This month saw iconic 80s synth-pop masters the Pet Shop Boys release more from their Further Listening series; Introspective: Further Listening 1988 - 1989, Actually: Further Listening 1987 - 1988, and Please: Further Listening 1984 - 1986 which include extended and unreleased remixes plus newly remastered original album tracks. They're also now available on vinyl too!
We thought we'd take a look at some of their quirky collaborations through the years, some are pretty unexpected given the diverse genre's associated with these acts typically!
What Have I Done To Deserve This
Their biggest hit collaboration with 60s soul-pop sensation Dusty Springfield. This song topped the charts in 1987 and helped to cause a resurged interest in Dusty. They teamed up again to collaborate on Dusty's album Reputation in 1990. At the 2009 Brit Music Awards where Pet Shop Boys received an award for Oustanding Contribution To Music, they performed the song with Lady Gaga.
Losing My Mind
Queen of cabaret Liza Minnelli featured on the Stephen Sondheim cover of "Losing My Mind" which ended up being a top 10 hit for Pet Shop Boys. Here they are performing it live on the Terry Wogan Show in the UK in 1989.
I'm Not Scared
This song was co-written and produced by Neil and Chris of Pet Shop Boys for British band Eight Wonder who scored their only charting hit with it. Eight Wonder was fronted by Patsy Kensit who later married Jim Kerr of Simple Minds, and then Liam Gallagher of Oasis. Pet Shop Boys later recorded their own version of the song for their album Introspective.
Absolutely Fabulous
Classic TV show featuring the comedic gold of characters Eddie and Patsy (Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley) sparked the charity single release of this Pet Shop Boys track.
The Crying Game
Boy George re-worked this Pet Shop Boys theme song from the movie of the same name. It was originally a hit in the 1960s for Dave Berry. As the film began to rack up multiple award show nominations in 1993, Boy’s cover version became a bigger hit in the USA than anywhere else.
In Denial
A duet featuring Kylie Minogue and on their 1999 album Nightlife. It was seen as a risk by critics because this project came at a time when Kylie was experiencing low record sales. She would later sing "In Denial" on her Showgirl: The Greatest Hits Tour, with Neil Tennant's pre-recorded vocals being played as part of the duet while Kylie sang live.
