Past PSB Survey Results - 2006 Surveys

This page presents the results of surveys I conducted in the year 2006. The results of surveys conducted in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 appear on separate pages.

Note: The response in each survey that received the most votes is highlighted in bold red. I usually list the responses in descending order according to the number of votes, but in a few cases I've decided that the results may be clearer or more meaningful if I list them in some other order. Incidentally, I do vote in my own surveys—and, yes, I vote only once. More often than not, what I vote for doesn't come in first place. In the results below, the symbol ¤ appears after the item(s) that I voted for in each survey.

Survey 290 - Week of December 31, 2006
What would you like to be released in 2007? (308 voters)

If it were up to you to pick two-no more, no fewer-of the following potential Pet Shop Boys-related audio and/or video recordings to be released in 2007, which would you choose?*

31.2% - CD reissues of Nightlife and Release with "Further Listening" bonus discs
25.3% - Their film It Couldn't Happen Here on DVD
24.4% - Alternative 2: a 2-CD set compiling their post-Alternative single b-sides/bonus tracks
22.7% - DiscoVery - Live in Rio on DVD
20.8% - The film Battleship Potemkin with the Tennant/Lowe score on DVD ¤
20.5% - Their musical Closer to Heaven on DVD ¤
18.8% - Highlights—or, better yet, their complete MCMLXXXIX tour show—on DVD
13.3% - Collaborations: a CD (or 2-CD set) compiling previously released PSB colborations with other artists
11.0% - A CD reissue of Relentless
08.8% - Their 2002 Release tour show on DVD
03.2% - Something else not listed here**

*Because voters could select two items rather than just one, the percentage figures—which represent the percentage of voters who selected each item—total to roughly 200% instead of 100%.

**Please note that I disallowed two possible choices from the voting: an album of all-new material (who wouldn't vote for that?) and a DVD of the Fundamental tour live show (because it has already been announced by the PSB organization that we can expect such a release in 2007). Alternate choices described by voters included the following:

"Integral"—the single (with remixes and bonus tracks).

A box set of the Boys' singles, some prominent album tracks (including Potemkin), live versions, demos of songs produced for others (as wll as songs from Closer to Heaven), a few (good) remixes, and, of course, their b-sides and bonus tracks (along with some truly fabulous liner notes and photos).

"Fugitive" as a single, because it begs to be remixed.

The first four singles ("West End Girls," "Opportunities," "Love Comes Quickly," and "Suburbia") on CD.

A remix box set, "including the increasing amount that never has been commercially released (promo only) and the few totally unreleased as well."

"Pet Shop Boys' unreleased songs and demo recordings 1981–2006."

Disco 4, featuring remixes of Fundamental tracks, including some that weren't released as singles.

Survey 289 - Week of December 24, 2006
PSB Event/Release of the Year for 2006 (322 voters)

By any reckoning, 2006 has been an extraordinary year for the Pet Shop Boys. If you had to pick just one of the following as the "Event/Release of the Year" for them, what would it be?

62.4% - Fundamental (and its bonus disc Fundamentalism) ¤
12.4% - The Fundamental Tour
08.4% - The Pet Shop Boys: A Life in Pop documentary and DVD
04.3% - The Mermaid Theatre concert and the resulting live album Concrete
04.0% - The book Pet Shop Boys Catalogue
02.5% - Their remix of Madonna's "Sorry"
01.9% - The "Minimal" single
01.6% - The "I'm with Stupid" single
00.9% - The "Numb" single
00.9% - Something else not listed here*
00.6% - Their collaboration with Robbie Williams, "She's Madonna"

*Alternate choices selected or at least suggested by voters included the following:

The BBC World Cup montage set to "Numb"

Their appearance on "Dancing with the Stars"

Their performance of Battleship Potemkin at the shipyard on May 1

"I was lucky enough to fly over from Wigan (!) to LA and see them on 'Dancing with The Stars', then meet and chat with them at the Virgin store signing. We then went backstage on 'The Late, Late Show' and spent time with them again. A dream come true—they were friendly, warm and made us feel so comfortable. That was the highlight of my year, along with my Civil Partnership being signed to 'Go West' in front of family and friends."

"PSB's choice to ask Trevor Horn to produce their new album, and promote it with the BBC Radio 2 concert."

"You expect us to choose just one?!"

Survey 288 - Week of December 17, 2006
How do you feel about remixes in general? (281 voters)

Setting aside the matter of who does the remixing, which of the following statements comes closest to expressing how you feel about remixes in general—especially remixes of Pet Shop Boys tracks?

40.6% - I like remixes in general, although quite a few of them are a waste. ¤
18.9% - Occasionally there's a remix that I really like, but in general I can do without them.
17.8% - I like "extended versions," but aside from those I don't much care for remixes.
14.2% - I love remixes! The more the better!
04.3% - I don't like remixes. I wouldn't mind if there weren't any remixes at all!
02.1% - I have an opinion very different from any of those expressed here.*
01.1% - I really don't care about remixes one way or the other.
00.7% - Remixes are good for collecting, but not much else.
00.4% - Remixes are good for dancing, but not much else.

*Among the alternate opinions provided were the following excerpts:

"As long as they resemble partly the original song the remix is intended to, I like them (as well to collect to)."

"I cannot bear the remixes which hardly resemble the original."

"I loved the song 'London' on Release, and bought some CDs with remixes, and all were terrible, stripping the vocal and giving me mindless drivel. Don't remixers realize we want the vocal?"

"What the world really needs is a twenty-minute PSB maxi-mix of "Boy Strange.'"

Survey 287 - Week of December 10, 2006
Any CD deterioration? (261 voters)

Have any of your Pet Shop Boys (or other) CDs shown signs of "bronzing" (aka "CD rot") or other forms of physical deterioration?*

35.2% - None of my CDs have shown signs of deterioration, but I've heard of this happening to others.
34.5% - No, I've never even heard of CD deterioration before!
14.9% - None of my PSB CDs have shown signs of deterioration, but some of my other CDs have!
11.1% - Yes, but only one or two of my PSB CDs have shown signs of deterioration. ¤
04.2% - Yes, several of my PSB CDs have shown signs of deterioration!

*Several people suggested some additional options:

"I haven't checked for CD rot in any of my CDs."

"I've never heard of CD/DVD deterioration, butyou made me start worrying for my CDs."

"None of my CDs or DVDs that I know of has suffered from CD-rot, but I have heard about it from others."

Survey 286 - Week of December 3, 2006
What do you think of the idea of a "PSB ballet"? (308 voters)

On at least two separate recent occasions the Pet Shop Boys have told interviewers that they're thinking about writing a ballet. Which of the following statements comes closest to expressing how you feel about this?

22.1% - "I think it's a terrible idea!"
20.8% - "I think it's a wonderful idea!"
14.9% - "They should do whatever they want to do, regardless of any other considerations." ¤
11.9% - "It's OK as long as it's 'electronic' and/or very 'modern-sounding.'"
07.8% - "It's OK as long as most of us actually get to see it, such as on DVD."
06.2% - "I'm not sure what to think."
05.5% - "It's OK as long as it doesn't reduce the amount or frequency of more 'typical' releases."
04.5% - "I have mixed feelings about it."
02.6% - "I really don't care about it one way or the other."
02.3% - "It's OK as long as there are plenty of fast, uptempo pieces."
01.0% - "I usually don't care much for instrumentals, but I wouldn't mind it as long as it includes at least some songs with vocals."
00.6% - "I guess it would depend on what the 'story' of the ballet is about."
00.0% - "I have an opinion very different from any of those expressed here."

Survey 285 - Week of November 26, 2006
Should Relentless be reissued? (367 voters)

Would you like for Relentless to be reissued?

33.0% - Yes, but only if it includes bonus tracks.
24.0% - No—I like the idea of having something "rare."
20.2% - Yes, absolutely! I don't have it yet!
15.8% - Yes—I have it, but so that those who don't have it can get it. ¤
04.6% - I have no opinion about this one way or the other.
01.4% - No—I don't like Relentless.
01.1% - No—I don't like reissues in general.*

*Also, at least four voters specifically expressed an additional viewpoint: "Yes, but only if it's remastered." I'm sure many other voters would agree, myself included. In fact, I had considered including that among the choices in this poll. But I figured that it was a "given"—that Relentless simply wouldn't be reissued without being remastered. Perhaps I'm wrong about that. Rightly or wrongly, that's why I left it out, although in retrospect I regret that I did. Also, several others expressed concern about the deterioration of the original disc ("CD rot") and said that they wanted a new copy if for no other reason than that.

Survey 284 - Week of November 19, 2006
Favorite mix of "Minimal" (243 voters)

Not counting the album or single version, what is your favorite mix of "Minimal"?

34.2% - "I don't feel I'm familiar enough with these mixes to choose."
15.6% - The M Factor Mix ¤
14.4% - Tocadisco's Sunday at Space Mix
12.3% - Some other mix not listed here*
09.9% - The Lobe Remix
03.7% - U-MYX - Chris Lowe's Summer Mix
03.3% - The Telex Heaven Remix
03.3% - Tiga's M-I-N-I-M-A-L Remix
01.6% - The Telex Hell Remix
00.8% - The Radio Slave Mix
00.8% - One of the other U-MYX mixes*
00.0% - Superchumbo's Light and Shade Dub
00.0% - Tiga's M-I-N-I-M-A-L Dub
00.0% - The M Factor Dub

*Specific alternate choices offered by voters were:

06.6% - The Sygma Remix

01.6% - The Oscar Salgero Radio Edit

00.4% - The DJ Culture "Acustic Version"

00.4% - "I don't like any of the remixes"

Survey 283 - Week of November 12, 2006
Favorite mix of "I'm with Stupid" (262 voters)

What is your favorite mix of "I'm with Stupid"?

