Something new I learned about Opportunities (Let's Make Lots of Money)

[TallThinMan]

I recently came across Bob Stanley's "Bee Gees: Children of the World" biography in a charity shop. It's a brand new book and was only £3 so it seemed a no-brainer to buy it.

I knew that there was some mutual admiration between Neil and Chris and the Bee Gees. I remember some TV documentary years ago in which the Bee Gees referenced "So Hard" as a great contemporary pop song. Therefore naturally the first thing I did was turn to the book's index. Sure enough it said the Pet Shop Boys are mentioned on page 314:

A chance meeting with the Pet Shop Boys found the duo happy to admit to the Gibbs that their 1985 single "Opportunities (Let's Make Lots of Money)" had owed a strong debt to "Lonely Days (Where would I be without my woman?)"

I didn't know that song, so looked it up: https://youtu.be/ipwWbZnpgiI

I can just about hear some inspiration for Opportunities in the piano intro and also the refrain at https://youtu.be/ipwWbZnpgiI?t=83

Lonely days
Lonely nights
Where would I be without my woman

Sped up it almost becomes:

I've got the brains
You've got the looks
Let's make lots of money

Judge for yourself.

[Debussy]

Interesting. I hear it.

Sent from my SM-T870 using Tapatalk

[TwizzleUK]

Yes, can definitely hear that. And also - what a great song! Loving some of those early Bee Gees songs (such as 'I Started A Joke', of course). Really must check out more of them.

[DopeFiend]

Fascinating. Thanks for sharing.

[Nina]

It is true. In fact Geo Wayne S did talk about the similarities in a BGs piece published last June
https://www.stevepafford.com/bg10/

[Sandy Shaw]

It is true. In fact Geo Wayne S did talk about the similarities in a BGs piece published last June
https://www.stevepafford.com/bg10/

Steve Pafford isn't Wayne!

[ahafan02]

Bee Gees also wrote a song called "Fallen Angel" which they said was inspired by the Pet Shop Boys. Barry Gibb once said they were hoping PSB would have produced their "Size Isn't Everything" album but they (PSB) were to busy.

[Nina]

It is true. In fact Geo Wayne S did talk about the similarities in a BGs piece published last June
https://www.stevepafford.com/bg10/

Steve Pafford isn't Wayne!

I never said he was. I said the piece was written by Wayne, not published by him, fool.

[Nina]

It is true. In fact Geo Wayne S did talk about the similarities in a BGs piece published last June
https://www.stevepafford.com/bg10/

Steve Pafford isn't Wayne!

And Frank Sinatra isn't alive, though I'm sure that won't stop you revealing his death.

[TallThinMan]

And Frank Sinatra isn't alive, though I'm sure that won't stop you revealing his death.

Why did you have to spoil your earlier worthwhile contribution to this thread with a load of toxicity?

[Nina]

And Frank Sinatra isn't alive, though I'm sure that won't stop you revealing his death.

Why did you have to spoil your earlier worthwhile contribution to this thread with a load of toxicity?

Not suffering fools isn't toxicity, it's a basic human right.

[Sandy Shaw]

I hadn't spotted that it was a guest contribution from the brilliant Dr Studer. . I'm not greatly happy with being called a fool - although Shakespeare's fools could be very wise.... ''Shakespearean fools are usually clever peasants or commoners that use their wits to outdo people of higher social standing.''
The toxic element is the nastiness - can't we just try to get along?