Favorite "Direction" Songs #4 - "West End Girls"

@teamfreak16 (43684)
Denver, Colorado
August 12, 2017 11:27am CST
Raise your hand if you saw this coming from a mile away. We are at #4 in my Favorite "Direction" Songs series, the theme of which is songs with either "north," "south," "east," or "west" in the title. The fourth spot in the countdown belongs to "West End Girls" by Pet Shop Boys. "West End Girls" started life as a club hit in 1984. After signing to a major label (EMI,) vocalist Neil Tennant and keyboardist Chris Lowe rerecorded the hip hop-inspired tune, a wise move by the duo. The new release was an international smash hit, reaching #1 in both the US and UK. In fact, check this out: counting England and the United States, "West End Girls" hit either #1 or #2 in 13 countries, and #5 in Australia and Austria. It has been certified gold in both the UK and Canada. A seriously smooth slab of danceable synthpop, "West End Girls" is not, as some believe, about hookers, rather, class struggle in the inner city, an idea the duo took from Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five's classic hip hop single, "The Message." Like I said, you should have seen this one coming. (Info verified by Wikipedia)
Music video by Pet Shop Boys performing West End Girls (2003 Digital Remaster).
9 people like this
9 responses
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
12 Aug 17
I love this song. Great #4
2 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43684)
• Denver, Colorado
12 Aug 17
Hold that thought when I get to #2.
@dollaboy (6048)
12 Aug 17
Good one Scott. Thanks for sharing
2 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43684)
• Denver, Colorado
12 Aug 17
You're welcome.
1 person likes this
@much2say (57760)
• Los Angeles, California
27 Aug 17
I used to love this back in the day ! Funny thing is I haven't heard this in a long time, but for some reason a lot of the the lyrics are still in my head . . . if, when, why, what - how much have you got. This song really brings me back to the 80s - my time!
1 person likes this
@much2say (57760)
• Los Angeles, California
27 Aug 17
@teamfreak16 If I remember correctly, I immediately took to this song when I first heard it . . . very catchy and a sound like no other - distinct from other 80s bands.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43684)
• Denver, Colorado
27 Aug 17
One of the greatest synth pop acts of the 80's. And they are still going strong.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43684)
• Denver, Colorado
27 Aug 17
@much2say - They do have a very distinctive sound.
1 person likes this
@amadeo (111937)
• United States
12 Aug 17
how the California Girls. thanks for this.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43684)
• Denver, Colorado
12 Aug 17
If I ever do states, that one might just make it.
1 person likes this
@amadeo (111937)
• United States
12 Aug 17
@teamfreak16 Okay but stay away from the NH girls
2 people like this
• Bournemouth, England
15 Aug 17
They were still winning the odd award for it in 1987. It has a great introduction.
1 person likes this
• Bournemouth, England
15 Aug 17
@teamfreak16 'Heart' and 'Left To My Own Devices' are great.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43684)
• Denver, Colorado
15 Aug 17
I've never heard anything by them that I haven't liked.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
14 Aug 17
I remember that song! Pet Shop Boys says it all about their style of music
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43684)
• Denver, Colorado
14 Aug 17
And they are still at it. Still putting out good music.
1 person likes this
• United States
13 Aug 17
This song is one of my favs if the the fav of PetShops. It is the ultimate English smoothness in a song.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43684)
• Denver, Colorado
13 Aug 17
It definitely is smooth.
@FourWalls (86940)
• United States
14 Aug 17
The first song that came to mind when you started the series. Yes, I saw it coming.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43684)
• Denver, Colorado
14 Aug 17
I'm going to get a bunch of "Never heard of it" comments on the last two, though.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
12 Aug 17
Both hands raised in tribute to these 80s hall of famers!
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43684)
• Denver, Colorado
12 Aug 17
I could just as easily have used "Go West."
1 person likes this