Neil Tennant - The British Masters Season 2 - Chapter 6

In the sixth episode of this series of the British Masters, our host John Doran speaks to Neil Tennant from British pop duo the Pet Shop Boys. They discuss the current state of pop music, the prospect of clubbing in the Berghain at the age of 81, and 'West End Girls' being a rap record, ahead of the release of their 13th album ’Super'.
In John Doran's own words:
“Today I’m meeting one of the all time great conceptualists of popular music: Neil Tennant. As one half of Pet Shop Boys he has been responsible for some of the greatest singles to ever grace the top 40. Now 35 years into their career, they are enjoying a rejuvenation in both energy and sound."
Previous episodes include:
John Cale: www.youtube.co....
Roots Manuva: www.youtube.co....
Jimmy Page: www.youtube.co....
Dizzee Rascal: www.youtube.co...
You Should Subscribe Here Now: bit.ly/Subscrib...
**
Subscribe to Noisey on KZbin to stay updated on our daily releases: bit.ly/Subscrib...
Videos, daily editorial and more: www.noisey.com
Like Noisey on Facebook: noisey
Follow Noisey on Twitter: / noiseymusic
Read our tumblr: / noiseymusic
Check out our Instagram: / noisey
More videos from the VICE network: www. vic...

[@fairdose]

I could listen to Neil talk all day long - not only is he an accomplished musician, journalist and writer, he's also made conversation into an art form. I wish I could be his best friend.

[@activelow9297]

If you were his best friend, you would be obliged to do unspeakable things.

[@markpalmer8083]

@TheClassicalSymphony What the Hell are you talking about.

[@crystalidentity]

@@activelow9297 LOL OMG - I *WISH* he would oblige me to do unspeakable things!!! (unfortunately, I'm a cis-female . . . 😭)

[@shannonhayworth8976]

Neil ' s speaking voice is so sensitive and tender, it could make me cry..... Incomparable pronunciation, perfect English. I wish I could have the chance to spend some time with him talking.

[@elenatria]

It's an angel's voice. It's the voice that tells you, no matter what it says, that "everything is going to be okay".

[@markpalmer8083]

Newcastle accent is very warm and friendly.

[@metsot]

Oh you will:) !

[@r7coo]

The only eloquent Geordie I have ever heard.

[@donniecatalano]

Neil's voice is another one of those unique ones, and nobody else comes close to sounding like him.

[@hermanmunster3358]

Hard to believe that Neil is now 66, and still making banging tunes. I was 14 when West End Girls hit the charts, and I was hooked from that moment. Well done Neil and Chris. Not many artists last 10 years, never mind 36, an AMAZING accomplishment.

[@ZeldaFitz]

Nice to hear an interview where Neil is not asked the usual boring questions that we have all heard a thousand times. I love how Neil is always spot on and correct with his dates,times & places. A throughly decent chap.

[@GenevaRob72]

Neil just blew my mind with his comment about "West End Girls" being a rap track...I never thought of it that way, but it is TOTALLY a rap song! In fact, the first number 1 rap track to hit number 1 in the U.S.

[@koisneurotypical]

Since I'm old, I remember when it came out, and I totally thought it was a rap song. Just like Wham!'s "Wham Rap" (which didn't hit #1 in the States but it's still an awesome white-boy rap song). :D

[@nigelfelixcheongde2980]

No, that claim belongs to Blondie's Rapture, which achieved it in 1981.

[@TheMontyfire]

@@nigelfelixcheongde2980 yes you are right ,1 in America and 5 in UK.

[@starlodear2987]

@@nigelfelixcheongde2980 But it's just part rap towards the coda. Rock Me Amadeus by Falco beat West End Girls by a few months to the US no 1.

[@rigsby1454]

Neil Tennant talking about Marvel comics is something I never thought I would ever hear!

[@Reprodestruxion]

Rigsby 1 well he is kinda like Magneto

[@maxine_666]

A really great artist and a very charming man. I love him

[@snuserdigg]

I just want to hear Neil talk all day. love his voice.

[@plasticlemons]

What a GREAT interview Neil is a great artist as well as observer of the pop scene he really knows his stuff backwards and forwards always with a laugh --GREAT interview could listen to Neil's voice all day--NOW you have to do one with CHRIS!!!!