37.0% - The album/single version
24.4% - The PSB Maxi-Mix ¤
23.7% - "I don't feel I'm familiar enough with these mixes to choose."
03.8% - The Melnyk Heavy Petting Mix
03.4% - The instrumental version
03.1% - The Max Tundra Mix
02.3% - The demo version
01.1% - Some other mix not mentioned here*
00.8% - The Abe Duque Mix
00.4% - The Abe Duque Dub

*The one (unofficial) mix specifically mentioned as an alternate preference by one voter was:

0.4% - Saint Ken's Full Anthem

Survey 282 - Week of November 5, 2006
Most pleasing "collaboration artist" (380 voters)

Of all the recording artists with whom the Pet Shop Boys have collaborated in one way or another-even indirectly, such as by simply writing a song for them with no other involvement-which collaboration has, musically speaking, pleased you the most overall?

22.9% - Electronic
20.0% - Liza Minnelli ¤
17.9% - Dusty Springfield
06.3% - Robbie Williams
06.1% - David Bowie
05.0% - All or part of the cast of Closer to Heaven
04.2% - Madonna
04.2% - Kylie Minogue
03.7% - Eighth Wonder
03.2% - Boy George
02.1% - Peter Rauhofer ("The Collaboration")
01.6% - Elton John
00.5% - Cicero
00.5% - Tina Turner
00.5% - Some other artist not listed here.*
00.5% - They have yet to have a collaboration that has really pleased me musically.
00.3% - Alcazar
00.3% - Pete Burns
00.3% - Miyuki Motegi

*Sam Taylor-Wood was also among the choices offered, but no one voted for her. Elton John and Peter Rauhofer had been initially left out, but these were oversights, not intentional omissions. After a couple of early voters cited them (on the first day of voting), I added them to the list of options. Certain other artists, such as Blur, Yoko Ono, and Rammstein were intentionally left off the list because the Pet Shop Boys did little or nothing more than remix a single song of theirs with no obvious "audible presence," such as additional background vocals by Neil. Although a couple of people told me that they felt those artists should also have appeared on the list, none of them seemed to indicate that any of them would be their own choice in response to this survey question.

Survey 281 - Week of October 29, 2006
Which online resources do you regularly use for PSB news? (366 voters)

Which online resources do you visit or use on a regular basis—at least once per week on the average—to obtain the latest news and information about the Pet Shop Boys?¹

72.7% - The official PSB website ¤
45.6% - Pet Shop Boys Commentary (this site)²
24.6% - The Pet Shop Boys Community Forum ¤
17.5% - Lydia's Pet Shop Boys Forum ¤
16.1% - Euphoric
15.6% - Pet Shop Boys Online
07.9% - Some other website(s) not listed here³
07.1% - The Introspective newsgroup ¤
06.8% - The Yahoo Petheads group ¤
06.8% - Google
06.3% - At Dead of Night
03.3% - So Pet Shop Boys
02.5% - Yahoo
01.6% - Absolutely Pet Shop Boys
00.8% - Pet Shop Boys Confidential
00.3% - Pet Shop Boys, actually

¹Because voters could select more than one item in this survey, the percentages total to more than 100%.

²I was hesitant to include my own site among the options since the very fact that this survey appeared here would skew the results. That is, if you took part in this survey, then chances were good that you visited this site regularly. But that was by no means a certainty—and I personally thought it would be extremely interesting to see how many people might vote who do not visit this site on a regular basis to get "the latest news and information." (Then again, I never envisioned the primary purpose of my site as being a source of "PSB news," although it does incidentally often serve that function.) It's also worth noting that the results are also undoubtedly skewed by the fact that I routinely post weekly "poll announcements" in several of the online forums listed, thereby skewing the results in favor of those particular forums. The results are nevertheless interesting for comparative purposes.

³Among the other online resources cited by voters were:

1.1% - Pet Shop Boys Forum⁴

0.3% - Gardner's Pet Shop Boys Discography

0.3% - Pet Shop Boys OnPage

0.3% - Pet Shop Boys Covers & Quotations

0.3% - eil.com

0.3% - Pet Shop Boys in Paris

0.3% - Popjustice

0.3% - Flickr (for photos)

0.3% - Getty Images (for photos)

⁴I received some criticism for not including this particular Pet Shop Boys Forum among the choices in my survey. But the only reason I didn't include it is that I wasn't even aware of its existence until some of the survey participants brought it to my attention. As much as I might like to be, I'm not omniscient. At any rate, if it had been included, it would almost certainly have received more than the 1.1% "write-in vote" that it did receive.

Survey 280 - Week of October 22, 2006
How would you rate them as a live act? (285 voters)

How would you rate the Pet Shop Boys as a live act?

36.5% - Maybe not the best, but certainly one of the top three or four.
18.6% - The best I've ever seen!
15.4% - Not one of the best, but better than average. ¤*
09.1% - I've never seen one of their live performances, so I really can't judge.
06.0% - It varies quite a bit—sometimes great, sometimes not so great.
04.6% - Terrific sets and costumes, but the performances themselves often leave a bit to be desired.
03.9% - They're about average.
01.8% - Great performances, but I usually don't care for their sets and costumes.
01.8% - I have mixed feelings about it.
01.1% - Not one of the worst, but below average.
01.1% - I have an opinion different from any of those expressed here.
00.4% - The worst I've ever seen!
00.0% - Maybe not the worst, but certainly one of the bottom three or four.

*Allow me to explain my choice. I tried to be as objective as possible. I've seen an awful lot of live acts. I've certainly enjoyed PSB live performances immensely, but I can't honestly say they're the best or even among the "top three or four" that I've seen. (If, however, all their shows were as fantastic as Performance—which I've seen only on video—I'd feel quite differently.) Therefore I chose the next-higher option, "Not one of the best, but better than average." Yes, it makes me feel like something of a traitor—but at least like an honest traitor. That's speaking solely for myself, of course. I have absolutely no doubt that everyone else chose just as honestly for themselves.

Survey 279 - Week of October 15, 2006
Which items coming out this month will you buy? (300 voters)

An unusually large amount of PSB-related merchandise is scheduled to appear on the market this month. Which of the following items are you planning to buy or have already bought?¹

85.3% - The Concretelive album ¤
72.3% - The Pet Shop Boys: A Life in Pop DVD ¤
67.7% - The "Numb" single (in one or more formats) ¤
62.0% - The book Pet Shop Boys, Catalogue ¤
34.3% - Robbie Williams's new album Rudebox² ¤
25.0% - The Popjustice: 100% Solid Pop Music CD³ ¤

¹Because voters could select more than one item in this survey, the percentages total to more than 100%.

²Rudebox is "PSB-related" because the Boys have produced two of the tracks on the album, one of which, "She's Madonna," they also co-wrote with Robbie.

³The Popjustice CD will include a previously unreleased re-recording of "It's a Sin" by the Pet Shop Boys with a new arrangement.

Survey 278 - Week of October 8, 2006
"PSB clothing"(263 voters)

Do you own any "official" articles of "PSB clothing" (such as caps, t-shirts, or sweatshirts acquired through the Fan Club, from the official website, at a PSB concert, or even from eBay)-and, if so, do you ever wear it?

45.2% - No, I don't own any "PSB clothing."
25.9% - Yes, I own some "PSB clothing," and I occasionally wear it, even for activities that have nothing to do with PSB.
09.5% - Yes, I own some "PSB clothing," and I wear it quite often.
04.9% - Yes, I own one or more articles of "PSB clothing," but I've never worn them—though I probably would to a PSB concert. ¤
03.0% - Yes, I own some "PSB clothing" that I used to wear quite a bit, but I don't wear it anymore.
03.0% - Yes, I own some "PSB clothing," but I've never worn them, and probably never will.
02.3% - I used to own some "PSB clothing," but not anymore. And I wore it occasionally when I did own it.
02.3% - I used to own some "PSB clothing," but not anymore. And I wore it quite often when I did own it.
01.9% - I used to own some "PSB clothing," but not anymore. And I never wore it when I did own it.
01.5% - Yes, I own some "PSB clothing," and I have worn it—but only to a PSB concert.

Survey 277 - Week of October 1, 2006
Will there be a fourth single from Fundamental? (324 voters)

Do you think there will be a fourth single from Fundamental (following "I'm with Stupid," "Minimal," and "Numb")? (Not whether there should be, but will be.)

50.3% - Yes
49.7% - No ¤

Survey 276 - Week of September 24, 2006
On changing the live album's title to Concrete (289 voters)

What do you think of the recent news that the title of the Pet Shop Boys' upcoming live album has been changed from Concert to Concrete?

