West End Girls: the one and only song that made PSB a global pop group

[Nickname]

PSB are an International pop duo. The success of them has been amazingly relevant in UK, Ireland, Germany and Spain. Quite relevant in South America too. But when you talk about US, Asia, Australia look obvious their relevance and success is not so big.

Charts of each country used to reflect how big and influential PSB were getting on each country. But only one song made PSB a real global act almost everywhere.

As you know in US, PSB were part of the Second English Invasion in the 80's. At that time, British music was the best in the planet. A Number 1 hit in UK was Number 1 in US many times. But to be honest, when you are successful in US, you are successful almost everywhere because of its influence in the rest of the world.

PSB had some Top 10 in US but only one was Number 1 and you know this song is West End Girls. No other PSB song could get the top but at least there was a time they were really global. They even went to MTV Video Music Awards (the original US version) and even were invited to a premiere of a movie of Michael Jackson (I'm sure MJ loved West End Girls, this is the kind of song MJ could love from PSB, even the original version of the song has the same rhythm Billie Jean has) in Disneyland like they were part of the global showbusiness. I suppose they talk about it in the book "PSB vs America", I haven't readed.

Today, only West End girls can break the bounderies any other song can't that makes for example black people from US and other people from other global nations outside Europe react to the song.

That's why is the most streamed song from PSB too even when the best selling single is Always on my mind.

[Constantin V.]

In Russia, millions of people know the song Paninaro’95, even those who are far from music. Songs playing on the radio all the time: it's a sin, rent, so hard, go west. In 1999, Closer to heaven could be heard every 30 minutes. Rarer songs are now being played on 2-3 stations: shameless, I want a dog, for example. In Russia, they are considered a cult band at the depeche mode level. Even Russian rock musicians are interested in their music and recommend listening to it. Officially, the pet shop boys themselves do not know this.

[Gabby]

My understanding is that PSB had pretty decent hits in North America from Please and Actually era. What have I done to deserve this? and It's a Sin weren't nothing here either. I don't think Heart got much coverage though. Domino Dancing did get some attention but it was the video that contributed to their downfall in North America - something which still completely confounds me to be honest. Homo-eroticism on the beach aside, there was one REALLY hot woman in the video too, and yet all we're gonna focus on is the two buff guys going fisticuffs in the waves? Really USA? Really?

[somdigital]

I cannot agree with "only West End girls".
It's true that the imperial phase ruled obtaining their greatest hits. If West End girls didn't happened, we'd always have Suburbia, It's a sin and Always on my mind (maybe What have I done to deserve this? and Domino dancing, too). After that phase, Go West and Se a vida é (that's the way life is) were enourmous hits that remained in music history.

[Too Many Shadows]

Fun to argue. Ultimately, one global hit is all it takes. A second maybe adds to your chances of some degree of longevity, but it doesn’t make you twice as global.

[Gabby]

This makes me think of bands like The Tragically Hip and Barenaked Ladies here in Canada. HUGE, HUGE acts here, and for BNL's in the USA as well, but elsewhere it's like "Oh that band who did One Week" and then ceased to exist.

I believe Falco pretty unstoppable in Germany right up until his untimely death, but elsewhere he's just "Rock Me Amadeus" and in North America particularly more known for "Der Komisar"

For us PSB are huge, but just some places don't see them as anything more than a one hit wonder.

I bet there are a ton of other examples across the globe.

[innerxsanctum]

I don’t understand why you keep making broad statements based solely on your own personal experience, when the reality is very different if you took the time to talk to international Petheads (and I mean truly international, not just European fans).

In Latin America, for instance, the Boys became huge with Domino Dancing and hit a cultural peak with Very. Here, Se a vida é is regularly played on the radio, far more than Always on my mind or West End girls.

Your post feels dismissive of non-Anglo countries, and honestly, it’s missing a larger perspective on what defines cultural impact. I thought we’d moved past the idea that chart success equals cultural significance (think Taylor Swift with TTPD versus Charli xcx with Brat as a clear example.)

Also, I’d recommend actually reading the material you quote. You wouldn’t cite a source you haven’t read in a paper or dissertation. And just a side note, Captain EO is a short film, not a full-length movie.

[jasonjohn]

What other groups do you like, Nickname?

[Nickname]

In Latin America, for instance, the Boys became huge with Domino Dancing and hit a cultural peak with Very. Here, Se a vida é is regularly played on the radio, far more than Always on my mind or West End girls.

You didn't read what I said.

"PSB are an International pop duo. The success of them has been amazingly relevant in UK, Ireland, Germany and Spain. Quite relevant in South America too".

I was talking about US basically and some parts of the globe (ex: South Africa). Top 5 of charts of 15 countries. Not only Europe.

In fact, the original version of the song could be listened in series like "Moonlighting" and the more known version in "The Simpsons". Of course, it was something more than the others. They even appeared in a show like "Soul Train" just because West End girls had some elements of black music (it was a rap).

[Nickname]

What other groups do you like, Nickname?

Groups and solo artists:
Michael Jackson, Madonna, George Michael, Queen, David Bowie, Aerosmith, David Bowie, U2, Prince, Janet Jackson, etc.

And the Spanish: Tino Casal (this man had been a International hit maker if he had wanted), Azul y Negro, Alaska, La Unión, Mecano (the most famous Spanish group in Spain), Miguel Bosé, Alejandro Sanz, La Oreja de Van Gogh, Monica Naranjo and also Joaquín Sabina.