[@pdubokc4852]

How can a person NOT love the Boys?? Neil and Chris are so talented and Neil's voice sounds incredible!! I will NEVER not be a Pethead. NEVER!

[@lebojay]

I love to listen to the Pet Shop Boys, and left to my own devices, I probably would.

[@mysterium.C]

‘Actually’ remains as being my fav album. I love Neil and Chris.

[@Luna_AlmondSF]

Same! "Actually" was my really first psb album

[@JammyGit]

I was a huge fan between the ages of 16-21 and bought every album from Please to Behaviour, all of their 12' releases, loads of imports, vhs videos, the 'It Couldn't Happen Here' film. I've still got all of my old PSB vinyl somewhere up at my folk's house, which I must make a point of finding out. I thought that all of their albums from Please to Behaviour were great, although my favourites are probably Actually and Behaviour. To be honest I stopped listening to them after Behaviour. I was 21 and I didn't like Go West & Es Sa Vida É and everything else from that era. I have rediscovered them again for the past year or so and as a guitarist, I've been transposing a lot of their songs as guitar arrangements, which is great fun 😊 I always liked Behaviour but listening to it again almost 30 years later I didn't realise just how good that album was when I listened to it the first time around 👍

[@USAPethead]

He is an absolute pleasure to listen to. Wish the interview was longer.

[@esha6973]

@3:12 Neil says: "And Chris's musical influences tend to be more dance music. Chris only really likes one thing, and that is euphoria. Now you can find euphoria in a very sad ballad. It's still a kind of .. a despair can be euphoric, whereas I have a more observational approach. So what we do is a compromise between those things." --> This is the most accurate description of what I find so fascinating about the Pet Shop Boys as music, performance and character for more than half of my life to this point. Songs like Birthday Boy or The way it used to be are the perfect musical incarnation of Neil's words.

[@psblove]

Exactly. I completely agree

[@azwildcat07]

Thank you for pointing that out. It's exactly the feeling I get each time I listen to their music. Who better to describe it than Neil himself.

[@hxcknall_]

I think Hotspot is now a perfect example for that quote. The normal album has that combination that we all love and adore. But the instrumental one shows that euphoric state that only Chris can create.

[@mastersoftoday]

100% agree, same thing with songs like You choose, Being boring, Somewhere, Discoteca, DJ Culture, I want to wake up, King's Cross, Hit and miss, Together, Do I have to?, King of Rome... hell, half of their catalogue is "euphoric despair", uniquely PSB blend of emotions

[@johnrichardson5713]

Very intelligent and articulate man, a legend and the voice/soundtrack of my youth, Chris & Neil, thank you for the music!!!

[@macabrecitrus2127]

This is one of the best interviews I've ever seen ! A well-informed journalist, with interesting questions and a good atmosphere... And they let Neil speaks, which is cool because his detailed answers are sometimes drastically cut in other interviews... And when it happens it's a pity !

[@iainholmes2735]

He may not like this, but he's a national treasure, just as much as builder's tea, rainy Sunday afternoons, Newcastle brown ale, kindness, fairness, hope, wit and wry humour.

[@gkeaoyrge]

What a nice interview! Haven't come across John before but he's really good! Seems to have done his research and doesn't just run with the usual questions.

[@airey773]

+kingofkeyboards watch the previous eps and season 1, he's good.

[@bounce1181]

+kingofkeyboards read the quietus, he's the editor-in-chief. loads of good music but also amazing journalism.

[@harryjenkins2793]

I love Neil Tennant!!! ❤️

[@Fatherjohn76]

I admire the gentleman that is Neil Tennant so much

[@dana.1546]

Great interview with a living legend of pop music.

[@snakeyuk]

absolute legend, i love this man! neil tennant is 1 of a kind, very unique

[@noorimeldaelle3403]

Honestly i first listened to pet shop boys when i was 7 years old and their first song that i listened to was 2 divided by 0 i listened on my uncle's cassette player. My uncle was born in 1961 i was born in 1982 so i grew up listening to david bowie george michael kim wilde kylie minogue madonna martika michael jackson and many others. And i still listen to pet shop boys. I am coming 37 next month and they are still going on strong. I love u pet shop boys.

