Pet Shop Boys Community

There had always been, for me, a weaker song on each album: Later Tonight, Hit Music... With Bilingual, however, began what we might call a "strange," "experimental" song, or something similar. In this case, on Bilingual, it was Electricity. And they continued doing it almost as a "trademark." We got God Willing, Legacy, Pazzo, Wedding... In this category, I would include Happiness. The big difference is that this is the only one that doesn't strike me as B-side material or something from the lower end. In fact, I think it's a great song. The spoken-word part is almost hypnotic, Sylvia's backing vocals enhance the chorus, and the final part, when they extend the chorus with an extra melody, I Don't Need to Win... That part is truly brilliant

Happiness is an option got an airing at Obscure and it sounded alright, better live than on record, It's still a bit blow-hard, and has a pleasant enough lilt to it, but it's hardly essential. In any rankings it's got to be in lower tier. Why they payed this and not at least 10 other songs inc. That's my impression at Obscure is, erm, obscure.

Tom Angel wrote: Fri 17 Apr 2026, 3:04 pm Happiness is an option got an airing at Obscure and it sounded alright, better live than on record, It's still a bit blow-hard, and has a pleasant enough lilt to it, but it's hardly essential. In any rankings it's got to be in lower tier. Why they payed this and not at least 10 other songs inc. That's my impression at Obscure is, erm, obscure.

Maybe they like it.

One of those songs I never think about, but surprisingly enjoy when it comes on. The lyrics are nice, and I love the final "I don't have to win, you don't have to lose" with the backing vocals wailing along. The very definition of an album track.

NotInvisible wrote: Fri 17 Apr 2026, 3:32 pm One of those songs I never think about, but surprisingly enjoy when it comes on. The lyrics are nice, and I love the final "I don't have to win, you don't have to lose" with the backing vocals wailing along. The very definition of an album track.

With you on that final piece about the closing lines: It was quite an interesting choice for Obscure, wasn't it? I don't mind it, and really like the theme of the song and the sung pieces by Neil, but the talking/rap verses leave me a bit "meh". Mixed bag for sure.

I liked the way they paired this with Miserablism on the Friday night of Obscure, especially as the earlier song includes the line "Deny that happiness is open as an option."

Patrick Bateman wrote: Fri 17 Apr 2026, 7:46 am Track 113: Happiness is an Option
Chronology: Nightlife, Track 4

Is this the first time they were ordered to write a 'hit' for an album? That doesn't auger well. It's the kind of thing you tell a middling indie band to do on their second album, not the mighty Pet Shop Boys. I definitely used to like this more than I do now because it's obviously a Sweetbox rip-off. I suppose it shows how Nightlife is all over the place in terms of style - tracks from the musical, tracks written with different dance producers and something like this.

I'd forgotten about the Sweetbox song!

Here's a little medley...https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4iMsa ... x2imLw6zwQ

yeah not a fan of Happiness... sadly. Doesn't do a lot for me.

It’s alright, nothing more nothing less.

Track 114: You Only Tell Me You Love Me When You're Drunk
Chronology: Nightlife, Track 5

Obviously the best track on the album, a typically bittersweet ballad. It deserved to make the top ten, even if it was in the first week of the year. Love the video too - after the garish New York city boy, this was a reassuringly strong single and suggested they hadn't completely lost the plot.

It is of course now the signal for Neil to strap on his acoustic guitar and relive his Dust heyday.

Everything is great in Drunk, but the melody is spectacular, one of their best. You know how good it is from the very first "What a performance tonight...". Beautiful production too and the video was haunting.

I liked how organised the CD singles were: remixes / b-sides /live.

Yeah very nice track. Wouldn't say it was my favourite off the album but it's near the top. Good work. Nice video as well

For me Drunk is a top PSB song, an instant classic, as good as Rent.

So good to inspire extremely good remixes: Attaboy Mix (even if lyrics are not complete ), Brother Brown's Newt Mix Radio Edit, Hitmakers Brasil Extended Mix!

Patrick Bateman wrote: Wed 22 Apr 2026, 9:34 pm Track 114: You Only Tell Me You Love Me When You're Drunk
Chronology: Nightlife, Track 5

The best song from the Nightlife era by some margin - in fact one of the best Pet Shop Boys songs full stop. Absolutely gorgeous tune, gorgeous production, brilliant lyrics. I'd love Dolly to cover it.

NotInvisible wrote: Thu 23 Apr 2026, 2:24 pm

Patrick Bateman wrote: Wed 22 Apr 2026, 9:34 pm Track 114: You Only Tell Me You Love Me When You're Drunk
Chronology: Nightlife, Track 5

The best song from the Nightlife era by some margin - in fact one of the best Pet Shop Boys songs full stop. Absolutely gorgeous tune, gorgeous production, brilliant lyrics. I'd love Dolly to cover it.

It's been seen before, and will continue to be seen, that we often disagree, as is to be expected, especially regarding this album as a whole. But for this song, my opinion is exactly the same. Nothing more to add to the description you've already given.

If I had to choose their ten best songs, this would be one of them. The video is magnificent, one of their top five or six.

If I had to show someone who Pet Shop Boys are and what they're capable of with just one song, this would be one of the first I'd think of.
An absolute masterpiece. Nothing more, nothing less