28.4% - I like it. Concrete is certainly more imaginative than Concert.
16.6% - I'm withholding judgment until I learn the rationale behind it.
12.1% - I really don't care about it one way or the other.
11.1% - It's interesting—I'm rather intrigued by it. ¤
08.3% - I'm not sure what to think.
07.3% - I think it's a joke—or, if it isn't, it ought to be!
05.9% - It's brilliant!
04.5% - It's awful!
02.4% - It's inexplicable—one of the stragest things ever in PSB history.
02.4% - I have mixed feelings about it.
01.0% - I have an opinion different from any of those listed here.*

*Among the opinions offered were the following excerpts:

"I would have much preferred the name change to Sell Out than Concrete. They're going soft! ;-)"

"Concrete sounds a ridiculous title to me—I shall feel quite silly asking for it in the shop! However, they are so delightfully naughty and unpredictable that I look forward to hearing how they came to this decision."

"The obscure change of title name at the last minute, for me, should not be seen in isolation.… They've become (rightly or wrongly) the samurais in autumn they've sung about! To me, they've simply stopped chasing the dream of commercial success and choose to suit and please themselves and hope that they carry true fans along with them. I mean, even if we find out why they called it Concrete, it will almost certainly only be people that visit PSB websites or subscribe to Literally, etc. that will get this info.… Is the album cover a picture of the outside of the Mermaid Theatre? Have the Boys seen a press review of the concert and seen the word 'concert' mistaken as 'concrete'? Is the cover picture related to Chris Lowe's architecture days?… I'm beginning to warm to the idea of PSB pleasing themselves in their probable wind-down of their amazing careers. They will never again have another imperial phase and seemingly odd decisions like this name change shouldn't put the fans off too much."

"I hope the name change doesn't mean that the Boys have become set in their ways!"

"I'm a math(s) prof, so when I first read this, I thought of the adjective 'concrete' rather than the noun. In math(s) we often say 'give me a concrete example of this theorem.'"

"I actually think it is a clever reference to 'musique concrete'—the short definition of which is 'Electronic music composed of instrumental and natural sounds often altered or distorted in the recording process.'"

"Along these lines, remember philosopher Roger Scruton's criticism of the Pet Shop Boys? That the music was so manufactured that one might question whether the artists themselves are actually performing it (which, given the history of PSB videos, and their want to be absent from them, might be a more astute observation than I once thought).… [T]he live record is like a historical document—concrete evidence—that largely studio music can be performed live."

"Deep meaning behind the name or not, I just think the name sounds stupid."

"Fundamental.. Life in pop... PopArt... Concrete goes with their new 'powerful' style of titles. May be it's a statement of importance or a 20 anniversary 'significant' style."

Survey 275 - Week of September 17, 2006
Factors in being a PSB fan (315 voters)

How do each of the following factors relate to your being a fan of the Pet Shop Boys? That is, are you a fan because of it or in spite of it-or does it have no bearing at all on your being a fan?*

Factor	Popularity Score**	"I'm a fan because of this."	"I'm a fan in spite of this."	"This has no bearing on my being a fan."
Their melodies	93.6%	¤ 95.2%	1.6%	3.2%
Their musical arrangements	87.6%	¤ 89.2%	1.6%	9.2%
Their lyrics	86.7%	¤ 88.9%	2.2%	8.9%
Neil's singing	69.3%	¤ 75.6%	6.3%	18.1%
Chris's keyboard work	67.3%	¤ 70.8%	3.5%	25.7%
Their image and/or attitude	66.1%	¤ 70.2%	4.1%	25.7%
Their sense of style	52.7%	¤ 57.1%	4.4%	38.4%
"Danceability"	45.8%	¤ 52.1%	6.3%	41.6%
Their "Britishness"	41.2%	46.3%	5.1%	¤ 48.6%
Their videos	38.4%	¤ 46.3%	7.9%	45.7%
Their live performances	30.2%	¤ 37.8%	7.6%	54.6%
Their looks	21.6%	29.2%	7.6%	¤ 63.2%
Their sociopolitical views	18.4%	32.7%	14.3%	¤ 53.0%
Sexuality (the "gay factor")	3.5%	¤ 20.0%	16.5%	63.5%

*Because participants in this poll could vote one of three ways for each factor, the percentages total to 100% for each factor listed. Among the comments that voters sent to me were the following excerpts:

"I think the real reson is because PSB are unique. There's just no other pop group who do what they do.… [M]y love for PSB is simply down to the fact that they fill an artistic gap in the pop market, although some may say that they created that gap themselves!"

"For me, the biggest factor in my being a PSB fan is their songs. Their ability as songwriters and composers has blown me away for two decades now. To me, their songwriting is more than just the separately identifiable elements of melodies and lyrics."

**The "Popularity Score" is obtained by subtracting the "in spite of" percentage from the "because of" percentage, ignoring the "no bearing" percentage since it, after all, has no bearing. This provides a single figure that takes into account how much a particular factor both contributes to and potentially detracts from the Pet Shop Boys' popularity among their fans; the higher the figure, the greater the overall positive effect that factor has on their popularity. This is predicated on the highly unscientific notion that each factor carries equal weight—a factor that contributes toward popularity is directly and equally offset by one that detracts from it. That, of course, is surely not actually the case. Still, I think the scores are useful as suggestive (though hardly definitive) markers of how different factors compare to each other in contributing toward the Boys' popularity among their fans.

Survey 274 - Week of September 10, 2006
Opinions of the "Numb" video (210 voters)

Which of the following statements comes closest to expressing your opinion of the new Pet Shop Boys video for "Numb"?

21.0% - It's very good—maybe not one of their best, but better than average.
14.8% - It's one of their all-time best videos!
09.5% - I like the song, but the video doesn't do it justice.
08.1% - I can't say because I haven't yet seen the video.
07.6% - It's about average for them.
07.6% - The fact that there's so little of Neil and Chris in it spoils it for me.
06.2% - I really don't like the song, but I kinda like the video.
05.2% - It's one of their all-time worst videos!
04.8% - I have mixed feelings about it.
04.8% - I'm disappointed—it's below average. ¤
03.8% - I hate the fact that "Numb" is going to be a single, so if it were the greatest video ever I'd still detest it.
03.8% - I have an opinion different from any of those expressed here.*
01.9% - I'm not sure how I feel about it.
01.0% - I really don't care about it one way or the other.

*This question generated a large number of comments. Among the additional opinions offered were the following excerpts:

"I found it quite harrowing and would not wish to see it again."

"It only disturbs me that there's so little PSB, but it's good anyway."

"It's a depressing video for a depressing song.… This video is just too arty for its own good!"

"Anyone bored with the Russian obsession? I'm getting there. It looks good, but I don't get it."

"YouTube gives such a poor quality of video I wasn't really able to eveluate it properly."

"I don't like the video and I don't like the song."

"I do get some … general feelings of tragedy of what has happened to Russia over the past century. I'm much more intrigued by the video than the song, which borders on sappy top 40 pop, at least compared to their usual cool stuff. Of course, I can be consoled by the fact that they didn't write it!"

"The video has no staying power, so you see it once, and that's about all you need."

"Funnily enough, the video makes me like the song more—somehow I 'get' the song now that I've seen the video."

"Personally I think the video is a very 'lazy' one with not that much thought going into it."

"In England, after the national football (soccer) team were knocked out of the World Cup by Portugal, 'Numb' was played over a montage of England's best/worst moments from the tournament…. Now, probably just because I'm an English football fan, these images have stuck in my mind more than the official video.… I think they have missed a trick by not promoting the BBC montage in England as an alternative video."

"I think the video is very good but I think it will make it even more difficult for the song to chart—unless something weird happens. I thought they might try something that would appeal to American mainstream audiences more for the video (why else pay Diane Warren for a song?) but this, I fear, won't do it. Then again, something like this might draw attention of a Grammy nomination…."

"I feel the video is OK but it does not suit 'Numb.'"

Survey 273 - Week of September 3, 2006
PSB-related artwork on display? (291 voters)

Do you have any Pet Shop Boys posters, photos, or other PSB-related paper-based artwork (not counting books, albums, or CD/DVD packaging) on display where you live or work?*

42.6% - No, and I never have ¤**
33.0% - Yes
24.4% - I used to, but not anymore

*Since this question concerns paper-based artwork, electronic-based displays-such as computer screen savers or computer desktop wallpapers-didn't count.

**A personal explanation: This question was inspired by a conversation I had some time ago with a new acquaintance in which I mentioned this website and my fondness for the music of the Pet Shop Boys. Apparently fascinated by the fact that I would devote so much of my spare time to such a hobby, she said that my home and/or office space must look like a "Pet Shop Boys shrine," complete with PSB photos and posters on the wall. I replied that, no, that wasn't the case—that, while I do own some PSB posters and other related artwork, I don't have them on display at home or at work because that's just not my "style" of fandom. My one exception: every Christmas season I have my PSB Fan Club Christmas card sitting up on the mantle alongside the other cards that I've received from family and friends. But that's so limited an appearance that I don't feel it counts for this question.

