Pet Shop Boys

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
I came across a cache of old photos
And invitations to teenage parties
"Dress in white," one said with quotations
From someone's wife, a famous writer
In the 1920s

[Pre-Chorus]
When you're young, you find inspiration
In anyone who's ever gone
And opened up a closing door
She said, "We were never feeling bored

[Chorus]
'Cause we were never being boring
We had too much time to find for ourselves
And we were never being boring
We dressed up and fought, then thought, "Make amends"
And we were never holding back or worried that
Time would come to an end"

[Verse 2]
When I went, I left from the station
With a haversack and some trepidation
Someone said, "If you're not careful
You'll have nothing left and nothing to care for
In the 1970s"
[Pre-Chorus]
But I sat back and looking forward
My shoes were high and I had scored
I'd bolted through a closing door
I would never find myself feeling bored

[Chorus]
'Cause we were never being boring
We had too much time to find for ourselves
And we were never being boring
We dressed up and fought, then thought, "Make amends"
And we were never holding back or worried that
Time would come to an end
We were always hoping that, looking back
You could always rely on a friend

[Verse 3]
Now I sit with different faces
In rented rooms and foreign places
All the people I was kissing
Some are here and some are missing
In the 1990s

[Pre-Chorus]
I never dreamt that I would get to be
The creature that I always meant to be
But I thought in spite of dreams
You'd be sitting somewhere here with me
[Chorus]
'Cause we were never being boring
We had too much time to find for ourselves
And we were never being boring
We dressed up and fought, then thought, "Make amends"
And we were never holding back or worried that
Time would come to an end
We were always hoping that, looking back
You could always rely on a friend

[Outro]
And we were never being boring
We had too much time to find for ourselves
And we were never being boring
We dressed up and fought, then thought, "Make amends"
And we were never being boring
We were never being bored
'Cause we were never being boring
We were never being bored

When it comes to iconic pop songs from the '80s and '90s, the Pet Shop Boys' "Being Boring" is undoubtedly one that stands out. In this poignant and reflective track, the duo explores themes of nostalgia, growing up, and the fleeting nature of youth. Despite its lackluster chart performance, "Being Boring" quickly became a fan favorite and is now regarded as one of the most significant and enduring tracks in the Pet Shop Boys' extensive discography.

About Being Boring

Released in 1990, "Being Boring" was the second single from the Pet Shop Boys' fifth studio album, "Behaviour." The introspective and melancholic nature of the song is evident from the very beginning, with its moody, somber synths and Neil Tennant's wistful vocals. The title of the song is a reference to a quote from Zelda Fitzgerald, who once said, "She was never bored, mainly because she was never boring."

Despite its melancholic tone, "Being Boring" is ultimately a celebration of life and the memories that we create along the way. In the song's lyrics, Tennant reflects on his own life and that of his friends, particularly that of his friend and former flatmate Chris Dowling, who died of AIDS in 1989. The lyrics describe a group of young people who are living life to the fullest, taking risks, and making memories that will last a lifetime. Yet, as the song notes, all things must come to an end, and we are left with nothing but our memories.

The song's chorus - "All the people I was kissing / Some are here and some are missing in the nineteen-nineties" - has become one of its most iconic lines, and perfectly encapsulates the bittersweet nature of the track. On the one hand, it is a celebration of the youthful hedonism and carefree spirit of the '80s. On the other hand, it is a sobering reminder that all good things must come to an end.

Despite its melancholic subject matter, "Being Boring" is a beautiful and uplifting track. It is a testament to the power of music to capture the complexity of human emotions in a way that is both universal and deeply personal. To this day, it remains a beloved and timeless classic, resonating with new generations of listeners who are looking for music that speaks to the human experience in all its complexity.

With its memorable melodies, poetic lyrics, and poignant message, "Being Boring" is undoubtedly one of the most significant and enduring tracks in the Pet Shop Boys' extensive discography. It is a beautiful and powerful ode to the fleeting nature of youth, the importance of taking risks and living life to the fullest, and the enduring power of memory to sustain us through even the darkest of times.

• Release Date: November 12, 1990
• Artist: Pet Shop Boys