Mope
by The Bloodhound Gang
Writers - Pop/Q-Ball
First released - 2000
Original album - Hooray for Boobies (The Bloodhound Gang)
Producer - Jimmy Pop, Pet Shop Boys
Subsequent albums - (none)
Other releases - single
Neil and Chris remixed this 2000 single by the virtually uncategorizable American band the Bloodhound Gang (perhaps "iconoclastic satirical punk dance bad-boy rap pop" sums them up), who are best known for "The Bad Touch," their hit from the same album, Hooray for Boobies. (The album title alone speaks volumes.) The Boys' remix applies a rapid "techno" synth line to the Bloodhound Gang original, which contains a truly remarkable set of samples borrowed from Falco's "Rock Me Amadeus," Frankie Goes to Hollywood's "Relax," and Metallica's "For Whom the Bell Tolls." In the process, they turn what is otherwise pretty much a comic white-boy-rap novelty record into a fantastic dance track—one that nevertheless retains its sharp comic edge.
The fact that the Boys were an apparent musical influence on the Bloodhound Gang probably explains how our musical heroes got this particular gig. It may even have been a form of "payback." After all, the music for the preceding single "The Bad Touch"—that of the infamous lyric "You and me, baby, ain't nothin' but mammals, so let's do it like they do on the Discovery Channel"—sounded as though it may have been largely based on PSB's "In the Night." There was enough of a difference, however, for Tennant and Lowe not to receive a co-writing credit. But at least with "Mope" the Boys could get credit for the remix.
Mixes/Versions
Officially released
Pet Shop Boys mixes only:
- Mixer: Pet Shop Boys
- Pet Shop Boys 7" remix (3:24)
- Pet Shop Boys Extended Mix (7:50)
- Pet Shop Boys Dub Mix (4:54)
- Pet Shop Boys Clever Dick Instrumental Mix (8:06)
- The latter mix, previously unreleased, has been made available for listening as an "exclusive track" on the official PSB website
List cross-references
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