Pet Shop Boys reveal original demo tapes in new BBC documentary

09 April 2024 - Press release

In imagine…Pet Shop Boys: Then and Now for BBC One and iPlayer, Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe reveal some of their earliest demo tapes of songs for the first time on television, including West End Girls

 

Pet Shop Boys are the most successful duo in UK Music history. They have sold more than 50 million records, produced over 40 Top 40 singles, four UK number ones, performed in several world tours, and they are still making new music together.

Later in April, Pet Shop Boys are releasing a new album produced by Arctic Monkeys/Blur producer James Ford, which comes 40 years after the original release of their classic debut single West End girls. imagine… is given a sneak preview of the album and talks to Tennant and Lowe about its creation and their evolution over the past four decades: pioneering, original, highly influential but always maintaining the integrity and quality of their inimitable style, sound and song-writing. Alongside the interview, for the first time on television they share what record producer Stuart Price refers to as ‘the holy grail of pop music’ - some of Pet Shop Boys’ original and revelatory 1980s demo tapesincluding West End Girls.

Tennant/Lowe songs have often commented on Britain and the world around them with wit, sensitivity and intelligence, driving the stories they want to share through some of the most memorable electronic-pop music ever created. For their tours they have worked with the most innovative theatre personnel to create original and thrilling performances. Now for the first time they have allowed backstage access as imagine… accompanies them on their global Dreamworld tour, filming rehearsals in London and backstage in Helsinki. Contributors include fellow musicians Brandon Flowers, Jake Shears, Olly Alexander, Marc Almond; music journalist Miranda Sawyer, and creative collaborators Stuart Price, James Ford, Es Devlin, Javier De Frutos, Tom Scutt and Mark Farrow.

imagine… is a BBC Studios Specialist Factual Production for BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Alan Yentob is the Series Editor; Executive Producer is Tanya Hudson and the Producer/Director is Louise Lockwood. It was commissioned for BBC Arts by Mark Bell.