Search - Pet Shop Boys :: Did You See Me Coming? Pt.1

Tepid single, fantastic b-side

Westley | Stuck in my head | 06/04/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The second single from Pet Shop Boy's superb new CD "Yes" is "Did You See Me Coming?" The song is very pop-ish and sounds to me like a cross between "Yesterday When I Wad Mad" from their classic "Very" CD and the Beatles-esque "I Get Around" from "Release." However, I think DYSMC is considerably more sedate and therefore less fun than either of those singles. It needed to be slightly more over-the-top to work better. Frankly, I'm disappointed that it was selected as a single, especially when there are so many other better songs on "Yes," particularly "King of Rome" and fan-favorite "The Way It Used to Be."



The CD single also includes one b-side, "After the Event." The song demonstrates why I love PSB so much - they put so much effort into their b-sides. The song is rather mellow and sophisticated with what sounds like xylophone music starting off the track. "After the Event" is in the same vein as several other songs on "Yes," such as "Vulnerable," and would have sounded great on that CD. The lyrics are wonderful although a bit cryptic. They describe a typical day filled with optimism - "Looks like someone's smiling, happy to be here, blues skies heaven-sent." However, this perfect day is punctuated by the titular "event" - Evening comes as a surprise/ Suddenly someone dies. Superficially the Boys seem to be describing the death of Princess Diana, especially with the lyric "Everyone's over-reacting/ with clichés and bad acting." Perhaps, though, they are simply describing horrible events in general and the reactions they provoke. By being cryptic, the song really draws in the listener, which is what the best work of PSB always does. "After the Event" makes this CD single well worth purchasing.



Note: The digital version of this single (the reviews are linked to both the digital and physical single) also contains the recent medley the Boys created for the Brit Awards Show when they received the very prestigious award for "Outstanding Contribution to Music" (an award previously bestowed on such legends as Paul McCartney, U2, and Elton John). The medley cleverly weaves together so many of their greatest hits: (1) Suburbia, (2) Love Etc., (3) Left to My Own Devices, (4) Always On My Mind, (5) Paninaro, (6) Go West, (7) Opportunities (Let's Make Lots of Money), (8) What Have I Done to Deserve This?, (9) Domino Dancing, (10) I'm With Stupid, (11) Being Boring, (12) It's a Sin, (13) All Over The World, and (14) West End Girls. I don't think, however, that this version is from the live telecast; it seems to have been pieced together in the studio. For example, "What Have I Done to Deserve This?" definitely includes Dusty Springfield's vocals, which were sung by Lady Gaga on the telecast. Although I wish that they had included the live version here as well, the medley is fantastic - a real treat for their many loyal fans!"