Pet Shop Boys: Worst ... earworm ... ever
It's going on six days now, and I still can't get this song out of my head. Maybe when Vegas Girlfriend leaves for the Great White Mitten later today, I'll force her to undo whatever voodoo magic she used to get this tune permanently embedded deep in my brain.
Truth be told, nearly every great Pet Shop Boys song is an earworm. If I'm not singing Go West softly to myself, then I'm humming It's a Sin or Suburbia. NOW I know why we haven't done a podcast on these guys yet. If I had to immerse myself in their music for a solid week, my brain would turn to mush.
If there's another band out there with more earworms for hits, I'd like to know about it ... so I can avoid them.
Relive the music, movies and culture of the greatest decade ever with Times online editor Steve Spears. A teen during the decade, Steve is obsessed with everything from Duran Duran to Journey, John Hughes to John Cusack, and parachute pants to Reaganomics.
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Don't avoid the earworms, collect them!
Posted by: Awesome Playlist | December 02, 2008 at 01:34 PM
I have the 'Pop Art' DVD that has most of their videos. I don't know if that's the "ultimate" Greatest Hits DVD or whatnot. Although, I only liked them up to "Domino Dancing" anyway.
By the way, I love "It's a Sin" as well. Loud drum machines 4 the win!!!1 ;)
Posted by: Grace Saunders | December 02, 2008 at 01:49 PM
Two words: Phil Collins.
Posted by: Bassnote | December 02, 2008 at 01:56 PM
*Huge* PSB fan here. Saw them first in NYC in '91, even got to meet Neil Tennant. That tour remains one of the most artistic I've ever experienced. It was truly brilliant.
Nevertheless, their "Go West" cover makes the Village People look and sound positively straight.
While it may not be the most insidious earworm to date ("Curly Shuffle" anyone?), it certainly is the gayest.
Posted by: Tonianne | December 02, 2008 at 02:10 PM
I went to a cousin's wedding over the Thanksgiving weekend, and the song "Come On Eileen" was played. It took me well into the next day to get that piece of crap out of my head. I love 80s music, but "Come On Eileen" is a blight on humanity.
Posted by: Bassnote | December 02, 2008 at 02:17 PM
Spearsy has the brains. Daly's got the brawn? Let's make lots of money...
Posted by: Blaine | December 02, 2008 at 03:05 PM
There is no worse of an earworm than the Family Ties theme...."what would we do, baby, without us.....?" Ugh,
Posted by: Gary in Gilroy | December 02, 2008 at 03:44 PM
Are they considered earworms even when the music is good? You know you've got to do a PSB podcast - I look forward to it. My fav: Left to My Own Devices
Posted by: Mark in East Texas | December 02, 2008 at 04:48 PM
Screw the earworm...we have a Tonianne sighting! Hope you've been well!
Posted by: Douglas Arthur | December 02, 2008 at 04:58 PM
What about that rubbish song by Joan Osbourne? I will not write the title because once you read the song title it will be stuck in you brain forever.
'Yeah, Yeah God is good'
Q. Should we thank the guy from The Hooters for that song or throw stones at him?
A.Stone him a couple of times at least. 'Nervous Night' was a pretty good album.
Posted by: JohnnyVinyl | December 02, 2008 at 05:05 PM
Big PSB fan here. I agree a Podcast on them is long due. Great Singles and remixes during the eighties. I wish I can say the same thing about their more current music. That Go West song is a piece of stinking awful!
Posted by: ARod | December 02, 2008 at 06:52 PM
A PSB podcast would be great. I too am a huge fan. This is no surprise as VGF often drink and watch the videos.
Posted by: Cylon | December 02, 2008 at 07:12 PM
I vote for a PSB podcast as well...However, I have to disagree with ARod about their current stuff. I really loved their last album, "Fundamental"...that song "Minimal" was on constant repeat on my ipod for a good 6 weeks. I also hate to admit this, but "The Sodom and Gamorrah Show" was one of their best songs in 20 years...The title is God-awful, but the tune is absolutely brilliant. If you look it up on youtube, you will also notice that they used a REAL LIFE drummer for the song.
Posted by: Rob Bass from Chicago | December 02, 2008 at 11:55 PM
I think I like your blog, dude!
Posted by: Mr Rush | December 03, 2008 at 05:58 AM
Wasn't "Go West" used in Prycilla, Queen of the Desert?" Not this version; however, it would have been even more suitable.
As far as earworms go "mamasaymamoosamoomacoosah" is a co-worker favorite. I hear a sampling of it and it's stuck in my head all day ... and I sing it. Loudly. Which is usually followed by "stopppppppppppppppp. pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease. shut-up!" but I can't.
Posted by: Marissa | December 03, 2008 at 07:53 AM
Cylon, you have inspired me to go check out their new stuff. I was frustrated with most of their material back in the 90s so I sort of gave up on them. I supposed they were trying new sounds like Depeche Mode did. Thank you for the heads up.
Posted by: ARod | December 03, 2008 at 08:02 AM
Cylon is right, PSB capture some of their magic back with this album. Thanks again Cylon.
Posted by: ARod | December 03, 2008 at 08:10 AM