Pet Shop Boys Community

Because the album version is average at best and the single edit was awful. Poor choice for a single.

I hate the double negatives in Numb - they just don't sound at all right in Neil's mouth. Let's face it, it's basically an Aerosmith song.

Maybe a new version of Numb without double negatives, but still credited to Dianne Warren?

dVTB wrote:I think repeating the middle-8 sounds too forced and too desperate.

I call that edit the Parlophone edit. "Can we do that climax bit again? I liked that."

Numb is king. I love it. I love the way Neil sings it, you can feel his uncertain voice, its like a tremble, its as if he is in the very position of feeling numb when all around him makes little or no sense.

Sometimes you've gota listen to the story of the words, how their sung, and why.

The music is incredibly uplifting, the thrilling start then it goes down a peg and Neil's scared voice just takes me to the place he imagines he is when he's feeling numb.

And then theres a crescendo towards the end when after the story he tells he sees some light in the distance, theres hope for him and everyone who feels like him. Then right at the end he's kinda relaxed with the madness.

Some of my friends, who really don't like the Boys, mention this as one of the best songs they ever released. That really surprised me. Don't get me wrong. Numb is a great song. Simple but sincere lyrics. Sung with one of the greatest fragile voices on the planet. Great musical arangement. If all you disliking fans listen without prejudice you might change your mind. What does it matter who wrote the song? I think it's cool they do different things then expected from them and still give it their touch.

pet shop boy wrote:Numb is king. I love it. I love the way Neil sings it, you can feel his uncertain voice, its like a tremble, its as if he is in the very position of feeling numb when all around him makes little or no sense.

Sometimes you've gota listen to the story of the words, how their sung, and why.

The music is incredibly uplifting, the thrilling start then it goes down a peg and Neil's scared voice just takes me to the place he imagines he is when he's feeling numb.

And then theres a crescendo towards the end when after the story he tells he sees some light in the distance, theres hope for him and everyone who feels like him. Then right at the end he's kinda relaxed with the madness.

You said it PERFECT!!! That's exactly the way I feel about this gem! Let's not forget the "chanting" at the very beginning in the intro, before Neil starts singing-almost a "religious" moment!

I read somewhere here Numb is about a dying mother... any truth about it?

I love Numb, album version only though.

The video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nj7dEkMoPws

According to the PSB Literally fanzine,
"the song describes the desire to sequester oneself from the world due to traumatic experiences it has brought about, it has been observed that the song can be interpreted as a reaction to terrorism and the state of the world brought about in its aftermath".

It is fabulous. I love Numb!

fabpet wrote:I read somewhere here Numb is about a dying mother... any truth about it?

I always thought it's be a song about Sept 11th!

Our generation was making a better world.
But from the assassination of the Kennedys to the lies to invade Iraq,
that was taken from us,
and the world has slipped into ...
madness.

You can only care for so long,
then you are just,
Numb.

Now listen to the lyrics.

Numb is one of THE most beautiful songs the PSB have ever released, really.

I love Numb, althugh I don't think I've played my single version of it.