My B-sides TOP 10

[East End Bhoy]

In no particular order, my top 10 is

Paninaro
Bet she's not your Girlfriend
In the night
Sexy Northerner
The forgotten Child
How I learned to hate rock and roll
After the Event
Fugitive
Decide
One night


(incidentally PSB have so many great songs, this list would probably be slightly different tomorrow) :

[BoyStrange]

(Chronological order)

Was that what it was?
Bet she's not your girlfriend
Too many people
The boy who couldn't keep his clothes on
Between two islands
I didn't get where I am today
Bright young things
In his imagination
Wiedersehen
I've got plans (involving you)

[Old Soak]

In no particular order

Decide
In his imagination
Your funny Uncle
Betrayed
Sexy Northerner
I want a dog
Fugitive
After the event
Clean air hybrid electric bus
Decadence

[petshopgrrl]

In mostly this order:

The resurrectionist
A cloud in a box
Casting a shadow
Too many people
Some speculation
Bright young things
Your funny uncle
Sexy northerner
Decide
Clean air hybrid electric bus

Honorable mention: The sound of the atom splitting

[g_m]

So hard to choose a top 10..

I think it was a review for Alternative that said something like some bands would kill to have the quality of PSB's b-sides as their own a-sides. Absolutely spot on. There's the odd dud in there, but on a whole, they are stone cold classics. Some of their best songs have been tucked away as a b-side or an extra track on the cd single and could easily have been an a-side or at least on the parent album - Decide, Miserablism, Shameless.. Didn't they get people faxing(!) in when they were DJ'ing on Radio 1 in the summer of 1991 asking what the song was that Chris stripped to during Performance?

In no particular order (and this list could so easily be changed):

Decide
Through You
Fugitive
A New Life
Miserablism
Hey Headmaster
Friendly Fire
Do I Have To?
It Must Be Obvious
After The Event

[Straight_Talker]

So hard to choose a top 10..

I think it was a review for Alternative that said something like some bands would kill to have the quality of PSB's b-sides as their own a-sides. Absolutely spot on. There's the odd dud in there, but on a whole, they are stone cold classics. Some of their best songs have been tucked away as a b-side or an extra track on the cd single and could easily have been an a-side or at least on the parent album - Decide, Miserablism, Shameless.. Didn't they get people faxing(!) in when they were DJ'ing on Radio 1 in the summer of 1991 asking what the song was that Chris stripped to during Performance?

In no particular order (and this list could so easily be changed):

Decide
Through You
Fugitive
A New Life
Miserablism
Hey Headmaster
Friendly Fire
Do I Have To?
It Must Be Obvious
After The Event

That is a superb choice of songs!

Let’s have a go at this:

1 - I get excited (you get excited too)
2 - Miserablism
3 - Shameless
4 - Too many people
5 - Delusions of grandeur
6 - The ghost of myself
7 - The Resurrectionist
8 - Gin and Jag
9 - Listening
10 - Decide

[Spittingcat]

Already want to revise mine. 10 is not enough!

[Shopper]

They need to do a B-sides tours...what a stunning collection they have


In His Imagination
Miserablism
Everybody Will Dance
Through You
I get excited
Social Media (ok its on an EP..but still)
Bet she's not your GF
Disco Potential
Sexy Northener
In the Night

[jasonjohn]

Already want to revise mine. 10 is not enough!

Me too, everyone's list is actually good?

I've opened my mind to An Open Mind, too.... previously dismissed it as a little too Coldplay.... but once I get passed the jingly bit, I like the way the verses kinda of invert themselves in tone, if that makes sense

[TG]

Thought I'd give ChatGPT a whirl to see what occurs- First time I've ever used it -So I wrote

"Suggest 20 B-sides by Pet Shop Boys"

Send

ChatGPT said:

Sure! Pet Shop Boys are well-known for having an exceptional collection of B-sides—many of which are strong enough to be album tracks.

