Pet Shop Boys

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Your life's a mystery, mine is an open book
If I could read your mind, I think I'd take a look
I don't care, baby, I'm not scared

[Verse 2]
What have you got to fight? What do you need to prove?
You're always telling lies and that's the only truth
I don't care, baby, I'm not scared

[Chorus]
Tonight the streets are full of actors
I don't know why
Oh, take these dogs away from me
Before they, they bite

[Verse 3]
What have you got to say of shadows in your past?
I thought that if you paid, you'd keep them off our backs
But I don't care, baby, I'm not scared

[Verse 4]
What have you got to hide? Who will it compromise?
Where do we have to be so I can laugh and you'll be free?
I'd go anywhere, baby, I don't care
I'm not scared
[Interlude]
I don't care, baby, I'm not scared

[Interlude]

[Chorus]
Tonight the streets are full of actors
I don't know why
Oh, take these dogs away from me
Before they, they bite

[Chorus]
Tonight I thought I'd made my mind up
I know it's right
I know these dogs still snap around us
But I can, I can fight

[Bridge]
If I was you, if I was you
I wouldn't treat me the way you do
If I was you, if I was you
I wouldn't treat me the way you do, you
If I was you, if I was you
I wouldn't treat me the way you do
If I was you, if I was you
I wouldn't treat me the way you do, you
[Outro]
I'm not scared, baby, I don't care
I'd go anywhere. baby, I'm not scared
I'm not scared, no, I'm not scared

For fans of the Pet Shop Boys, I'm Not Scared is considered a quintessential track that embodies the synth-pop sound that the duo is known for.

Released in 1988, this song was written by Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe. It’s a cover version of a song with the same title by Italian singer Patsy Kensit’s band Eighth Wonder.

I'm Not Scared is known for its upbeat tempo, catchy melody, and compelling lyrics, which touch on the themes of love, fear, and vulnerability.

About I’m Not Scared

The Pet Shop Boys were at the peak of their career in the late 1980s when they released I'm Not Scared as the fourth single off their “Actually” album. The song was a commercial success, reaching the top ten of the charts in the UK, Ireland, and Norway.

The track opens with a pulsating beat, and the synths create an upbeat atmosphere that sets the tone for the rest of the song. As the song progresses, the lyrics begin to reveal a deeper layer of meaning. The narrator is discussing issues of vulnerability and fear in a relationship and how they cannot fully trust their partner.

The lyrics are powerful and emotional, and they are sung by Neil Tennant with conviction and passion. His vocal expression conveys the depth of the emotions that are being discussed in the song. The chorus is memorable, with the repetition of the phrase "I'm not scared" reinforcing the message of facing one's fears and taking control of one's life.

What's interesting about I'm Not Scared is that its upbeat melody is in contrast to the dark themes of the lyrics. The music video, directed by Derek Jarman, reinforces this idea by portraying a dystopian world filled with darkness and despair. Tennant performs the song in a hazmat suit, which further emphasizes the theme of fear and vulnerability.

For many fans of the Pet Shop Boys, I'm Not Scared is a standout track that showcases the duo's skill in crafting infectious pop songs that have a deeper meaning. The track has stood the test of time and continues to be a fan favorite today, more than thirty years after its initial release.

In summation, I’m Not Scared is a song that perfectly captures the quintessential sound of the Pet Shop Boys. Its upbeat melody and impactful lyrics about the complexity of emotions in a relationship make it an enduring classic in the synth-pop canon.

• Release Date: October 11, 1988
• Artist: Pet Shop Boys