New BBC 'imagine...' documentary on Pet Shop Boys confirmed for Spring 2024

[leesmapman]

Could "What's that" have evolved to "Was that what it was?"

[Dog]

What I can make out, plus input from Geowayne: http://www.geowayne.com/newDesign/lists/unreleased.htm

I’ve got plans (involving you) (2 early xxx?)

In Chris Heath's book Pet Shop Boys, Literally, he briefly quotes Neil (on page 116 of at least some editions) about this unreleased song: "Sometimes the inspiration behind a song is something funny, though often the song itself isn't remotely funny.… When I was at Smash Hits, the one everyone liked like that was one called 'I've Got Plans Involving You.'" So obviously this song dates back to the very early days of the Tennant-Lowe partnership. It's also registered in BMI's records as a Tennant-Lowe song.

Talk to me [previously unknown]
I can’t say goodnight [later reworked for Liza’s Results]
What’s that? [previously unknown]
It’s a sin (2nd version)
I’ve got plans
It’s a sin
If looks could kill
A powerful friend

Holding back [previously unknown]
Do you get love?

The first version of this song was co-written by Ray Roberts (together with a female singer with whom he was working at the time), at whose small studio the Boys composed and recorded some of their earliest demos. Neil, upon hearing it, liked its "Do you get love?" refrain and thought "the backing track was lovely," but felt that the verse melody and lyrics could be improved to make it more "romantic and wistful." Ray agreed, so Neil wrote a new melody and lyrics, after which Neil sang—"particularly high," as he has put it, "full of sexual longing"—atop the original backing on a new demo. It appears on a demo tape held by Neil in the 2024 BBC Imagine documentary. It was never intended to be a PSB track, however, the idea being that the original female singer would re-record it. But that never happened. If it ever had been completed and released, Neil surely would have merited a co-writing credit. Since, however, Mr. Roberts has now passed away, it's unlikely this song will ever reach the public's ears.

Do you get love (instr.)
It’s a sin
Do you get love?
It’s a sin
I’ve got plans (2 dub versions)

[Ghost within this house]

Isnt' it 'Do you feel love?' - that's my reading of it, and it is a title that stirs a memory somewhere.

And of course there's 'Do you control your mind'..............

[Ghost within this house]

I seem to recall that 'It's not a crime' morphed into Left to my own devices, or the lyric did, at least...

[debbieveda]

This documentary was fabulous!! It’s so nice to see Chris and Neil being so down to earth, I can’t believe they let cameras backstage!!!

So many details about the beginning, it really took me back…glad they keep going!!!

[Rorie]

Finally got to see it. Couple observations.

Olly says they are both gay. Surprised that made it in. Chris has said his sexuality is no ones business. I agree. He must have said OK to that comment being in there.

Nice to see their take on their album covers.

The comment when Neil came out, that they became a "gay band" was interesting. I am not sure if that is because the lyrics were now being interpreted that way once he came out. Or if they felt he became a role model for the LGBTQ. There are a lot of hetrosexual PSB fans and I've never really viewed them through the lense of their sexual-orientation.

The documentary really brought out how well their work together. I loved the interactions and the ribbing they both give each other. Just shows why they have been together for 40 years and how they continue to enjoy being in each other's presence.

Overall was a great documentary.

[psbfannyc]

Love how they have documented Neil reading his lyrics from his book.

[TallThinMan]

I found the tear in Neil’s eye after he read the lyrics of ‘Being Boring’ and stared at the camera very poignant.

[Den]

Could "What's that" have evolved to "Was that what it was?"

I’m thinking the same here.

[marcus_tandy]

669,000 people tuned in live (or on the same day) on Tuesday - which is a decent rating for a tuesday late night. This will go up to around 1.1-1.4 million with catch up. The BBC4 repeat will get around 150,000. My prediction (as the catch up figure includes iplayer) is that in the UK 1.5 million will end up seeing this doco - which is about 2% of the population.

[Patrick Bateman]

Love how they have documented Neil reading his lyrics from his book.

"And so could we not get Alan Bennett?"

[Spittingcat]

Chris really does keep them grounded, at all times... he's ace!

And I appreciated the poetry readings, they seemed totally heartfelt.

[One of the crowd]

And of course there's 'Do you control your mind'..............

A fantastic track

[glennjridge]

One thing I took note of is how Neil really was a go-getter.
The documentary set up Kind of how maybe they weren’t doing so well, but Neil would reach out to someone and their luck would turn, Such as when they were going to be dropped by the label yet Neil decided inexplicably to reach out to someone to manage them and amazingly got them a deal. If not for that stroke of luck who knows what would’ve happened.

By the way, that new London boy sounds absolutely beautiful and shimmering with the lush arrangement mixed with the wonderful singing.

[drunk14]

Do you have an idea how to create subtitles to the documentary? I downloaded the file, but I need some subtitles to share it with my friends who are less fluent in English. I would also prefer to watch it with subtitles because it would be easier to understand some fast delivered comments or some slang expressions.

Any help appreciated