Yo! So as Izzy pointed out, I actually haven't finished Disco yet; I still need to react to the Shep Pettibone remix of "West End Girls." So that will come soon. Cheers.
Neil. The lyric is about this friend of mine who was diagnosed with having Aids. In the first verse we are all teenagers in Newcastle in the whole glam period, and the song describes the Newcastle scene: 'in six-inch heels quoting magazines' - we'd always buy Harpers & Queen. We were all very ambitious. 'Who do you think you are?' refers to the idea that gay people were too public...And then Aids comes along. I remember my friend and I discussing Aids, and how people said it wasn't going to develop in England like it had in America. We said it couldn't happen here.
The band worked with Ennio Morricone for this track, who was originally called upon to work on 'Jealousy'. He wasn't into working on that song, but instead wanted to work on something new. Angelo Badalamenti did the string arrangement, but due to miscommunication, there was no orchestra booked to record the score, so the arrangement was done using a Fairlight synthesizer.
I wasn't really old enough to understand the significance of the lyrics when this album was released, but listening to it again with the knowledge of what was happening at that time to people literally just 4 or 5 years older than me.
Not much to add here as Izzy has covered most of it. It was co-written with Ennio Morricone, and Angelo Badalamanti (Twin Peaks) arranged it but it was not a real orchestra it was done on a Fairlight using orchestral samples. The lyrics refer to a friend of Neil's who contracted AIDS so there is some autobiography in the first verse, then a verse about attitudes to gay people at the time, then how gay men, including his friend, thought that it wouldn't spread here from the US. Hence the sombre tone of the track.
"We've found ourselves back where we started from." Then and now. Bigotry, fear, lack of empathy, ignorance and stupidity. I'm not going to start off on a total rant, but when conspiracy theories run rampant, egged on by our own political and religious leaders, it's hard to hold back. Ronnie back then, and now... But back to the song! I love this one so much. Still that strong percussion at the beginning and end, as well as the middle of the track. But then it becomes this epic, sweeping, stately, elegant orchestral piece. It's just a gorgeous, emotional track. Classical and a classic. And it's something PSB do quite well.
They chose this song as the title of their surreal, semi-auto biographical movie that was released in 1987/88 (Always On My Mind , the Elvis cover, was chosen as the lead single). The movie came about because the UK Arts scene documentary show "The South Bank Show" wanted to interview PSB and delve into their work, but they decided (possibly because they were sort of 'in the closet' ?) To do a set of videos set to their songs, but this expanded into what became a limited released cinema movie. Not a hit , as it was just too surreal for pop fans, but I loved it
Written about the onset of the AIDS crisis in early 80s Britain. Written from the lov of Neil and his friends saying "It Could Happen Here" .....and then it did" quite from Neil Tennent
I love psb’s moody and melancholy songs much more than their lively dance songs. This might be their finest composition. The string arrangement is very classical and features some wonderful chord progressions.
Very sad song about the UK gay scene's attitude to the AIDS crisis in the States. It was about the period just before I went on the scene (my era as a clubber was the same time as TV series "It's A Sin") , and I recall a documentary on TV about AIDS in the USA, probably around 83 or 84, and interviewed a gay man in the UK who wouldn't change his behaviour or take precautions as he didn't think it was something that would effect him, and at that time was perceived as a rumour to try and impede gay rights and freedom rather than a disease. The gutter press called it "Gay Plague" in the States it was "Gay Cancer" I was so frightened.
Oh snap, so the song "It's a Sin" (which my reaction to is coming in the next few minutes) is taken from a TV show? And man, that is a complicated and dark history, certainly. That said, it feels like far-right anger and intolerance toward LGBTQ folk in the US has returned to or even surpassed that '80s bigotry in the last couple years (especially toward trans folk in particular). Indeed, I can't even imagine what it would be like to be in the crosshairs of hateful people like that. Just another reminder why vulnerable folks need allies, resources, and platforms when facing such bigotry. I'm personally insulated by my multifaceted privilege but try to avoid letting that blind me to pressures and oppression facing those outside my own experience.
Hahaha, she is getting more and more vocal lately---she knows I'm powerless in the face of her meows and purring---so perhaps I'll put her to work in exchange for more treats. :)
Yo! So as Izzy pointed out, I actually haven't finished Disco yet; I still need to react to the Shep Pettibone remix of "West End Girls." So that will come soon. Cheers.
Oh, someone disliked this one. If it's because I misspoke about the song, or because I forgot to go back to Disco first, my bad.
Neil.
The lyric is about this friend of mine who was diagnosed with having Aids. In the first verse we are all teenagers in Newcastle in the whole glam period, and the song describes the Newcastle scene: 'in six-inch heels quoting magazines' - we'd always buy Harpers & Queen. We were all very ambitious. 'Who do you think you are?' refers to the idea that gay people were too public...And then Aids comes along. I remember my friend and I discussing Aids, and how people said it wasn't going to develop in England like it had in America. We said it couldn't happen here.
