Track-by-Track: From Please to Nonetheless

[davidctecno]

Track 120 : New York City Boy
Chronology: Nightlife, Track 11

A vibrant and energetic disco/pop anthem of the late '90s, celebrating freedom, urban life and disco culture. It is seen as an homage to the energy of New York and a spiritual sequel to "Go West". Great video fimed in London ( No in NY). It sounds more like Village People than Go West itself.

[Gabby]

I don't mind New York city boy particularly, but these continual attempts to reinvent the (Go West) wheel really put a damper on my enjoyment of PSB at the time.

Looking at the year (1999) this would probably be around the time I was in a PSB funk, and discovered Way Out West and Ganymede, which filled the void.

Getting back to the actual song, I think the French version(s) are a quaint touch, and actually help me to enjoy the song more.
And in fairness to the Boys, as the previous poster said, they did successfully create a Village People song that isn't a Village People song.

[Kompakt&Bijou]

Track 119 : In Denial
Chronology: Nightlife, Track 10

Apologies for jumping back to this one, but did you know that In Denial features quite heavily in Paul Morley's book 'Words and Music: A History of Pop in the Shape of a City'? It's an alternative history of pop, which insists the story starts not with American guitar players but with European experimentalists and electronic pioneers. If like Paul Morley, it's rather brilliant. Anyway, one of his thesis is that 'Can't Get You Of My Head' by Kylie is the highest point of music, channelling as it does the city, Kraftwerk and reinvention. And he dates Kylie's re-invention to her appearance as a featured artist on this very song. Interestingly he reminds us that Kylie was also at the lowest ebb of her career at this point too and whilst he doesn't dwell on the song, beyond its strangeness he argues it gave her the credibilty, the confidence and the space to reinvent herself fully.

I rather like the song and its lyrics. I can imagine it being played on Radio 2 daytime, perhaps with edits for the lyrics. It has that laid back, clear style which is more popular now.

[Capsigrany]

I think that NYC boy was a good single and it still is. Agree completely on that it’s a “Village People song”. The album version is fantastic as it brings you sonically to a disco journey through the late 70s. PSBs general perception at the time was a bit odd but it still remains as a big hit. I only complain on the recent live renditions as it sounds a bit lame to me, a bit soft.

[Lleonard Pler]

I have fond memories as it was heavily played at gay clubs when I started going out. It felt like spoke to me at that time.

Yes it's a reheated nachos business, another attempt of a new Go West but I think they managed to match their ambitions this time. It sounds like they rescued a forgotten classic.

Also I only consider the full album version, as the radio edits cut the best parts and transitions. At 2:56 when the choir grows while Neil sings "You feel the deal is real"... Sorry but feel goosebumps everytime.

The orchestra is great too (like in all Nightlife), how lovely the instrumental break before the last chorus.

All in all it was a great single choice and it was a smash in Spain.

[NOBODY75]

It's a fantastic track. And I think it would have been even better with a female backing vocalist. Being a tribute to late 70s disco, a collaboration with Donna Summer, Gloria Gaynor, and Diana Ross on backing vocals would have been incredible. It hurt its chart performance because by 1999 Pets were already declining in popularity no matter what they released, and the existence of Go West also worked against it. But this song, from Pets' prime (1986-1993), is a contender for a number one hit.

[Xakrij]

If I never hear this song again it will be too soon

[Towa]

I think I have written this before in some other thread, but here I go again

I’m a bit torn here, while I’m not that fond of New York city boy in its Nightlife context (it one of the tracks that I would like to remove from the album to make it better and more coherent), I DO love the full-length disco extravaganza of the long Morales mix!

To me it’s not an attempt to make a new Go West, no, to me it is a wonderful homage to 70s disco and especially to old Salsoul 12” singles — they even got some of the original Salsoul musicians on it! But yeah, it has to be the 12” version, the album and single versions has non-period drums etc that break the illusion.

[telys]

NYC Boy has nothing in common with Go West. 2 completely different styles.
PSB version of Go West strips away anything Village People .As Elton John said once "A much better version".
New York city boy is a great tune, but lyrically it has no place on Nightlife. The arrangement might be reminiscent of some kind of late 70s disco to some ears but I would say it has its own merit.

[Disco.]

A very good song, some great remixes, was a rather big radio hit in Europe.

[NotInvisible]

NYC Boy has nothing in common with Go West.

Eh, they're both camp high-energy dance tracks with male choirs. Definitely in the same family - cousins, if not exactly brothers.

I've never connected with New York City Boy. There's a lot of baggage to unpack with this one, which people have already discussed upthread. Sometimes I try to analyze tracks I dislike, to see whether I'm reacting to the song or to the stuff around the song - the 'trying to reclaim past glory' etc. So I ask myself, "Would I like this song if it was by anyone else?"

And the answer here is no.

[ahafan02]

If I never hear this song again it will be too soon

I agree with you. Words cannot express how much I despise this song. It's easily their worst single. The faux Village People pastiche just doesn't work.

[Patrick Bateman]

New York city boy is the best argument for PSB splitting up after Very. It is popular on streaming, played at Dreamworld concerts and plenty of people love it but let's face it, the cool PSB of the imperial phase would never have countenanced it.

It's the sound of Neil slapping his thigh, a peacock regaling his fans about the time their friend did a dance when they won a game of dominoes. It's national treasure status, charity singles and David Walliams in the VIP area. Do you have a message for your fans? Trump, Trump, Trump. Dropping limited editions while you're at work. £500 teapots. You'll never have a bored day.

[NotInvisible]

It's the sound of Neil slapping his thigh, a peacock regaling his fans about the time their friend did a dance when they won a game of dominoes. It's national treasure status, charity singles and David Walliams in the VIP area. Do you have a message for your fans? Trump, Trump, Trump. Dropping limited editions while you're at work. £500 teapots. You'll never have a bored day.

I loathe New York City Boy, but this riff describes such a minor strain of Pet Shop Boys' forty years that it barely even qualifies as parody.

Although god help me if I ever see another thigh slap...

[Patrick Bateman]

I agree with you. Words cannot express how much I despise this song. It's easily their worst single. The faux Village People pastiche just doesn't work.

I'm surprised Matthew Kelly didn't get a co-write.