Here are 20 standout B-sides, spanning their long career:

In the Night – B-side to Opportunities (Let's Make Lots of Money) (1986)

A Man Could Get Arrested – B-side to West End Girls (1985)

Paninaro – B-side to Suburbia (1986)

That's My Impression – B-side to Love Comes Quickly (1986)

Do I Have To? – B-side to Rent (1987)

I Want a Dog – B-side to Rent (1987)

Your Funny Uncle – B-side to It’s Alright (1989)

Miserablism – B-side to Was It Worth It? (1991)

Shameless – B-side to Go West (1993)

Decadence – B-side to Yesterday, When I Was Mad (1994)

Some Speculation – B-side to Yesterday, When I Was Mad (1994)

The View from Your Balcony – B-side to Numb (2006)

Fugitive – B-side to Integral (2006; bonus track on Fundamentalism)

Blue on Blue – B-side to I’m with Stupid (2006)

We’re the Pet Shop Boys – B-side to Miracles (2003)

Bright Young Things – B-side to I'm With Stupid (2006)

After the Event – B-side to Minimal (2006)

The Resurrectionist – B-side to I’m with Stupid (2006)

Party Song – B-side to Love etc. (2009)

Betrayed – B-side to I Get Along (2002)

Followed by

"Can you suggest different era's"


ChatGPT said:

Absolutely! Pet Shop Boys’ career spans several decades, and their B-sides reflect the evolution of their sound and themes.

Here's a curated list of 20 B-sides, grouped into five distinct eras, showing the diversity and quality of their non-album work:

1. Classic Era (1985–1989) – Synthpop Foundations

A Man Could Get Arrested – Energetic and cheeky early track.

In the Night – A stylish Italo-disco political commentary.

Paninaro – A cult favorite that later became an A-side itself.

Do I Have To? – Melancholic and heartfelt; could have been an album track.

I Want a Dog – Quirky and endearing; later remade for Introspective.

2. Imperial Phase to Early '90s (1990–1995) – Artful and Ambitious

Miserablism – Satirical and lush, famously critical of Morrissey.

Shameless – Glamorous, biting social commentary.

Decadence – Elegant and brooding; strong enough to be on Very.

Some Speculation – Dense, moody, and atmospheric.

Euroboy – Hi-NRG with a sexual edge, very much of the era.

3. Transitional Late '90s (1996–2002) – Introspective and Experimental

The Truck-Driver and His Mate – Playful, country-tinged gem.

Delusions of Grandeur – Understated and moody.

Betrayed – Beautiful and bleak.

Screaming – Dramatic and intense; featured in The Crying Game.

4. Fundamental & Yes Era (2006–2009) – Political and Lush

Fugitive – A stunning, political epic with production by Richard X.

Blue on Blue – Gorgeous, cinematic storytelling.

The Resurrectionist – Dark historical narrative with a dance beat.

Bright Young Things – 1930s decadence in electropop form.


5. Modern Era (2010s–2020s) – Refined and Conceptual

Party Song – Minimal and biting, off the Love etc. single.

No More Ballads – Reflective and mature, from The Pop Kids era.


Last question

"Please sequence a 20 track playlist of Pet Shop Boys's B-sides in their particular key"

Absolutely! Here’s a 20-track Pet Shop Boys B-sides playlist, sequenced by musical key, creating a sonically satisfying flow — like a DJ set or concept album — moving mostly by related or complementary keys (e.g. C → Am → Em → G → D, etc.).

Pet Shop Boys B-Sides – Sequenced by Key
(Key listed beside each track)

“Your Funny Uncle” – C major

A delicate, mournful start. Works as an intro piece.

“It Must Be Obvious” – A minor

Smooth shift to its relative minor; sophisticated and baroque.

“The Resurrectionist” – E minor

Dark, atmospheric, builds tension.

“Don Juan” – G major

Arpeggiated synths and bright motifs resolve the prior tension.

“Betrayed” – D major

Keeps the energy but adds emotional depth.

“Delusions of Grandeur” – B minor

Introduces a gritty, moody texture.