Such a majestic song.
The band worked with Ennio Morricone for this track, who was originally called upon to work on 'Jealousy'. He wasn't into working on that song, but instead wanted to work on something new.
Angelo Badalamenti did the string arrangement, but due to miscommunication, there was no orchestra booked to record the score, so the arrangement was done using a Fairlight synthesizer.
I wasn't really old enough to understand the significance of the lyrics when this album was released, but listening to it again with the knowledge of what was happening at that time to people literally just 4 or 5 years older than me.
Beatiful and nostalgic.
Not much to add here as Izzy has covered most of it. It was co-written with Ennio Morricone, and Angelo Badalamanti (Twin Peaks) arranged it but it was not a real orchestra it was done on a Fairlight using orchestral samples. The lyrics refer to a friend of Neil's who contracted AIDS so there is some autobiography in the first verse, then a verse about attitudes to gay people at the time, then how gay men, including his friend, thought that it wouldn't spread here from the US. Hence the sombre tone of the track.
"We've found ourselves back where we started from." Then and now. Bigotry, fear, lack of empathy, ignorance and stupidity. I'm not going to start off on a total rant, but when conspiracy theories run rampant, egged on by our own political and religious leaders, it's hard to hold back. Ronnie back then, and now...
But back to the song! I love this one so much. Still that strong percussion at the beginning and end, as well as the middle of the track. But then it becomes this epic, sweeping, stately, elegant orchestral piece. It's just a gorgeous, emotional track. Classical and a classic. And it's something PSB do quite well.
They chose this song as the title of their surreal, semi-auto biographical movie that was released in 1987/88 (Always On My Mind , the Elvis cover, was chosen as the lead single).
The movie came about because the UK Arts scene documentary show "The South Bank Show" wanted to interview PSB and delve into their work, but they decided (possibly because they were sort of 'in the closet' ?) To do a set of videos set to their songs, but this expanded into what became a limited released cinema movie.
Not a hit , as it was just too surreal for pop fans, but I loved it
Yes, it's surreal, weird and the storyline is a bit messy, but I love it too. "It's only a laugh, no harm done!" 😃
@@0504Revati oh I love the film
Written about the onset of the AIDS crisis in early 80s Britain. Written from the lov of Neil and his friends saying "It Could Happen Here" .....and then it did" quite from Neil Tennent
I love psb’s moody and melancholy songs much more than their lively dance songs. This might be their finest composition. The string arrangement is very classical and features some wonderful chord progressions.
Magical❤
Very sad song about the UK gay scene's attitude to the AIDS crisis in the States.
It was about the period just before I went on the scene (my era as a clubber was the same time as TV series "It's A Sin") , and I recall a documentary on TV about AIDS in the USA, probably around 83 or 84, and interviewed a gay man in the UK who wouldn't change his behaviour or take precautions as he didn't think it was something that would effect him, and at that time was perceived as a rumour to try and impede gay rights and freedom rather than a disease. The gutter press called it "Gay Plague" in the States it was "Gay Cancer"
I was so frightened.
Oh snap, so the song "It's a Sin" (which my reaction to is coming in the next few minutes) is taken from a TV show?
And man, that is a complicated and dark history, certainly. That said, it feels like far-right anger and intolerance toward LGBTQ folk in the US has returned to or even surpassed that '80s bigotry in the last couple years (especially toward trans folk in particular). Indeed, I can't even imagine what it would be like to be in the crosshairs of hateful people like that. Just another reminder why vulnerable folks need allies, resources, and platforms when facing such bigotry. I'm personally insulated by my multifaceted privilege but try to avoid letting that blind me to pressures and oppression facing those outside my own experience.
@@mattsnider2667 the TV show was taken from and relates to the song, and was set around the time the song was written and released.
Lol, mislabeled my last video upload but the real reaction to "It's a Sin" is coming, I promise. Sigh, I need a (live-in, unpaid) intern...
@@mattsnider2667 you need to train up Luca...
... play time is over kid !
Hahaha, she is getting more and more vocal lately---she knows I'm powerless in the face of her meows and purring---so perhaps I'll put her to work in exchange for more treats. :)
You haven't finished "Disco", you still haven't done "West End Girls" Shep Pettibone remix
(The best one on the album IMHO)
Oh snap, you're right! Sorry, I downloaded it in preparation, so then last night I thought I had already reacted to it. Will get to it ASAP.
Real orchestra not synths
Gotcha, didn't realize they had that extensive production at this early stage!
So long as your real orchestra looks suspiciously like a Fairlight.
ruclips.net/video/WQ0XRksZ4N8/видео.html
@@kevinrice70 that's cool, however for this PSB track it was an orchestra