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.
http://petshopboys.co.uk
Monkey Business
Pet Shop Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just playing around
I'm here on monkey business (monkey business)
And look what I found (look what I found)
Everybody get on board
I'm back in town (monkey business)
And I'm not leaving
People tell me I'm a legend
Round these parts
I stop the party
And I end up breaking hearts
Bring me margaritas
Champagne and red wine
We're gonna have a party
Where we all cross the line
I'm looking for monkey business (monkey business)
Just playing around (just playing around)
I'm here on monkey business (monkey business)
And look what I found (look what I found)
I'm not dealing with the real world
Anymore
Been there, done that, came back
And I know the score
Flew in from the city
Just got into town
Checked into a new place
I can't seem to settle down
I'm looking for monkey business (monkey business)
Just playing around (just playing around)
I'm here on monkey business (monkey business)
And look what I found (look what I found)
I'm here on funky business
Just playing around
I'm here on funky business
Look what I found
There are diamonds in the sky
That shine all day
Gonna pick them one by one
I guarantee
(I'm looking for monkey business)
(Just playing around)
(I'm here on monkey business)
(Look what I found, just playing around)
Hanging from the rafters
I'm a chimpanzee
What I do for afters
You'll just have to wait and see
I'm looking for monkey business (monkey business)
Just playing around (look what I found)
Bring me margaritas
Champagne and red wine
We're gonna to have a party
Where we all cross the line
I'm looking for monkey business (monkey business)
Just playing around (look what I found)
I'm here on monkey business (monkey business)
And look what I found (look what I found, monkey business)
Entered by the back door
Straight into the bar
Checking out the dance floor
Well I like who you are
I'm looking for monkey business (monkey business)
Just playing around (monkey business)
The lyrics to Pet Shop Boys' song "Monkey Business" describe a carefree attitude towards life and the desire to let loose and have fun. The singer is in search of "monkey business," which he describes as "just playing around." He is not interested in dealing with the "real world" and instead wants to escape into a world of drinking and partying. Despite being seen as a legend in the area, he still feels unsettled and cannot seem to "settle down."
The lyrics suggest a nostalgic longing for a simpler time, when life was less complicated and responsibilities were fewer. The singer is looking for a break from reality and an opportunity to let loose and enjoy himself. He wants to surround himself with good company and enjoy the simple pleasures of life, such as drinking margaritas, champagne, and red wine.
Overall, the song expresses the desire to escape the stresses of life and indulge in a carefree and playful lifestyle. It emphasizes the importance of living in the moment and enjoying life while it lasts.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm looking for monkey business (monkey business)
I'm searching for some fun and mischief
Just playing around
Not taking things too seriously
I'm here on monkey business (monkey business)
I'm here to engage in some mischief
And look what I found (look what I found)
I found something interesting while searching for fun
Everybody get on board
Let's all have some fun together
I'm back in town (monkey business)
I'm back to engage in some mischief
And I'm not leaving
I plan to stay and have fun for a while
'Til the last joint has shut down
I'm going to keep having fun until the party is over
People tell me I'm a legend
People view me as someone who knows how to have a good time
Round these parts
In this specific location
I stop the party
I'm the one who gets the party started and keeps it going
And I end up breaking hearts
My carefree attitude and willingness to have fun can result in romantic disappointment for others
Bring me margaritas
I want to indulge in some alcoholic beverages
Champagne and red wine
Other types of drinks I want
We're gonna have a party
Let's get together and have a good time
Where we all cross the line
We're going to engage in activities that might be considered risky or taboo
I'm not dealing with the real world
I don't want to focus on the serious aspects of life
Anymore
I used to, but not anymore
Been there, done that, came back
I've experienced the real world before and didn't like it, so I've returned to my carefree ways
And I know the score
I'm aware of the consequences of my actions
Flew in from the city
I came from an urban area
Just got into town
I'm new here
Checked into a new place
I've found a new location to stay
I can't seem to settle down
I'm restless and want to keep moving or engaging in fun activities
I'm here on funky business
I'm here to have some fun and engage in some mischief
There are diamonds in the sky
There are many opportunities for me to have fun and be adventurous
That shine all day
These opportunities are always present
Gonna pick them one by one
I plan to take advantage of these opportunities
I guarantee
I'm confident that I'll have a good time
Hanging from the rafters
I'm letting loose and having fun
I'm a chimpanzee
I'm acting wild and silly like a monkey or chimpanzee
What I do for afters
What I do after the party is over
You'll just have to wait and see
I'm not sure what I'll do next, but it will be exciting
Entered by the back door
I snuck in without being noticed
Straight into the bar
I went directly to the party spot
Checking out the dance floor
Observing the environment and looking for fun activities
Well I like who you are
I'm enjoying the people and the atmosphere
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Chris Lowe, Neil Francis Tennant, Stuart David Price
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
cincocats320
"I'm not dealing with the real world anymore" perfectly captures the mood right now. Neil's voice is freaking timeless.
Bill Green
I'm 70 years old and have been a huge fan of the Pet Shop Boys since West End Girls. They have never lost the ability to write some of the greatest tunes and lyrics in pop! Like me they are ageing but they are still so amazingly cool . . . unlike me! :-) This is SUCH a brilliant video too. I still love everything about the Pet Shop Boys, one of the best bands of all time.
DC
my mom's in her 70s and loves the newwave from the 80s. PSP, T-Twins and others... her reason, the music to her is upbeat and happy, like when she first heard the Beatles. So I think it takes her back to her early teen years. Whenever my cassettes went missing when i was a kid, I knew to look in her car
Bill Green
@DC That's a great story DC. I have a lot in common with your mom, I loved The Beatles too and feel so blessed to have grown up in those times.
Fran lopez
Le admiro con su comentario yo tengo 52 años y los sigo desde que empezaron ,1984 ( 13 años tenía yo) un saludo y enhorabuena por sen tan fan es de admirar saludos desde LAS PALMAS DE GRAN CANARIA.
Bill Green
@Fran lopez Muchas gracias. Saludos desde Australia. He estado en Gran Canaria, un lugar precioso.
Fran lopez
Me alegro,Australia lo he visto en diferentes documentales es precioso ( sobre todo he visto la playa de Bondi? De un documental de un veterinario
Martin Wedge
How can they still be so cool after thirty five years? Easy, they’re the Pet Shop Boys!!!
Eduardo Ledesma
Genio 😍👍🇺🇾
RockstahRolln
This is such a catchy song!! Amazing choon by PSB!! Im thrilled to see them back, I love Neil's voice!