“Shameless” – F# minor

Twisted glamour, matching mood and tonality.

“The Sound of the Atom Splitting” – C# minor

Experimental and stark, deepening the mood.

“Hit and Miss” – A major

Major key lift with melancholy undertones.

“In Private” (with Elton John) – F# major

Dramatic ballad quality, fitting transition from “Hit and Miss.”

“Between Two Islands” – D major

Floating, aquatic synth textures lighten the palette.

“We All Feel Better in the Dark” – A minor

Brings mystery and sexuality into the mix.

“A Man Could Get Arrested” (12" mix) – C major

Classic disco energy; back to brighter tones.

“Too Many People” – G major

Brisk, punchy and upbeat.

“Fugitive” (Richard X extended mix) – D minor

Intense and politically charged, raises the stakes.

“The Truck-Driver and His Mate” – B♭ major

Euphoric and celebratory; cathartic release.

“Friendly Fire” – G minor

Melancholy counterpoint to the previous.

“Some Speculation” – E minor

Trippy and minimal; beginning to cool things down.

“Always” – C major

Gorgeous, melodic penultimate track—returning home key.

“I Didn't Get Where I Am Today” – F major

Optimistic, slightly oddball closer; a perfect bookend.

[jasonjohn]

Thought I'd give ChatGPT a whirl to see what occurs- First time I've ever used it -So I wrote

Well, it's no GeoW-AI-ne, but impressive how it summaries the tone of each song.

I really hope these AI bots don't start scraping this forum for information on what makes a good PSB song.... it'd get very confused!

[Straight_Talker]

They need to do a B-sides tours...what a stunning collection they have


In His Imagination
Miserablism
Everybody Will Dance
Through You
I get excited
Social Media (ok its on an EP..but still)
Bet she's not your GF
Disco Potential
Sexy Northener
In the Night

Oh, now this is good, too..! Love it! Everybody will dance and Through you are so blooming good

[alternativeformat]

My most beloved b-sides, sequenced for cadence:

Bright young things
It’s not a crime
Do I have to?
Miserablism
Bet she’s not your girlfriend
Paninaro
It must be obvious
Always
We all feel better in the dark
We’re the Pet Shop Boys

I could post my next 10, too, to fill in the gap between 2006 and 2024, but I'll be disciplined.

If you didn't see it the first time, check out the fantasy musical of b-sides I devised a couple of years ago: After the Event. It uses 18 favorites to tell a story.

[Pod]

In order of greatness:

1. Miserablism
2. A New Life
3. Paninaro
4. Decide
5. In His Imagination
6. We All Feel Better In The Dark
6. It Must Be Obvious
7. Bet She’s Not Your Girlfriend
8. Disco Potential
9. An Open Mind
10. Music For Boys

[lalolalo]

This top also includes how they could have been working on UK's charts if they had been released as singles.

1) Shameless: PSB always thought it was a mistake not to plan this song as a single, it was a perfect opener for "Very". Classic anthemic sound from PSB. An obvious Top 3, at least.
2) In the night: "The Clothes Show" made this melody famous in UK but I don't know why PSB wanted that like a b-side. An easy Top 5 with the help from BBC.
3) Paninaro: simple but quite addictive like Domino Dancing. Another Top 5 here.
4) A man could get arrested (original version): I don't know if some members of The Miami Sound Machine took part of it but it sounds like that. One of their best b-sides. A Top 10 here.
5) I didn't get where I am today: do you remember one Pet Text from Neil showing this song included on the tracklist of Release?. Another mistake recognaized by PSB themselves. A Top 15.
6) An open mind: the best b-side from PSB this decade.
7) Between two islands: a good song to be part of an album with a really good melody.
8 ) We all feel better in the dark: I Love the Performance's version and I adore the mix from Brothers In The Rythm.
9) The view from your balcony: I've always loved that song, I don't know why.
10) The calm before the storm: there is something so sweet and touching here that I put it on the list.

I kind of like this one.
An open mind is not from this decade, though.