Tune of the Week: Pet Shop Boys

We’re going to close out Pride Month with synthpop heroes The Pet Shop Boys and their 1986 hit “What Have I Done To Deserve This”, which also helped revitalize the career of the 60’s pop star Dusty Springfield. The Boys are exceedingly good at delivering emotional songs in an deadpan, unemotional way and this is of the best examples of their style. In hindsight, this approach perfectly fits the “me generation” 80s image of self-centeredness and detachment from humanity for the sake of a stylish image. However, this stone- faced approach along with the emotional content of the lyrics create a depth to the music that is unique and refreshing amongst artists who wear their hearts on their sleeves as well as reflecting the emotional depravation in a consumerist world.