
I believe
(You need more)
(You need more)
(You need more)
(You need more)
That we can achieve
(You need more)
(You need more)
(You need more)
(You need more)
The love that we need
(You need more)
(You need more)
(You need more)
(You need more)
I believe
(You need more)
(You need more)
(You need more)
(You need more)
Call me naive
(You need more)
(You need more)
(You need more)
(You need more)
That love is for free
(You need more)
[Chorus 3]
(Don't have to be)
A big bucks Hollywood star
(Don't have to drive)
A super car to go far
(Don't have to live)
A life of power and wealth
(Don't have to be)
Beautiful but it helps
[Outro]
Beautiful but it helps
Beautiful but it helps
Mat Salleh TV
Love the creativity in this video.
Kelly Bustos O.
Mat Salleh TV yes !!!!
tinfoilhatter
YOU NEED MORE, YOU NEED MORE, YOU NEED MORE, YOU NEED MORE.....Y'NEED LOOOOOOOOOOVE!
Jul But
It's meant to be watched with the magic eye.
tinfoilhatter
@Jul But y'need more, y'need more, y'need more..........
Lucre Denouncer
This song is criminally underrated. It should be a classic by now. It is for me, at least
Adren Jones
Its 11 years old by now. Its a classic alright and i feel incredible old.
Jason May • Bitcoin
MaybePotatoes Yes but 13.5 Million views is not bad... I working crazy hard on my tracks and videos and it coming not to 100K or even 10 🧐
davidfromlille
13 522 253 views. The audience is the most important
Klodian Fisheku
For sure mate people can't understand songs with meaning.