Pet Shop Boys

Lyrics

[Verse 1: Neil Tennant]
Sometimes you're better off dead
There's a gun in your hand, and it's pointing at your head
You think you're mad, too unstable
Kicking in chairs and knocking down tables
In a restaurant in a West End town
Call the police, there's a madman around
Running down underground to a dive bar
In a West End town

[Chorus: Neil Tennant]
In a West End town, a dead end world
The East End boys and West End girls
In a West End town, a dead end world
The East End boys and West End girls
West End girls

[Verse 2: Neil Tennant & Helena Springs]
Too many shadows, whispering voices
Faces on posters, too many choices
If, when, why, what?
How much have you got?
Have you got it, do you get it, if so, how often?
And which do you choose, a hard or soft option?
(How much do you need?)
[Chorus: Neil Tennant]
In a West End town, a dead end world
The East End boys and West End girls
In a West End town, a dead end world
The East End boys and West End girls
West End girls
West End girls

[Interlude: Helena Springs]
(How much do you need?)

[Chorus: Neil Tennant]
In a West End town, a dead end world
The East End boys and West End girls
Ooh, West End town, a dead end world
East End boys, West End Girls
West End girls

[Verse 3: Neil Tennant & Helena Springs]
You've got a heart of glass or a heart of stone
Just you wait 'til I get you home
We've got no future, we've got no past
Here today, built to last
In every city, in every nation
From Lake Geneva to the Finland station
(How far have you been?)
[Chorus: Neil Tennant & Helena Springs]
In a West End town, a dead end world
The East End boys and West End girls
A West End town, a dead end world
East End Boys, West End girls
West End girls
West End girls

[Outro: Neil Tennant & Helena Springs]
West End girls
(How far have you been?)
Girls
East End boys
And West End girls
And West End girls
(...forever)
And West End girls
(How far have you been?)
East End boys
The West End girls
The West End boys
And West End girls
The West End girls
The West End boys
The West End girls

If you’re an 80’s music lover, then you’re probably familiar with the hit song “West End Girls” by Pet Shop Boys. The song, which was first released in 1984, has been hailed as an iconic classic that perfectly encapsulated the feeling, atmosphere, and cultural climate of London during that decade.

The song explores the divide between the West End and the East End regions of London, which were notorious for their social and economic differences. The West End was known for being wealthy and glamorous, while the East End was considered more down-to-earth. The lyrics describe the hopes of young men who hung around the West End, hoping to impress and win over elusive West End Girls who could help them climb the social ladder.

Aside from its memorable lyrics, the song was also noted for its distinctive sound. The majority of the sounds were created using the E-mu Emulator II synthesizer, which was a popular instrument during the 80s. The combination of electro-pop beats and the haunting vocals of the lead singer, Neil Tennant, produced a distinctive sound that is instantly recognizable even today.

About West End Girls

The song West End Girls was written by Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe, who together formed the electro-pop duo Pet Shop Boys in 1981. The song was first released in 1984 and went on to become a massive hit in the UK music charts.

West End Girls was inspired by the stark social and cultural differences between the West End and East End regions of London. The lyrics describe the aspirations of young men who longed to be accepted and welcomed into the glamorous world of the West End, where they could rub shoulders with wealthy and influential individuals.

The song opens with a catchy and memorable synthesizer riff, before launching into the famous lyrics: “Sometimes you're better off dead, there's a gun in your hand and it's pointing at your head”. The chorus is equally memorable, with Tennant’s smooth vocals crooning: “In a West End town, a dead-end world, the East End boys and West End girls”. The juxtaposition of the seemingly glamorous West End with the “dead-end world” of the East End perfectly captures the social divide that existed in London during that decade.

Aside from its memorable lyrics, the song is also noted for its distinctive sound. The majority of the sounds were created using the E-mu Emulator II synthesizer, which was a popular instrument during the 80s. The use of synthesizers and electronic beats was a hallmark of the electro-pop genre that Pet Shop Boys helped pioneer in the early 80s.

West End Girls was the first single released by Pet Shop Boys, and it was an instant hit. The song topped the charts in the UK, as well as in other countries such as the US and Canada. It helped the duo establish themselves as one of the most innovative and exciting acts in the music industry, and they went on to achieve further success with other hits such as “Opportunities (Let's Make Lots of Money)” and “It's a Sin”.

Over the years, West End Girls has become a beloved classic that continues to be played on radio stations and at parties around the world. Its unique sound, memorable lyrics, and timeless appeal have helped it endure as a defining song of 80s pop culture. For those who lived through that era, the song is a nostalgic reminder of a time when electronic music was taking the world by storm, and the West End represented the ultimate aspiration for young people looking to make their mark on the world.

What the Future Holds for West End Girls

West End Girls was a defining song of the 80s, and it continues to be celebrated today. Its distinctive sound and memorable lyrics have helped it endure as a beloved classic that is still played on radio stations around the world. As the music industry continues to evolve and change, there’s no doubt that West End Girls will continue to be a defining song of pop culture.

Whether you’re an 80s music lover or a newcomer to the timeless appeal of the Pet Shop Boys, West End Girls is a song that will stay with you long after you’ve finished listening.

• Release Date: October 28, 1985
• Artist: Pet Shop Boys