ENOUGH ! - IMPORTANT READ ME !

[dibdav]

Can I let all of you out there into a little secret ?

Sales and Album placings DO NOT MATTER.
I know it has been said before, but look at this way.

Two guy who have been in a wonderful world for 21years now. They get to travel the World, eat in expensive restaurants, perform infront of adoring fans, express their personal views with song, go to exclusive parties, have 50 press interviews in a day, tv appearances, amazing homes, perform in Red Square - Trafalgar Square, free tickets to exclusive events ... you get the picture.

The thing is, I work in the 'creative/media' industry 'from afar' - I've met PopStars, been to the parties and so on. Neil & Chris at the ages they are, I CAN ASSURE YOU, ARE NOT WORRYING ABOUT SALES OR CHART POSITIONS.

What they are doing, secretly and quietly is being amazed at how they can live the dream. In the meantime, the more obsessive of you fans out there, continue to torture themselves over details that simply DO NOT MATTER in relative terms.

What I see is Pet Shop Boys as a brand that is loved and natured by fans out there, and they don't have complete control over this brand, so they do, what controlling people do, and react - usually 'insecurely.'

Look, yes of course, Neil & Chris, for whatever the futility of it all, because they release 'pop' music, they still in relative terms care about chart positions and sales - but 'relative' is the optimum word.

... and for goodness sake, what do pop bands strive for ?
Number 1 singles - they've had 4!
Stardom - they've had as much stardom as they have wanted.
Touring - they've toured the WORLD.
Album Sales - 35 Million & counting ...

...again I could go on. But what do you expect. In there 'imperial' phase, the Pet Shop Boys managed to achieve something very difficult in 'mass' terms - they introduced what was and still is 'a minority view point.' Walk outside and talk to the 'average' person tomorrow, most people see the world in similiar vein, they like security, predictability and being 'civilised' - the Pet Shop Boys ideas and presentation has never been civilised.

Why not see yourself as part of something special ! Why worry that your 'brand' is not being played in every household in the world - a very civilised world.

If you want to be cliched, the Pet Shop Boys are by definition a 'cult.' But in terms of a cult - STILL MASSIVE.

I posted a similiar thread to this a couple of years back, when I quoted Neil saying -
'do you think I worry about chart positions that much, here I am 47 years-old and singing New York City Boy tonight in New York in front of adoring fans. HE IS INCREDIBLY HAPPY WITH WHAT THEY HAVE, AND STILL ARE ACHEIVING.

To be a fan is sometimes an exhausting business. Yes you LOVE Neil & Chris and what they do, and as you would with anyone you love, want the very best for them.
I'm not going to say, stop analysing charts and sales - because I know the 'personality' you are won't do that - so it's okay.

But try to worry alittle less. The world is so much more than we know. The PSB are still a wonderful part of it - with great things to look forward too.

...don't let sales and numbers, MATHEMATICS in other words that all it is inflict alittle misery on your life.

Smile and be happy to like what YOU like.

[dibdav]

...and for those still worried :

I'm with stupid UK made NUMBER 08 - NOT 18
Fundamental made NUMBER 05 - NOT 25.

Think About It .

Right I'm off to bed Zzzzzzzzzzzz

[Deschanel]

>>What I see is Pet Shop Boys as a brand that is loved and natured by fans<<

Loved is fine, but "natured" is still highly illegal in many countries.
Esp. the Eastern bloc. Did you see the violence against naturers at the Moscow parade? Abysmal.

[Padster]

....... or maybe just listen to the music and enjoy it - not pull it to pieces.

[Janet Street-Porter]

Sales and Album placings DO NOT MATTER.

You should be on the Erasure forum.

[pulse]

Sales and Album placings DO NOT MATTER.

You should be on the Erasure forum.

Yes Janet, he should sign up and join both you and I over there.

[BlueSwan]

Sales does matter though. If Fundemental only sold 50.000 copies or so, it is doubtful whether we'd see another PSB record. And if we did it would be decidedly low-budget and not an expensive Trevor Horn production.

But the sales level that PSB currently enjoys is perfectly acceptable, I agree with that. Not too many bands still sell close to a million copies with every studio album after 20+ years in the business.

[popfreak]

Of course they matter.

So if your world cup team goes out at the first round with out scoring goals, thats ok because they are "loved and nurtured by fans".

Rubbish, no sales, no contract

no goals, no cup.

[ArseSpanker]

Absolutely. How can you be a 'pop' act and not be 'popular'?

It's almost a reason for being.

[Nickname]

Sales does matter to get more ambitious projects. "Performance" wouldn't have existed if the sales of PSB, at that time, had been low.

Do you think Trevor Horn works for free, for example?

[Blockhead]

Of course they matter.

no goals, no cup.

Strange but it could happen - but highly unlikely - you could actually win the World Cup without scoring a goal!!

[Ramzy]

...don't let sales and numbers, MATHEMATICS in other words that all it is inflict alittle misery on your life.

I presume you are not implying that mathematics is insubstantial and not worth the time of day, because that would be absurd. It's, like, the study of everything. I was nodding vaguely until I read that bit.

And, like, yes, not just cumulative sales but current sales dictate a large part of what happens to them. Chart positions, perhaps not, because PopArt performed horrifically but still sold quite a bit, but if they stop selling records then Parlophone ARE going to stop floating them sooner or later. I'm almost surprised we got Trevor Horn this time, to be honest.

Mathematics, however, is inflicting a very large amount of misery on my life because I have to go and revise integration by substitution now. *grumble*

[Blockhead]

...don't let sales and numbers, MATHEMATICS in other words that all it is inflict alittle misery on your life.

I presume you are not implying that mathematics is insubstantial and not worth the time of day, because that would be absurd. It's, like, the study of everything. I was nodding vaguely until I read that bit.

And, like, yes, not just cumulative sales but current sales dictate a large part of what happens to them. Chart positions, perhaps not, because PopArt performed horrifically but still sold quite a bit, but if they stop selling records then Parlophone ARE going to stop floating them sooner or later. I'm almost surprised we got Trevor Horn this time, to be honest.

Mathematics, however, is inflicting a very large amount of misery on my life because I have to go and revise integration by substitution now. *grumble*

Where the hell have you been?!!!!

[profile790]

PSB indeed seem happy with what they have, and they're not exactly attempting to expand their success. Of course they still deliver great music, but when it comes to promotion, their effort is limited to a small list of key countries.

Half of me understands their point of view, the other half doesn't. Just because PSB music is so brilliant, and so many people (even in Europe) are hardly aware of it.

Chart positions ARE important for any band that wishes to have ongoing commercial success. Both the I'm With Stupid and Fundamental UK chart positions were published on the official site, before they were announced on BBC Radio. A band that doesn't care about chart positions, wouldn't have such info on their website that early. And also wouldn't perform on Top Of The Pops, etc...

[Dreamcatcher2003]

You remind me Mr -Pollyanna- Mig from Erasure forum, who thinks that Erasure is the best thing that has walked the Earth since Jesus...