Survey 272 - Week of August 27, 2006
"The Rating Project": Battleship Potemkin (126 voters*)

Please rate the tracks in the Pet Shop Boys' film score Battleship Potemkin on a scale of 0 to 10 as they compare with other PSB songs (0 = "one of the worst PSB songs ever"; 5 = "an average PSB song"; 10 = "one of the very best PSB songs ever"):

Song (Listed from Highest Average Rating to Lowest)	Average Rating	% of voters rating 10	% of voters rating 0	Wayne's Rating¤
No Time for Tears	7.874	25.2%	1.0%	7
After All	7.837	30.6%	1.0%	5
For Freedom	7.598	27.2%	1.1%	4
The Squadron	7.163	18.6%	4.8%	2
Full Steam Ahead	6.940	15.7%	4.8%	2
Odessa	6.810	17.9%	2.4%	2
Nyet	6.690	13.8%	3.4%	2
To the Battleship	6.679	15.5%	4.8%	1
To the Shore	6.619	16.7%	4.8%	1
"Comrades!"	6.551	18.0%	4.5%	1
Night Falls	6.341	7.1%	3.5%	1
Stormy Meetings	6.134	7.3%	4.9%	1
Drama in the Harbour	6.023	10.5%	3.5%	2
Men and Maggots	5.918	5.9%	3.5%	1
Our Daily Bread	5.667	6.9%	3.4%	2

To see where these tracks fall in relation to other songs in the PSB catalog, please visit the overall "Rating Project" page.

*This poll had far fewer voters than usual, and nearly a quarter of the votes that were submitted were absentions. Several people wrote to me stating that they weren't voting because they consider Battleship Potemkin to be a "work as a whole," so to speak, the individual tracks of which should not be judged separately from each other. To be sure, I was somewhat hesitant about this particular survey, as evidenced by the fact that I didn't run it until about a year after the album was released. And I'll be the first to say that the instrumental tracks gain significantly in their power and effectiveness in the context of the film. They work very well as segments of a film score. But I personally rated them based on my assessment of their quality as "standalone" pieces in comparison with other PSB songs. In that context, I simply had to give most of them rather low ratings.

Survey 271 - Week of August 20, 2006
Opinions of U-MYX (222 voters)

Which of the following statements comes closest to expressing your opinion of the U-MYX format for "Minimal," and do you hope the Pet Shop Boys will make other tracks available in the U-MYX format in the future?

34.7% - I have no idea. I don't even know what U-MYX is.
27.9% - I think it's great! And, yes, they should make other tracks available in U-MYX, too.
16.2% - It was interesting and fun for "Minimal," but it's fine with me if they never do it again. ¤
08.6% - I really don't care about it one way or the other.
04.1% - I didn't much care for it, but I don't mind if they do it for other tracks.
03.6% - I have an opinion different from any of those expressed here.*
02.3% - I have mixed feelings about it.
01.8% - I'm not sure how I feel about it.
00.9% - It's a waste of time and money! They should never do it again!

*Among the other opinions offered by voters were the following:

"I think it is a cool idea, but it wasn't released in my country."

"I thought it was absolutely tremendous, but I would have loved to have been able to take it one step further so you could make your own extended disco mix. The only downside is that you are limited to the same running time as their chosen single mix."

"I couldn't try it since they don't release singles here in Israel."

"U-MYX didnt work on my PC, which is under 6 months old, so [it's] a useless format."

Survey 270 - Week of August 13, 2006
Fundamental tour ticket prices (202 voters)

What do you think of the ticket prices for the Pet Shop Boys' current Fundamental tour?*

23.3% - I don't know enough to judge.**
20.8% - They're a little on the high side, but not unreasonable. ¤
18.8% - They're average—about right.
12.9% - I don't care—none of the shows are close enough to where I live.
10.4% - They're much too high! — but I'll buy them anyway (or already have).
09.4% - They're a bargain—cheaper than I expected!
04.5% - They're so expensive that I can't afford to buy them!***

*This includes both their summer round of performances in Europe and their fall concerts in North America.

**This is regardless of why the voter might not know enough to judge, whether it's because he or she hadn't heard anything about the ticket prices yet, wasn't sure what constitutes "high" ticket prices, or whatever the case.

***Or, even if the voter could technically "afford" to buy them, he or she was unwilling to pay that high a price.

Survey 269 - Week of August 6, 2006
Best tour setlist (215 voters)

Which Pet Shop Boys tour has had the best, most well-rounded setlist? (Click here to see setlists for each tour.)

27.4% - 1999 Nightlife Tour
22.3% - 1994 DiscoVery Tour ¤
21.9% - 1991 Performance Tour
14.0% - 2006 Fundamental Tour (so far)
04.7% - 2002 Uni/Release Tour
03.7% - 1997 Somewhere Shows
02.3% - 1989 MCMLXXXIX Tour
01.9% - 2000 Summer Tour
01.9% - 2004 Summer Shows

Survey 268 - Week of July 30, 2006
The title of the upcoming live album (260 voters)

What do you think the title should be of the upcoming Pet Shop Boys live album recorded with the BBC Orchestra and several guest stars (originally broadcast on BBC Radio 2 this past May)?

16.9% - Orchestral*
16.2% - Concert ¤*
10.0% - Live
06.9% - Conducted
06.9% - Something else, as long as it consists of a single word**
05.4% - Broadcast
05.4% - Transmission
04.2% - Lively
03.8% - Fundamentally Live
03.5% - Radio
03.1% - Recital
02.3% - Classical
02.3% - Something else, as long as it consists of more than one word (for a change)**
01.9% - Show
01.9% - Alive
01.9% - Additional
01.9% - Presented
01.5% - Exclusive
01.5% - Theatrical
01.2% - Unplugged
00.8% - Traditional
00.4% - Alive in Pop

*Orchestral held a very wide lead, fully twice as many votes as the runner-up, until the actual title of Concert was announced on August 1 (by which time around 170 votes had been cast). At that point Concert began rapidly to catch up, though it didn't quite make it to first place. But, yes, I really did vote for Concert myself before the official choice was announced. Not to sound too "Spockish," but it just seemed the logical choice to me. To be honest, however, I'm somewhat surprised that it turned out to be the official choice. In retrospect, I rather think that Orchestral may be a better title—more imaginative and less expected. Then again, I'm not a very imaginative person. Intensely analytical, to be sure, but not very imaginative. Then, to further complicate matters, during the week of September 17 the official PSB website announced that the title of the upcoming live album was being changed from Concert to the completely unexpected Concrete. Nobody saw that coming! I guess it just goes to show that the Boys, even after all these years, still know how to pull a few surprises!

**Among the "Something else" suggestions were:

Pet Shop Boys with Strings

Pet Shop Boys Strings Attached

Pet Shop Boys Conduct

Radiophonic

Collectively

Orchestrated

Vivid

Survey 267 - Week of July 23, 2006
Opinions of the BBC World Cup/"Numb" montage (289 voters)

Which of the following statements comes closest to expressing your opinion about the BBC's use of the Pet Shop Boys' "Numb" in their montage following England's defeat in the World Cup competition?

32.5% - I'm pleased that it gave PSB more exposure to an audience that may not have paid much attention to them or to their new album.
31.1% - It's brilliant!
13.8% - I'm pleased that it gave so much exposure to the song.
10.7% - It's a shame that a release of "Numb" as a single couldn't have been timed to take full advantage of it. ¤
03.8% - I don't know anything about it!
03.5% - I have neutral feelings about it (or don't care about it at all).
02.8% - It's well done, but I wish they hadn't used "Numb."
01.0% - It's awful!
00.7% - I have an opinion quite different from any of those expressed here.

Survey 266 - Week of July 16, 2006
"The Rating Project": Fundamental and bonus tracks (293 voters)

Please rate the new songs on the Pet Shop Boys' album Fundamental and its associated bonus tracks (so far) on a scale of 0 to 10 as they compare with other PSB songs (0 = "one of the worst PSB songs ever"; 5 = "an average PSB song"; 10 = "one of the very best PSB songs ever"):

Song (Listed from Highest Average Rating to Lowest)	Average Rating	% of voters rating 10	% of voters rating 0	Wayne's Rating¤
Integral	8.173	30.1%	0.3%	10
Fugitive	7.984	25.7%	0.4%	5
Minimal	7.945	21.2%	0.3%	8
The Sodom and Gomorrah Show	7.701	17.9%	0.7%	10
The Resurrectionist	7.436	17.2%	0.4%	10
Indefinite Leave to Remain	7.054	11.9%	0.4%	4
Luna Park	6.880	10.2%	0.7%	6
I Made My Excuses and Left	6.836	10.5%	0.7%	9
I'm with Stupid	6.832	6.7%	0.7%	5
Casanova in Hell	6.624	7.8%	1.4%	8
Twentieth Century	6.542	7.6%	1.1%	3
Numb	6.343	8.0%	1.7%	5
Girls Don't Cry	6.142	4.3%	0.5%	2
Psychological	5.962	4.5%	0.3%	4
God Willing	5.134	1.9%	0.8%	1

To see where these songs fall in relation to other songs in the PSB catalog, please visit the overall "Rating Project" page.

Survey 265 - Week of July 9, 2006
The most controversial thing PSB has done (371 voters)

What, in your opinion, is the single most controversial thing the Pet Shop Boys have ever done?

