This is a cover of a song more commonly associated with Elvis. It wasn't originally intended as a single, but was recorded for an Evlis Presley tribute TV show. The public's reaction to the song when the show was broadcast convinced them to release it as a single and it went straight to number 1.

Not only was this No. 1 for 4 weeks in 1987 it’s one of 4 songs they always play live on tour. It was voted the best cover version of a song ever in the UK.

@petraleopold2713

9 ай бұрын

deff one of the best covers ever!

Infamous for keeping 'Fairytale of New York', the best ever Christmas song, off the top of the UK singles chart Christmas 1987. Edit: I always imagined that the long note you noticed was a guitar, with Chris being a rock god in the studio. Probably synth though. Definitely not voice.

@izzyworld8068

Жыл бұрын

I think it was a synth although it could be a rare (for that time) guitar? Being an Elvis track they may have let it pass 😊

As John said, this wax for an Elvis Tribute show with different artists at the time doing a track. They definitely stood out , not only because it was the most sonically different version but because of their appearance. Others singing had 50s diner style sets or drive-ins, but the PSB were dressed head to toe in black leather including the caps, akin to Marlon Brando and obviously the Gay scene, and walking along a set that was an abandoned railway track in the desert. The railway theme was probably prompted by the sample at the start of the track sounding like a steam train and the chugging beat. Then that prolonged high note sounds like a railway whistle. The track, as John stated proved so popular it was released as a single and included in their arthouse semi-autobiograhical movie "It Couldn't Happen Here" and the single used the movie interpretation with other clips of the movie to pad it out, visually.

I remember this being played many times on rotation at the local roller rink we used to go to every Saturday, Sunday. Holy shit, I am that old. 😆

They dropped one word out of the original Elvis version and had to ask permission by the publishers to do so. What was word they dropped? "GIRL"

There were two 12inch singles. One had the extended version, produced by the same team as the 7inch. The second 12inch was the PWL remix, but i will discuss that on your accompanying Introspective album version "Always On My Mind/In My House" .

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Found it ❤❤❤❤

It was a very well known song even at the time they covered it. In addition to it being one of Elvis' most popular songs, it was also a #1 country hit in 1982 by Willie Nelson. That cover won Song of the Year at the Grammys in 1983. Of course, it was a ballad as compared to Pet Shop Boys' dance pop hit.

"Always On My Mind" was a hit for Willie Nelson in 1982 (Billboard # 5). This PSB single went to # 4 on the Billboard singles chart in 1988. The 12" version of this mix is the one that topped the dance charts. The version on Introspective is a interesting but ultimately forgotten hot mess. The guy who wrote the song was appalled at PSB for "ruining his song". However, as far as I know, he took the small fortune that their version made for him without comment. He wrote the song as a sentimental (sappy?) ballad. And that's how Willie, Elvis, Brenda, and all the other countless singers had presented it. The Pet Shop Boys came along and turned it into a dancefloor anthem. That's what they do. A decided improvement IMO.

What do Elvis, Willie Nelson and Pet Shop Boys have in common? Now you know! Here PSB put their spin on a ballad that had already been a hit for other artists. I do prefer this more energetic version to the remix Matt also reacted to. I really like the movement in the "lower strings" synth. Neil's vocals seem to float through this. And I don't mind that this danceable version belies the emotional sentiment of the lyrics. That is sometimes true with PSB own songs which can have more serious subject matter to a disco beat. This is just fun to hear!