[@johnrichardson5713]

2 divided by 0 was a beast of a track

[@noorimeldaelle3403]

@@johnrichardson5713 Hello John yes indeed. Honestly i am so happy that they didn't split up till now. Unlike some bands or groups! We supported them we buy tickets to see their concerts and then they split up!

[@claytonorchard300]

Got Disco and Please both on vinyl, timeless!

[@virvir80]

It’s always a pleasure listening to Neil’s voice and accent. Love his manners, too. He is highly educated, sensitive and elegant.

[@plasticlemons]

This is such a great interview the people at Noisy need to have this interviewer do a one on one interview with Chris Lowe

[@trizvanov]

Not sure I fancy seeing Chris just sitting there without saying anything for fifteen minutes

[@alangordon2062]

THE GUY IS CLASS AND A SHEER GENIUS..LOVE THE BAND

[@shamimehsanulhaque5244]

What a pleasure and honor it is to listen to this very intelligent and gifted man! I am wonderfully moved when I discover again and again that Neil and Chris, through their music and creativity, can connect to individuals like me who live thousands of miles away in a different continent, are embedded in a different culture and do not speak the same language. Kudos to John for hosting an excellent interview session, and all that great conversation unfolding in a most interesting setting. The questions were original and there was something very fresh about the whole atmosphere. The Pet Shop Boys are disarmingly brilliant and likable!

[@arclight2012]

I love Neil so much. I don’t mean that in a romantic or sexual way, he is just one of the best human beings that’s been put on the planet. He could be talking Dairy and I would still be listening! (Dairy Management, that is)

[@oldschoolraver78]

Einer der sympathischsten, populärsten Männer, die ich kenne. Absolut geerdet und seriös. Obwohl ich nicht schwul bin, verehre ich Ihn. Er begleitet musikalisch mein komplettes Leben. Heute bin ich 42 Jahre alt.

[@metsot]

Neil Tennant is so sophisticated and well-spoken:)

[@juliettejones6091]

I love the interviewer, he has a really light touch. Love this interview.

[@denisepaulsenful]

Love NT ❤ … I saw them in Glasgow late 80’s - always been a fan.

[@SolemAris]

I was shocked and fascinated when finally met Neil in Monterrey Mexico, he was the most charming and cool gentleman, he even offered me a handshake with a smile, and while looking into his beatiful blue eyes I was in heaven.❤❤❤

[@3anaurv2]

Fantastic interview with the king of pop.

[@etandekeijser2818]

So much more than a family, charity for petshopboys. You know in fact we share so many things in common that one would forget. Nils from the very center of the earth xx.

[@sharefail]

Super is an extraordinary album for a group so advanced in their career. For me, their greatest since Very and perhaps even Actually. Although Electric sounds a bit similar like a lot of their stuff from Bilingual onwards I can't really get into it. So Super was a very pleasant surprise.

[@mickmaloy]

Neil and Chris are just awesome guys.

[@thetornimages9289]

Please album would always give me the chills, the memories!

[@distortech2]

He's wonderful. Thanks for this. :)

[@noorimeldaelle3403]

Honestly i think noisey is really a useful documentary about music cause they featured various artist from different type of backgrounds. If u really would like to a singer and u don't know how or where to begin i think watching all these artists interviews about their experiences in music industry is really informative

[@markratcliff5646]

Tennant/Lowe best songwriters and producers ever PSB best band ever

[@TheIkaraCult]

Your debut single is the greatest song of the decade... Dusty Springfield had to pull over when she heard it on the radio. West End Girls is amazing

[@HaloAdmiral]

One of the juggernauts of music I’m the 20th and 21st century, he and Chris.

[@kiri101]

Wonderful series, love the host.

[@dominicward1078]

I LOVE this interview and have watched it several times!

[@jamesiles2101]

If you just listen to this video it sounds like Chris Lowe interviewing Neil!

[@williamchristian8705]

Love that he spoke on Marc Bolan. Saw T Rex in Long Beach,Ca. in I think 73.

[@andybass61]

Superb. What a man. Top interviewer also.

[@robertshirley9202]

Great interview

[@sjuvanet]

wow, amazing chapter

[@juliechesters5810]

Pet Shop Boys - love love love you. A lifelong fan

[@pamelamanriquez7397]

Neil Tennant. Un hombre interesante de escuchar❤

[@Bodyknowledge77]

Good chat gents!