23.4% - The Pet Shop Boys haven't really done anything truly "controversial"
20.2% - Photos of a penis on the covers of the 12-inch vinyl promo "Before" singles
07.5% - Chris quitting mid-song on The Tonight Show in 1991 ¤
05.9% - "Fugitive"
05.7% - Neil "coming out" as gay
05.7% - Something else not listed here.*
04.3% - The "Home and Dry" video
04.0% - "It's a Sin"
04.0% - "The Night I Fell in Love"
02.7% - The "Domino Dancing" video
02.4% - The "homoerotic dancers" in the DiscoVery show's rendition of "Can You Forgive Her?"
02.4% - Their "rock ballads album," Release
02.2% - Choosing the name "Pet Shop Boys"
01.3% - The "Being Boring" video
01.3% - Disco 2
01.3% - The "erection" references in "Casanova in Hell"
01.1% - "Where the Streets Have No Name (I Can't Take My Eyes Off You)"
01.1% - The "naked" male dancers in the DiscoVery show's rendition of "So Hard"
00.8% - "The Sound of the Atom Splitting"
00.8% - Their "political album," Fundamental
00.5% - Chris "stripping" during the Performance rendition of "We All Feel Better in the Dark"
00.3% - "Rent"
00.3% - Their refusal to wave and chat with the host after performing on Live at the London Palladium
00.3% - Chris prematurely exiting the Wogan show in 1990
00.3% - Chris dropping his pants at the end of one of the Somewhere shows

*Voters offered the following examples of "something else":

The entire Performance show

The "Liberation" remixes

"New York City Boy"

Artificially boosting sales of Release by offering four different slipcases of the special edition

"I'm with Stupid" (with its suggestive implications regarding the relationship between Blair and Bush)

"Numb"

"Their manifesto of marrying dance music and synthpop with serious, insightful lyrics and earnest melodies. Dance music as a genre is tailor made for disposability. But the Pets have chosen to challenge the prevailing notion that all that thumps is superficial."

Survey 264 - Week of July 2, 2006
Opinions of the revamped official PSB website (280 voters)

Which of the following statements comes closest to expressing your opinion the recent redesign of the Pet Shop Boys' official website?

25.0% - It's fantastic—a tremendous improvement over the old one!
24.3% - I think it looks great, but it's not very user-friendly. ¤
14.3% - It's pretty good—a bit of an improvement.
07.5% - It's an improvement in some ways, but not in others.
05.4% - It's not particularly good—the old one was somewhat better.
04.3% - No strong feelings—I'm rather neutral about it.
03.9% - It's got some nice new features, but aside from that, no big deal.
03.6% - Some of its features don't work on my computer!
03.6% - I think it will take me some time to get used to it—but I will eventually.
03.2% - It's terrible—far worse than the old one!
02.5% - I find it very difficult to use.
01.1% - I don't like how it looks, but I think it's more user-friendly now.
00.7% - I don't think it's any better or worse than the old one, so why change it?
00.4% - I haven't visited it yet!
00.4% - I have an opinion very different from any of those expressed here.*

*Among the other opinions expressed was the following excerpt:

"I used to like to send links from the website in emails or use them in my blog. Can't do that any more. I have to send people to the main site, then tell them to click this, that, and the other, which is a damned shame!"

Survey 263 - Week of June 25, 2006
Opinions of the "Minimal" video (281 voters)

Which of the following statements comes closest to expressing your opinion of the new Pet Shop Boys video for "Minimal"?

33.5% - It's very good—maybe not one of their best, but better than average. ¤
18.9% - It's one of their all-time best videos!
16.4% - It's about average for them.
08.5% - I'm disappointed—it's below average.
08.5% - I can't say because I haven't seen it yet.
06.4% - It's a little too minimal, in my opinion.
03.2% - It would have been better without the dancers.
02.5% - I have mixed feelings about it.
01.8% - It's one of their all-time worst videos!
00.4% - I have an opinion quite different from any of those expressed here.

Survey 262 - Week of June 18, 2006
Should "Fugitive" be a single? (316 voters)

The Pet Shop Boys have already stated that the song "Fugitive" (which appears on the Fundamentalism bonus disc) will not be released as a single. But some fans disagree with this decision. So what do you think? Should "Fugitive" be released as a single?

26.9% - Yes—but a different mix.
24.1% - Yes—the exact same mix as on Fundamentalism.
23.4% - No—I don't think it's "single material."
10.1% - I don't know—I haven't heard the song yet.
07.0% - No—for some other reason.*
06.0% - No—it's much too controversial. ¤
02.5% - No—I don't like it!

When you total the various "Yes" and "No" figures, you get the following tallies:

51.0% - Yes
38.9% - No ¤
10.1% - I don't know

*Among the other reasons offered are the following excerpts:

"I don't think it should be a single when it's not on the album. "

"I do think that Fugitive should be on a single; as a b-side in its original PSB form instead of the mix in the bonus disc."

"[W]hile Fugitive is a really fun dance song, there are better songs on the album proper, and since artists seem to have a finite number of singles they can release for an album, I'd rather they release "The Sodom & Gomorrah Show" and then "Integral" as the capper."

"I find the sympathetic lyrics morally dubious.… I think it's a great song, but the lyrics leave a very bad taste in my mouth afterwards.'

"Americans in general would be horrifed with the sentiment of the song if it's released as a single here. It might be fine in the rest of the world….'

"I doubt very much whether the song could be released as a single here in the UK or in any other country in the world where their citizens died in the 9-11 bombings, including those who, like myself, have no time for American foreign policy."

If I may explain my own choice (that the song is "much too controversial"), I don't think it's so controversial that PSB shouldn't have written, recorded, and released it as they did. I just think it could seriously hurt them if it were released as a single. And I certainly don't want them to be hurt—commercially, professionally, or otherwise.

Survey 261 - Week of June 11, 2006
What will be and should be Fundamental's third single? (373 voters*)

"Minimal" has already been announced as the second single from Fundamental. So let's play the "will be/should be" game with the third single. What do you think will be the third single from Fundamental, and what do you think should be the third single?

Will be the third single

Should be the third single

37.0% - Numb ¤
28.7% - Integral
16.9% - The Sodom and Gomorrah Show
04.8% - Psychological
04.6% - Luna Park
04.3% - There will be no third single
01.6% - Twentieth Century
01.3% - Indefinite Leave to Remain
00.5% - Casanova in Hell
00.3% - I Made My Excuses and Left
43.0% - Integral
31.1% - The Sodom and Gomorrah Show ¤
07.4% - Numb
05.8% - Luna Park
02.8% - I Made My Excuses and Left
02.5% - Twentieth Century
02.2% - Casanova in Hell
01.9% - Psychological
01.9% - Indefinite Leave to Remain
01.4% - There should be no third single

*As always, the number of voters cited here is the total number of poll participants. Voters were permitted to vote once for what they thought will be the third single and once for what should be. Not everyone, however, placed both votes. For this reason, the total voter figure on which the percentages are based is different for the two sets of results.

Survey 260 - Week of June 4, 2006
Exclusive pay-per-download bonus tracks (299 voters)

The Pet Shop Boys are making a number of alternate mixes of "I'm with Stupid" and demos of some Fundamental tracks available exclusively (at least so far) on iTunes and/or other pay-per-download sites. What do you think of this? (Please select all that apply.)*

59.5% - I would much prefer them to be available on CD! ¤
31.1% - It's wonderful that they're making so many bonus tracks available to us! ¤
21.1% - I find it frustrating because I haven't been able to access some (or even any) of the tracks. ¤
18.7% - I'm not into the whole "downloading thing."
17.7% - It's OK as a special experiment, but I hope they don't make a habit of it. ¤
15.4% - I find it confusing since some tracks are available on certain sites but not on others. ¤
06.4% - I'm not very impressed with the general quality of these other tracks.
01.3% - I have an opinion other than those expressed here.**

*Because voters could make more than one selection, the percentages total to more than 100%.

**Among the opinions expressed (not all of them by people who picked the "different opinion" option) were the following excerpts:

"I chose 'Other' because I feel it helps the PSB's chart position to have these downloads available. By the end of the first week of release I'd counted around 11 formats of the single, each one making a single unit sale and therefore helping to get them to Number 8."

"I think it's great that the boys are making tracks available through various channels."

"At least I can import a CD from the UK (which I did for the Fundamental album). But there's no way for me to buy the iTunes tracks without a credit card linked to a UK address (a bit difficult for a US citizen like myself)."

Survey 259 - Week of May 28, 2006
Views on Fundamental's dedication (358 voters)

Which of the following statements comes closest to expressing your opinion of the fact that Fundamental is dedicated to Mahmoud Asgari and Ayaz Marhoni-two Iranian teenagers who were executed by their government in July 2005 allegedly for committing homosexual rape against a minor, but which many believe was a false, drummed-up excuse for hanging gay teens?*

28.8% - I think it's very touching.
22.9% - I think it's a powerful socio-political statement.
12.0% - Their hearts are in the right place, but it's a pretty empty gesture.
08.9% - I'm not sure what to think.
08.7% - I don't have any opinions about it one way or the other.
06.7% - I don't think it's a very "PSB" thing to do.
06.7% - I have mixed feelings about it. ¤
03.4% - I think it's misguided and/or somewhat troubling.
01.1% - I have an opinion very different from any of those expressed here.**
00.8% - I think it's awful!

*The dedication appears in the CD booklet.

**Among the opinions expressed (not all of them by people who picked the "different opinion" option) were the following excerpts:

"No need to dedicate - I didn't know the album was dedicated to anyone or anything and now that I know…, I find it quite a ridiculous thing to do.… I don't feel like being made aware of political issues when buying a pop album."

"If they want to dedicate their album in such a way, let them. There are worse people to dedicate things to."

