The Pet Shop Boys in the 1980s

Although they continue to record successfully today, the Pet Shop Boys songs of the 1980s were among the best material the duo produced.

Full of great melodies, instant hooks as well as clever and thoughtful lyrics, their hit tracks of the period stand up today as well as they did back in the 80s. The pair also had the knack of creating the most memorable music videos of the decade, each one seemingly better than the last.

While several critics state that The Pet Shop Boys cater or speak to a certain core audience, I believe that their lyrics impact listeners from all walks of life. I have enjoyed listening to their songs for many years now, and I don't fall into that supposed music demographic.

I just like a good song when I hear one, and this duo have recorded many that fit into that category. So, let's travel back to the Eighties and relive great synthpop from one of the UK's finest, The Pet Shop Boys.

The Pet Shop Boys were formed around 1981 by singer Neil Tennant and keyboard player, Chris Lowe. However, it would not be until late 1985 that the duo would enjoy success with the release and re-recording of its first song West End Girls. Since then, the partnership has gone onto register over twenty Top 10 hits in the UK alone, many of them also hugely successful overseas.

In fact, The Pet Shop Boys have become the most successful duo in British rock music, securing more hit singles than any other. Critically acclaimed, the pair have been nominated for several Grammy Awards and in 2009, they were given a BRIT Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music.

A brand new album from The Pet Shop Boys appeared in 1987. This one was called Actually, continuing the duo's obsession with releasing albums with one word titles.

Again the music from the boys received great critical acclaim, and the recording was soon climbing the charts worldwide. In the UK it settled at Number 2, while across the Atlantic in the US, it brokered the Top 30 at Number 25.

Quite possibly my favourite album from The Pet Shop Boys, it contains four magnificent hit singles, all of which can be heard below:

It's A Sin

What Have I Done To Deserve This? (with Dusty Springfield)

Rent

Heart

During this period, another highly successful song was released, the excellent cover version of the Willie Nelson/Elvis Presley hit, Always On My Mind, although this was not included on this album.

The Pet Shop Boys' third and final album of the 1980s was Introspective. This release was notable for its inclusion of more instruments than the pair's previous outings. Instead of just their synthesized sound, many of the tracks included the use of an orchestral backing, giving them a richer quality than had been previously heard.

Once again, the album was an astounding success, giving the boys a third Top 3 placing in the UK and another Top 40 entry in the US.

This one also included four of The Pet Shop Boys' biggest hit singles:

Always On My Mind

Domino Dancing

Left To My Own Devices

It's Alright