Pet Shop Boys Community

Janet Street-Porter wrote:

Padster wrote:I thought the song was about the couple of Guys who were killed due to their sexuality - hence the dedication on Fundamental.

I know the suicide bombers theme was mentioned at the time of release but I did think that had been put to bed now - if I'm wrong let me know - I'm still intrigued by the lyrics of this song.

Now is the time of our lives
though it won't last long
We're strong and in spite of the fight
you sing this song
It's always a new day
in Heaven
There's always a new way
to Heaven

You are my brother
I'm really gonna miss you
You are my brother
You gonna take me with you?
You are my brother
forever

Where do we stand
in this land?
We're invisible now
Clean and prepared
to be led
Indivisible
It's always forever
in Heaven
We'll all be together
in Heaven

You are my brother
I'm really gonna miss you
You are my brother
You gonna take me with you?

We'll be together
Now and forever

I know that it won't be that long
until the hour
Free and released from the world
It feels like power

You are my brother
I'm really gonna miss you
You are my brother
You gonna take me with you?
You are my brother
I'm really gonna miss you
You are my brother
You gonna take me with you?

As well as the aeroplane sounds, the lyrics intimate what it's about too.

I do take your point Janet - But we all know words are open to interpretation and if thats what you want to read in these lyrics then fine.

I actually read it from the point of view of being gay in a society which treats them as invisible Where do we stand in this land? We're invisible now and the ultimate sacrifice (if thats the correct choice of words) is being hanged for being gay in the line I know that it won't be that long until the hour, Free and released from the world and for the love you feel for your partner (or brother).

I never took the title fugitive to be around the war on terror but more the fight of minorities striving to get along in this world. The aeroplane noise again really could mean anything - planes are also a means of escape hence the link with a fugitive - a means of escape or an arrival in a foreign land?

Just my forepenneth - not dissing anyone - but it does just go to show how differently lyrics can be interpreted.

I never took the title fugitive to be around the war on terror but more the fight of minorities striving to get along in this world. The aeroplane noise again really could mean anything - planes are also a means of escape hence the link with a fugitive - a means of escape or an arrival in a foreign land?

Just my forepenneth - not dissing anyone - but it does just go to show how differently lyrics can be interpreted.[/quote]

Exactly! I never try to dig every twisted meaning. It's useless and I'd rather agree with Padster - jet sounds doen't mean war at all.
Padster, there're too many PSB songs that could be interpreted in 2 or even 3 ways. It gives us an opportunity to fight about these meanings and...well, sometimes we come to things what Neil would never even think about.

The fact is that if Fugitive was played on the radio, hardly anyone would think "oh my God, are they singing about suicide bombers - PSB need to die!!". This is a fanboard where lyrics are dissected. The message of Fugitive is not obvious. I bet most people wouldn't think twice about the lyrics or if they did pay attention, they'd assume it was some song about love or friendship.

They could even edit out the aeroplane noises - it's not as if they're integral to the track anyway.

Well i agree it's open to interpretation, and the plane noise at the start could be anything, etc

But I generally think it's fairly clear what the song is about. And if it was releases as a single then it would be a definate talking point for a DJ introducing the song.

The plane noise at the start is very striking.

I'm really not sure what to think about their political outlook sometimes. I'm all in favor of having empathy for people on the other side of the fence. But maybe they could balance it out with a song about a terrorist victim or something, and not just make easy pickings of western failings.

But I guess thats just as likely as Madonna denouncing Islam for it's treatment of women. It's much easier for her to appear on a cross - it's an easy target, and nobody cares.

BlueSwan wrote:The fact is that if Fugitive was played on the radio, hardly anyone would think "oh my God, are they singing about suicide bombers - PSB need to die!!". This is a fanboard where lyrics are dissected. The message of Fugitive is not obvious. I bet most people wouldn't think twice about the lyrics or if they did pay attention, they'd assume it was some song about love or friendship.

That's right- for the first time the line "you're my brother..." sounds more like "you're night lover". I never even thought about any kind of bombers.

The tone of the song makes it very clear it's not a traditional love song. It's got menace.

Besides, you seem to forget that it's the lead track of a CD called Fundamentalism. Whatever they originally meant with the lyrics, the PSB obviously knew that it could be interpreted that way.

jasonjohn wrote:I'm really not sure what to think about their political outlook sometimes. I'm all in favor of having empathy for people on the other side of the fence. But maybe they could balance it out with a song about a terrorist victim or something, and not just make easy pickings of western failings.

But I guess thats just as likely as Madonna denouncing Islam for it's treatment of women. It's much easier for her to appear on a cross - it's an easy target, and nobody cares.

I don't think Fugitive is necessarily sympathetic towards suicide bombers. It's simply a song written from the point of view of one.

Listen "Please" in my home CD-player right now. Back to the long-standing original question:

Actually wrote:Am i the only one who can hear a slight touch of "Love comes quickly" in the background of Fugitive, if you can hear past all the other awesome sound effects ?
Fugitive is way too good to be hidden on a bonus disc.

Sorry, can't share your opinion, but "Fugitive" (and other songs from "Fundamental/ism", for the most part) seems to me to be highly affected by "Please", at all: the most evident connections has "Two Divided by Zero" (lyrics, in part) and (don't know, don't sure: why?) "Tonight Is Forever". I've noticed this not for the first time.

I think it's about suicide bombers. I knew nothing about this track when I first heard it. Before the lyrics had even started I had gained an idea what it might be about and the lyrics just confirmed it.

ahh..fugitive. the best thing to come out of the "fundamental" era...and most likely the best song psb have made in 13 years.......and knowing it will never be a single irritates me to no end. damn you neil and chris! (in a good way of course)

jasonjohn wrote:The tone of the song makes it very clear it's not a traditional love song. It's got menace.

Most of my favorite PSB songs do.

I've tried to get my head around the idea that Fugitive is about the hangings of those teens in Iran. I suppose you can try to think so.

It isn't one soaring jet sound, it's two distinct jets. (listen with headphones). The song properly starts with a literal Bang!! at 00.35 Two jets and impact. The lyrics Janet posted carry this out. It's pretty much willful ignorance to deny that it's about 9/11.

Still a great track-their best of the 21st cent, imho-, but a single? I'd hope instead for some amazing new stuff in 2007, I'm sure they're capable of it. Here's hoping.

(ps. I played "Fugitive" this past summer for my 21 yr old cousin from Ireland and his university friend from England (both smart, politically engaged guys with excellent taste btw.) I got the distinct impression that Fugitive was a giant turn-off for them, sonic beauty aside. I think they found the theme, and PSB, slightly depraved for writing it. )

jasonjohn wrote: I'm really not sure what to think about their political outlook sometimes. I'm all in favor of having empathy for people on the other side of the fence. But maybe they could balance it out with a song about a terrorist victim or something, and not just make easy pickings of western failings.

You killed my brother
I'm really going to kill you
You killed my brother
Your blood is going to spill too


I dunno. I prefer the more provocative stuff, myself.

Drico.