"I think it's a feel-good, but ultimately empty gesture. The thing about activist celebrities (and mind you—I love Pet Shop Boys and respect their activism) is that they make these feel-good gestures, but aren't prepared to support the necessary work to help the situation."

"I have a bit of a problem with the dedication. I think we should be very careful to automatically assume the two teenagers were executed simply for being gay when we don't actually know the whole story. Surely it is an example of assuming the worst about a hardline country, a psychological fear of the unknown (as referred to in much of the album)."

"The dedication in itself will change nothing. And most people wouldn't know who the two persons are anyway. The dedication for me will have the same meaning as if it were to a late friend/familymember or whatever. It is a personal dedication and shouldn't have any positive or negative effect on the reaction to the album."

"I'm glad and proud that they decided to speak out against the mass violation of human rights and the death penalty for minors."

"…There's a difference between writing a song that expresses a personal emotion (which can include a response to political events) and preaching to people. It's the latter that is patronising.… The Pets did this themselves with their 'Pet Shop Boys Say No To War' [Christmas card]. Do they seriously imagine that their fans thought that war was a Good Thing until they came along with the shattering revelation that, no, actually war is a Bad Thing? Fortunately, this was pretty much a one-off. The album dedication is not nearly as prominent, and therefore is not nearly as patronising."

"The fact that it has raised debate reflects that it has served its purpose."

Survey 258 - Week of May 21, 2006
Fundamental UK chart debut position (355 voters)

As you know, the new Pet Shop Boys album Fundamental is being released this week in the U.K. (and in many other countries as well). At what position do you think it will debut on the official U.K. album chart?*

38.6% - Between #6 and #10, inclusive ¤
34.9% - Between #2 and #5, inclusive
11.0% - #1
09.3% - Between #11 and #15, inclusive
03.7% - Between #16 and #20, inclusive
02.5% - Lower on the chart than #20

*As it turns out, Fundamental actually entered the official U.K. album chart at #5.

Survey 257 - Week of May 14, 2006
"I'm with Stupid" formats (266 voters)

Not counting the album Fundamental, in which of the following formats have you already bought or are planning to buy the new Pet Shop Boys single "I'm with Stupid"?*

64.3% - The three-track DVD single that includes the video ¤**
63.9% - The two-track CD single ¤
35.0% - One or more downloadable tracks available at iTunes, AOL, Woolies, 7 Digital, etc. ¤***
28.6% - Some other format not mentioned here (such as a promo or non-U.K. release)
24.1% - The 7-inch vinyl picture-disc single ¤****

*Voters could choose more than one option in this survey, so the percentages total to more than 100%.

**But the DVD won't play on my Region 1 DVD player. Fortunately, it will play on my computer.

***It really ticks me off, however, that I couldn't download them from iTunes in the U.S. Instead I had to go to one of the other services. Perhaps they're holding off on making them available on U.S. iTunes until after the album's U.S. release. But, then again, what does that have to do with the single? Is there going to be a U.S. release of the single as well?

****Which arrived in the mail with damaged packaging. The disc itself, however, was undamaged. If I had the gumption, I'd contact the distributor and demand a copy with undamaged packaging. But I simply don't want to deal with the hassle. One of my primary goals in life is to avoid hassles whenever possible.

Survey 256 - Week of May 7, 2006
Purchase plans for Fundamental (340 voters)

What are your purchasing plans regarding the new Pet Shop Boys album Fundamental?*

47.4% - I plan on buying it after it's released.
30.3% - I already have it on order. ¤
12.6% - I don't have it on order yet, but plan on placing an order before release.
01.8% - I'm not sure yet whether I'm going to buy it.
01.2% - I don't think I'll buy a "hard copy" of the album, but I may buy some or even all of the songs from a download site such as iTunes.
00.9% - I'm definitely not planning on buying it!

72.4% - I plan on buying just the special edition with the Fundmentalism bonus disc.
17.1% - I plan on buying both the standard and special editions. ¤
04.4% - I plan on buying just the standard single-disc edition.
54.7% - I plan on buying the U.K. release. ¤
22.1% - I plan on buying an edition released in a country other than those listed here.
17.1% - I plan on buying the U.S. release (assuming there is one). ¤
10.9% - I plan on buying the Japanese release.

*The voting options for this question were divided into three separate groups. Voters could make choices within each group—hence the division of the results into three groups, each with its own top vote-getter highlighted in red. Because of the multiple-vote aspect of this poll, the percentages do not necessarily add up to exactly 100%, not even within any particular group, but may either exceed or fall short of that figure.

Survey 255 - Week of April 30, 2006
Why is 2006 such a big year? (252 voters)

It seems that 2006 is shaping up to be a really, really big year for the Pet Shop Boys: a new album and singles, a BBC radio concert with orchestra, lots of special spring and summer concerts, a planned fall tour, remixing (and singing on) Madonna's "Sorry," other collaborations, a television documentary, numerous interviews, and more. Why do you think all of this is happening right now?

23.0% - They've just been "lying low" for a while and now, with fresh ideas and energy, they're simply reasserting themselves creatively.
16.3% - No special reason. It's probably just a coincidence that all of these things are "coinciding."
15.1% - It's a combination of two or more of the factors listed here.
14.7% - In effect, they're embracing their new status as pop "legends" and "elder statesmen."
12.7% - They're making a serious bid for a major commercial comeback!
06.3% - It's the 20th anniversary of "West End Girls," after all. It's a celebration of two hugely successful decades! ¤
06.0% - I disagree with the premise of the question. 2006 is no "bigger" a PSB year than many others they've experienced.
04.0% - Perhaps they see their career as recording artists coming to a close soon. This may be a last desperate burst of energy before winding down for good.
02.0% - I have an opinion very different from any of those expressed here.*

*Among the alternate opinions offered are the following:

"The Pet Shop Boys are giving an entirely new dimension to the word 'prolific.' Though fans and critics have thought that their 'best' years were way back in the early nineties, I am sure that they have more tricks up their sleeves than one can imagine, as I am sure would be proved by the forthcoming album Fundamental. Watch out folkes, they are making a new beginning, starting from the 'fundamentals.' Maybe their real 'best' is yet to come!"

"Obviously, the new push is for the objective of obtaining a successful (which means financial in the business) endeavour.… Another thought is that PSB is now eligible for induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Hmmmmm."

"Honestly, I think it just seems like a big year because a studio album's being released. All the rest of the bits, while excellent, aren't much without the the big Fundamental drop. Plus, with the new album, the projects they're working on have become a bit more public, helping bring the Pets back to the forefront of the public's mind. (Or here in America, the occasional mention on the news.)"

Survey 254 - Week of April 23, 2006
Is your significant other a fan? (313 voters)

Is your "significant other" a Pet Shop Boys fan?*

31.6% - They're OK with PSB, but not really a "fan."**
29.4% - I currently don't have a significant other.
13.4% - Yes, though not as much a fan as I am. ¤***
08.6% - They're neutral about PSB.
08.3% - Yes! In fact, they're as much a fan as I am or even more so!
04.5% - They're hardly aware PSB even exists.
04.2% - No. In fact, they actively dislike PSB!

*Not everyone—particularly those for whom English is not their native language—may understand what is meant by the term "significant other." It simply refers to one's spouse, husband, wife, domestic partner, lover, fiance, fiancée, boyfriend, or girlfriend-in short, the most significant other person in one's personal life.

**I'm using "they" here as the technically ungrammatical but increasingly accepted non-gender-specific English-language third-person singular pronoun. I originally wrote these choices using "he or she," but after a few repetitions it simply got too awkward! And I can't abide the unpronounceable "s/he." So "they" it is!

***As I note in my FAQ, my partner "George … likes the Pet Shop Boys, too. He's just not nearly as fanatical about it as I am."

Survey 253 - Week of April 16, 2006
Opinion of the video for "I'm with Stupid" (265 voters)

The video for the new Pet Shop Boys single "I'm with Stupid" has been aired on U.K. television and is currently available for viewing on various websites, including the official PSB site. Which of the following statements comes closest to expressing your opinion of this new video?

27.9% - It's terrific—one of the best PSB videos!
24.2% - It's very good—maybe not one of the best, but better than average.
09.1% - It's not bad itself, but I wish there had been more of Neil and Chris in it.
07.9% - I would have preferred for it to have had more to do with the song itself—its lyrics and meaning.
06.4% - It's OK—I neither particularly like nor dislike it.
05.3% - I haven't seen it and I'm unable to view it online.
04.5% - I have mixed feelings about it. ¤*
04.2% - It's awful—one of their all-time worst videos!
03.8% - I like it, but I don't think it will prove very popular.
03.4% - It's not bad itself, but the talents of Walliams and Lucas aren't used very well.
02.6% - I'm a bit disappointed—it's below average.
00.8% - I don't particularly care for it myself, but I think it will prove popular.
00.0% - I have an opinion very different from any of those expressed here.

*The nature of my own mixed feelings are that I actually agree strongly with several of the statements offered here as options. I don't particularly like the video myself, but I do think it's proving popular. I find it somewhat disappointing, although I really like the twist at the end of the Boys being a "captive audience." Unfortunately, like most "punchlines" it loses most of its effectiveness after the first viewing. Further, I don't think the talents of Walliams and Lucas are put to very good use. And I personally would have liked a "plot" that followed the Blair-Bush interpretation of the song that the Boys themselves have articulated in interviews—although the views expressed by some of my site visitors pointing to multiple layers of meaning in this video are extremely persuasive. So although I'm no great fan of the video at this time, I'm leaving open the possibility that it may grow on me with time. How's all that for "mixed feelings"?