[@alanhopkins3727]

love this series

[@r7coo]

Neil is balm for the soul.

[@trizvanov]

Who else went straight to their streaming service provider, looking for the 12" mix of "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" ? :D

[@ClassicRockMedia]

Neil is a Legend in music!!!

[@soniaelizabethvelazquezagu8058]

me hubiera gustado que estuviera subtitulada, ya que no entiendo mucho ingles

[@emillion4470]

To Neil's point about WEG being the first Rap song to hit No.1 in America (as opposed to Blondie's "Rapture"): "Rapture" is a song with a rap towards the end. WEG is rapping with a sung chorus. Still, "Ice Ice Baby" by Vanilla Ice is the " official" first no.1 according to Billboard. Go figure.

[@christopherth]

A most interesting guy.

[@AFancyHippo]

Well done to both interviewer and interviewee.

[@themotownboy1]

Blondie's "Rapture" was a #1 record withba rap in 1981 in the US. If you want to go back further, there was "They're Coming To Take Me Away" by Napolean XIV, a novelty hit in 1966 where the spoken words were recited in time with beat, just like in 80s on forward Rap. kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4KxemSBm6yLeKMsi=ecinAqqVhU4Iw_2 Also, Taylor Swift is the "Mrs. Slocum" of pop music..😅

[@jocymarsales]

Eu amo Pet Shop Boys!! Maravilhosos!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@tausti]

Great interview!!!

[@nhl041976]

John Doran is a legend.

[@mickeymouse7861]

I come from the same place as Neil Tennant, on the banks of the River Tyne. It's strange that he doesn't soond anything like I diy.

[@c.c.6194]

I love this man

[@niitsukid]

Neil tenant now looks like prince Andrew on the Atkins diet .

[@fviannaval]

Spot on!

[@BossySwan]

He’s cut down on all those Pizza Express trips

[@CartoonsAndGameShows]

Love PSB:)

[@davidconnor8000]

Brilliant ! XXX

[@zorankalina4399]

There is nothing....wish to add, but ....thanks🙂👌

[@ZZ-it1vy]

I agree with him, ZAYN is a good artist

[@natedoje4641]

great interview. gonna listen to some PSB now :)

[@irimius]

Fabulous

[@stephenjones529]

National treasure

[@cyberspacedance]

SUPER

[@miracermak4838]

I love your two...

[@kill.thekool608]

Omg Neil ❤

[@elcivilista]

La música de los PSB es patrimonio de la humanidad!

[@ahmetemreboyaci]

lmao it says 81 years old in the description, but he's 61

[@drexlspivey5828]

The very last few sentences of the interview is potentially dancing in a Berlin nightclub aged 81

[@Rafaeldeimperial]

///___ muy exclusiva entrevista ...

[@etandekeijser2818]

Nils is brilliant.

[@alexandrecarvalhorodrigues2269]

Pet shop Boys forever !

[@deldia]

He looks like senator Palpatine

[@BossySwan]

Senator Petshopine

[@MichalBeranPSB]

Nice

[@TheNeutralViewFromSwedenAKAHer]

I am visitor 22 222. Perfect, because I was never a winner.

[@EM.1.]

Neil was 61 at the time, not 81 as stated in your text above.

[@raquelmartinez2853]

❤️❤️

[@luizaugusto935]

7:03 What happened with the audio quality??

[@Avasive]

ShagarammmmmmmaaaaaA!!!!!!!

[@JiriKluzo]

[@madpaul6520]

At last a good interviewer

[@MrAdamGrainger]

You can see John instantly regret asking the Marvel Comics question.

[@etandekeijser2818]

Xx, should be common place

[@philg6757]

I`ve found this series very interesting. I`m not a fan of The pet shop boys at all but it always good to hear an artists opinion on whats whats in the music industry. BTW you boys look like you could do with a bit of sun,looking a tad pasty.

[@lonelyheroine]

The're in the UK. The sun only makes an appearance every other month or so. And I really don't think either Neil or Chris are into that hideous spray tan crap.

[@davidwilliams6966]

Looks like a slimmer more distinguished Prince Andrew

[@z00mnyanavira64]

Interesting

[@alejandrochang2602]

He worked for Marvel? Come on Disney! MCU cameo :)

[@jacobboneham7047]

Paul McCartney British Masters?