Survey 252 - Week of April 9, 2006
Opinion of boycott petition(s) (214 voters)

As you may have heard, there's an effort afoot to petition the Pet Shop Boys to boycott Canada-asking them to refuse to perform there on their upcoming world tour because of the annual culling there of baby fur seals. Which of the following statements comes closest to expressing how you feel about this and other movements to try to persuade artists to boycott specific locales for social or political purposes?

23.8% - It's wrong to punish the fans in a particular country on account of unrelated policies in that country.
17.8% - If the artists really care about the issue, fine, let them boycott. But don't try to "use" them for your own agenda.*
17.3% - Every nation on earth has dirty hands in one way or another, so such efforts are selective and almost inherently absurd. ¤
15.0% - Artists can probably do more by going to a country and speaking out about an issue than by staying away.
09.8% - As a general principle, I'm all in favor of such efforts!
04.2% - Some people simply have too much time on their hands!
03.3% - This sort of thing might be OK for other artists, but it just wouldn't seem right for the Pet Shop Boys.
02.8% - In this case I support the boycott effort, but I would probably oppose it for most other causes.
02.8% - As a general principle, I'm absolutely opposed to such efforts!
01.9% - In this case I oppose the boycott effort, but I can think of a number of other causes for which I might support it.
00.9% - I have an opinion very different from any of those expressed here.
00.5% - Hey, I'm Canadian—don't pick on my country!

*By "agenda," I don't mean to suggest that anyone has a personal stake in such efforts. I simply use the word "agenda" to refer to one's own set of individual ideals, preferences, causes, viewpoints, wishes, etc.

Survey 251 - Week of April 2, 2006
Opinion of "I'm with Stupid" (315 voters)

Have you heard the new single "I'm with Stupid" yet and, if so, what's your opinion of it?

34.6% - It's very good—maybe not one of their best, but better than average.
21.9% - I haven't heard it yet.
20.6% - It's pretty good. I'd say it's "average" for the Pet Shop Boys. ¤*
10.2% - It's one of their all-time best singles!
05.7% - I'm not very fond of it. It's below average.
04.4% - I've heard it, but not enough to decide how I feel about it.
02.2% - I have mixed feelings about it.
00.3% - It's one of their all-time worst singles!

*But, then again, "average" Pet Shop Boys is a heck of a lot better than most other music these days—at least in my admittedly biased book!

Survey 250 - Weeks of March 19 and 26, 2006
PSB recording a Diane Warren song? (233 voters)

Which of the following statements most closely expresses how you feel about the fact that the upcoming album Fundamental will feature the Pet Shop Boys' rendition of a Diane Warren song, "Numb"?

40.3% - I'll reserve judgment until I've actually heard the PSB recording. ¤
15.9% - I'm not big on Diane Warren, but I'm confident that a PSB version of one of her songs will be very good.
13.3% - I really don't have strong feelings about it one way or the other.
10.3% - I've read good things about it, so I'm very hopeful.
06.9% - I love Diane Warren songs, so I think it's fantastic!
05.6% - I have an opinion quite different from any of those expressed here.*
03.0% - I'm apprehensive since I generally don't like Diane Warren songs.
01.3% - I abhor Diane Warren songs, so I'm appalled by it!
01.3% - I don't like what I've read about it, so I'm a little wary.
01.3% - I've heard the Diane Warren demo and dislike it, so I'm displeased.
00.9% - I've heard the Diane Warren demo and like it, so I'm pleased.

*Here are a few excerpts from the comments offered by some voters:

"Sorry, gang, but I've never even heard of Warren."

"I enjoy some of her songs and loathe some of them (e.g. "I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing"). Here's the thing—she's such a hit-making powerhouse (at least in the US) that, with proper promotion as a single, it could be the Pets' best chance at US radio exposure in today's miserable radio climate."

"It is a typical schmaltzy Diane Warren ballad that sounds like the Aerosmith reject it is. It is slightly redeemed by Neil's plaintative vocals and Horn's stylish restraint.… Warren is a schlockmeister and guilty of several crimes against pop music. PSB shouldn't have tainted their track record with her."

Survey 249 - Week of March 12, 2006
PSB political songs? (223 voters)

The upcoming Pet Shop Boys album Fundamental will feature several songs with somewhat "political" messages. Which of the following statements comes closest to expressing how you feel about PSB recording "political songs"?

24.2% - I often like political songs if they're done subtly or cleverly. But if the politics are too obvious or overt, then I tend not to like it. ¤
20.6% - It's OK, but I don't have strong feelings about it.
19.7% - I think it's terrific! In fact, I wouldn't mind if they did more political songs.
14.3% - The politics are irrelevant to me. All I care about is whether they're good songs.
07.6% - It all depends on the politics being espoused.
06.7% - I'm not fond of the idea, but it doesn't really bother me.
03.1% - I detest political songs, so I certainly don't think PSB should be recording them!
02.2% - I really don't care about it one way or the other.
00.9% - I don't mind political songs in general, but don't think PSB should be political.
00.4% - My opinion is quite different from any of those expressed here.*

*Here are a few excerpts from the comments offered by voters:

I consider an artist's political stand as affirmation (or not) of how I relate emotionally to their music.

I have to say Ifound the responses to this question were a little...pointed.… [A]ny political agenda the boys might or might not bare to us on their next album is unlikely to be all that radical at all. Furthermore, Idon't see how it would generally clash all that much with the views of most Pet Shop Boys fans, who tend to be fairly liberal at best. If not "extreme" in some of our cases.

When the media and press start to review Fundamental in a few weeks time, will they put the floating buyers off by badging it as a "political" album?! I certainly hope not. Nothing alienates the undecided public more than politics.

I respect them for being political. I think the issues of today need political responses.

At least we know that "I'm with Stupid" is capable of different interpretations, not all of them political. I rather like this—I love the political interpretation, but I also like pulling together the different themes in such songs.

Survey 248 - Week of March 5, 2006 *
How you feel about the name "Pet Shop Boys" (273 voters)

Which of the following statements comes closest to expressing your opinion of "Pet Shop Boys" as the name of the duo of Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe?

48.4% - I've always liked it. It's a terrific band name!
11.4% - It's OK—not great, but not bad.
11.0% - I don't mind it personally, but I think it's been a liability to them. ¤
09.2% - I didn't like it at first, but I can't imagine them as anything else now.
08.8% - I don't have any particular feelings about it one way or the other.
03.3% - They should have stuck with their earlier choice, "West End."
02.9% - I'm not very fond of it, but I can't say that I actually dislike it.
01.8% - I've always disliked it. It's a really stupid band name.
01.8% - I have an opinion other than any of those listed here.**
01.5% - I used to like it, but I don't care much for it anymore.

*Because I was out of town and unavailable to work on my website for part of the preceding two weeks, I didn't run any polls the weeks of February 19 and 26.

**Here are a few excerpts from some of these alternate opinions:

I believe it was decided very quickly and given Neil's talent for lyrics, I am sure given more time, he could have dreamed up something better. In my mind I always think of them as Neil and Chris.

It's a quirky, unusual, unforgettable name for a—well, a quirky, unusual, unforgettable pop group!… They must sometimes regret their choice though. Imagine how many times they've been asked by presenters, reporters, and journalists if they ever worked in a pet shop.

Most band names seemed like nonsense to me…. (Depeche Mode? Blow Monkeys?) After I grew up it occured to me that it was a silly name, but it's too late to do anything about it anyway.

To be honest, the name doesn't matter. There is no way they could create a band name as fantastic as they are.

I think the name "Pet Shop Boys" is OK. What I dislike of it is that, when you mention the group to not-very well informed people, they think it's a teen boy band like the Backstreet Boys, Boyzone etc. and you have to begin to explain who they are, what they've done, etc.

Survey 247 - Week of February 12, 2006
To which demographic group do you belong? (342 voters)

On the following matrix, to which demographic category do you belong?*

	Americans	non- Americans	sexuality totals
heterosexual males	10.2%	36.8%	47.1%
heterosexual females	02.3%	05.3%	07.6%
gay or bisexual males	18.1% ¤	24.9%	43.0%
gay or bisexual females	00.9%	01.5%	02.3%
nationality totals	31.6%	68.4%	100.0%

It's interesting to observe that:

the plurality of my site visitors, at least among those who took part in this survey, are heterosexual non-American males,
males greatly outnumber females among the participants,
the number of non-Americans is more than twice that of Americans, and
gays/bisexuals outnumber heterosexuals among the American participants, but heterosexuals outnumber gays/bisexuals among the non-Americans, as my friend suspected might indeed be the case (see the note* below).

While it's very tempting to extrapolate these findings to Pet Shop Boys fandom in general, it's really not valid to do so. For instance, the large predominance of males over females in the survey probably arises from the greater popularity of websurfing among males than females—a statistical fact. Still, even if it's not definitive or indicative data, it's definitely suggestive (so to speak).

*This survey was inspired by a conversation I had with a friend about the Pet Shop Boys and my website. He asked whether most of my site visitors (and perhaps most PSB fans) are gay. I said that, based on a poll that I ran a couple years ago, no, they weren't. But then he wondered whether there was a difference in this area between my American and non-American site visitors. That is, are most of my U.S. site visitors gay, while most non-Americans aren't? I said that I couldn't answer that question-that although I had done a demographic breakdown by geographic location as well, I had no data correlating location and sexual orientation. So he suggested that I try to find out. Hence this survey.

Survey 246 - Week of February 5, 2006
How Fundamental will fare compared to Release (266 voters)

How do you think the upcoming Pet Shop Boys album Fundamental will perform on the charts compared to their last studio album of all-new "pop" material, Release?

75.2% - I think it will do better than Release. ¤*
11.7% - I think it's still too early even to guess.
10.2% - I think it will do about the same as Release.
03.0% - I think it will do worse than Release.

*My rationale: Although already, pre-release, Fundamental is being widely perceived as a "comeback," its quality won't do any good unless the media play it up. It does appear, however, that the Pet Shop Boys are on a roll right now (what with the Madonna remix, among other things), so I think there's a good chance that the media will indeed help make the public well aware of it. If that's the case, then it will almost certainly fare better on the charts worldwide—yes, even including the media-saturated United States—than Release.

Survey 245 - Week of January 29, 2006
What one type of question would you ask them? (206 voters)

If you were to meet the Pet Shop Boys "in the flesh" and could ask them any one question-but only one-what type of question would it be?

21.8% - I would be totally starstruck and probably wouldn't even be able to ask a question.
16.0% - Something about their past or current music.
14.6% - Something about their future music.
12.6% - Something about their future plans as artists. ¤*
12.1% - I would respect their privacy and not ask any questions.
07.8% - I have no desire whatsoever to meet them or ask them questions.
03.4% - Something related to their hopes and ambitions.
02.4% - Something related to some aspect of their private lives other than their love lives.
01.9% - Something related to their love lives.
01.5% - Something about why they did something in particular that you've always found strange or confusing.
01.0% - Something about their biggest regret in life.
01.0% - Something about what other living person(s) they most admire or would most like to meet.
00.5% - Something about their religious or philosophical beliefs.
00.5% - Something about politics or social issues.
00.5% - A quirky question, like their shoe sizes, favorite beverage, or nicknames they had as children.
02.4% - Some other type of question not listed here.

Among these alternate questions (although some of them do overlap with the choices provided) were the following:

"Would probably be about some old music they may have listened to and found to be an influence."

"I'd ask Chris why did he really cut his hair short. I've always wanted to know that."

"I really would want to give them both a hug but probably would not dare!"

"My question would be about if they keep planning on giving us new songs as B-sides to their singles. We almost end up with a CD and a half what with B-sides."

"I would ask about unreleased material and planned singles."

[What this site visitor actually asked Chris at a "record signing" personal appearance] "I expect you're completely bored of this, aren't you?" Chris shrugged and said, "Well, I had nothing better to do!"

"I'd just be happy with an autograph. Or maybe even a piccy (although I'm sure I remember Neil saying he didn't like people asking for pictures. Or was it that he didn't like them asking for autographs…. Oh, well—whichever it was he didn't mind would be the one I'd go for)."

"I'd ask them if they would ever accept royal awards like MBE, CBE, or knighthoods from the Queen. Hardly anyone refuses but 'Sir Neil Tennant' just might. David Bowie very controversially refused a knighthood. I may ask how would Neil feel if Chris produced a few huge hits for someone else."

*This is assuming that I could indeed retain the presence of mind to ask a question. I don't believe that I would be too starstruck to ask them any question, but I do have the unfortunate tendency for my mind to go blank when I'm very nervous—I embarrassed myself on a radio "High School Bowl" thirty-some years ago, failing to answer questions that I knew the answers to—so I might not remember which question I really wanted to ask.

Survey 244 - Week of January 22, 2006
"Psychological" demo: real or fake? (203 voters)

A track that is allegedly an instrumental demo of the song "Psychological" from the upcoming Pet Shop Boys album Fundamental has been circulating recently and has even aired on some radio stations. Do you believe that this track is an actual PSB demo, or do you think it's a fake?

41.4% - I haven't heard it, so I can't say, or I have no opinion about it.
32.5% - I've heard it, and I believe it's a real PSB demo.
12.3% - I've heard it, and I think it's a fake. ¤*
05.9% - I've heard it, but I haven't made up my mind about its authenticity.
05.4% - I haven't heard it, but from what I've read I suspect it's real.
02.5% - I haven't heard it, but from what I've read I suspect it's a fake.

*As it turns out, I was dead wrong: as a comparison with the album track confirms, the demo proved to be legitimate.

Survey 243 - Week of January 15, 2006
PSB remixing Madonna's "Sorry" (268 voters)

Which of the following statements comes closest to expressing how you feel about the fact that Madonna's next single, "Sorry," has been remixed by the Pet Shop Boys?

47.8% - I love both Madonna and the Pet Shop Boys, so I think it's fantastic! ¤
19.0% - It's good news, to be sure, but I'm not especially excited about it.
13.4% - I'm no great fan of Madonna, but I guess it's a wise commercial move.
06.7% - It's at least 15 years late, but better late than never!
04.9% - I don't really care about it one way or the other.
02.6% - I detest Madonna, so I think it's terrible!
01.5% - It's at least 15 years too late—so they shouldn't have bothered.
01.1% - I have mixed feelings about it.
03.0% - I have an opinion other than those offered here.

Among these alternate opinions were the following:

"The sad fact is that I have a very low opinion of remixes in general (with some exceptions), so this news doesn't produce any emotion whatsoever."

"Writing and producing a song with her would be so much better."

"I nearly hate Madonna but I like PSB to remix her song."

"You're overdoing the Madonna 'Sorry' thing … didn't even bother voting in this week's poll."

"I am no great fan of Madonna, but her latest album is just great! I really like 'Sorry' and really look forward to PSB's version."

"I'm not a particular fan of Madonna, haven't heard anything from her lately, and I don't really care what she has released last couple of years. However, I'm always excited when something new arrives concerning the Pet Shop Boys."

"I don't like Madonna's latest record at all. In fact, I think it's bloody awful…. Oddly enough, I'm glad the collaboration's going ahead anyway. What I think would have been something would have been some PSB remixes of the Ray of Light material."

Survey 242 - Week of January 8, 2006
Unambiguously "gay" songs (292 voters)

Do you like it when the Pet Shop Boys record unambiguously "gay-specific" songs (like "Metamorphosis," "In Denial," and "The Night I Fell in Love"), or would you prefer that they didn't?

19.2% - Yes, I like it—about the amount they've been doing in recent years. ¤
17.1% - It's OK, but I have no strong feelings about it.
15.4% - I really don't care about it one way or the other.
14.0% - I don't mind it when the songs are a bit ambiguous, but I don't like for it to be too obvious.
11.0% - Yes, I like it! In fact, I wish they'd do a lot more!
09.6% - No, I don't like it at all and wish they would cut out the "gay stuff" completely!
08.6% - I don't particularly care for it, but I have no strong feelings about it.
03.1% - I'm not sure, or I have mixed feelings.
02.1% - Yes, I like it—but maybe they should cut back a little on the number of songs like that.

Survey 241 - Week of January 1, 2006
Resolve not to download Fundamental pre-release? (200 voters)

What do you think of the following New Year's resolution? — "I resolve not to download any unauthorized pre-release tracks from the upcoming Pet Shop Boys album Fundamental."

37.0% - "I'd be willing to make such a resolution—and to keep it!"
30.5% - "I'd never make or keep such a resolution!"*
21.5% - "I'd be willing to make such a resolution—but, to be honest, I'd probably have trouble keeping it."
07.0% - "I'm not sure—I'm undecided."
04.0% - "I'd prefer not to answer this question." ¤**

*However, saying that one would "never make or keep such a resolution" doesn't necessarily mean that one will download unauthorized tracks if given the opportunity. As one voter stated, "I voted for 'I'd never make or keep...' because it had never occurred to me to do such a thing as illegally download tracks. Making a resolution to not do so would be like resolving to not smoke or not use drugs or anything else I wouldn't have done anyway."

**At least not in public. I freely acknowledge my cowardice in this matter. But this way I, too, can enjoy the shield of anonymity—sort of.

All text on this website aside from direct quotations (such as of lyrics and of other nonoriginal content) is copyright © 2001-2019 by Wayne Studer. All Rights Reserved. All lyrics and images are copyright © their respective dates by their respective owners. Brief quotations and small, low-resolution images are used for identification and critical commentary, thereby constituting Fair Use under U.S. copyright law. Billboard chart data are copyright © their respective dates by Nielsen Business Media, Inc.

Will be the third single	Should be the third single
37.0% - Numb ¤ 28.7% - Integral 16.9% - The Sodom and Gomorrah Show 04.8% - Psychological 04.6% - Luna Park 04.3% - There will be no third single 01.6% - Twentieth Century 01.3% - Indefinite Leave to Remain 00.5% - Casanova in Hell 00.3% - I Made My Excuses and Left	43.0% - Integral 31.1% - The Sodom and Gomorrah Show ¤ 07.4% - Numb 05.8% - Luna Park 02.8% - I Made My Excuses and Left 02.5% - Twentieth Century 02.2% - Casanova in Hell 01.9% - Psychological 01.9% - Indefinite Leave to Remain 01.4% - There should be no third single