Pet Shop Boys Reaction Go West Video (LOVE!) | Dereck Reacts

[@Codex7777]

The original played on the phrase, 'Go West'. As in, 'go west, young man and make your fortune. It was by the village people and they made it about gay emancipation, to be found by 'going west' to California. The Pet Shop boys were playing with Cold War imagery, east vs west. They did so in a very tongue-in-cheek manner. Making the lyrics about the supposed Russian desire to 'Go West'. Thus you see a communist America. Being the Pet Shop Boys, they manage to make a lot of the Soviet iconography very homoerotic. Thus giving a knowing nod to the original meaning of the lyrics. :)

[@Destinyslotus]

West End Girls is also another fantastic Pet Shop Boys song.

[@sito7186]

Best song

[@arielwinns]

hell yeah!

[@Backoffboogaloo]

This song is amazing on so many levels. First it’s a cover of the Village People’s original, secondly the Pet Shop Boys took it and modified the chord progression so it follows the same progression as Pachelbel’s Canon in D, which is ALSO the same progression as you’ll get in the Russian National Anthem. They added the Soviet and American imagery together deliberately to make a political statement. Brilliant song. It’s musically very nerdy because it deliberately has the same chords as the Russian Anthem. Listen to the anthem now. You can sing the chorus of this song to the anthem.

[@stansolo4138]

" RENT " is a beautiful song by these guys

[@SolemAris]

Very is a magnificent album in both ways, the music and the way they created a new visual concept with all the costumes and every single with a different look like a Sci fi fantasy. I felt in love with this album as a teenager.

[@ericcantona3624]

Хорошо сказал 👍

[@johankaewberg8162]

Love the repeated displays of the Gagarin monument. Onwards and upwards!

[@joeclark1621]

Pet Shop Boys, Duran Duran, Depeche Mode = The pinnacles of 80s music greatness and music greatness in general.

[@oceanlover3530]

Pet Shop Boys (We were never) Being Boring, is one of my favorite tracks. The music video is awesome too!

[@zavinullava]

Oh, I'd love to see Dereck's reaction to that (and/or Domino Dancing)

[@donalokeeffe7504]

It's my favourite P. S. B Track. Behaviour is my favourite album

[@bernardodiaz7390]

This is a Pet Shop Boys cover of an original 70s song by Village People...The video is from 1991 so you should consider it a great feat of digital animation for that time.

[@arminfatol]

...I think video is 1993 :) . But yes, it's a cover from Village People.

[@slimlouis6441]

The video is late 93.

[@tekimod2059]

And at the same time, the cover of the USSR anthem

[@jivebunny3765]

1993

[@jivebunny3765]

@@slimlouis6441 Single was released summer 1993. It was out before Very was released in the autumn of that year. Shameful that Go West never got to #1 in the UK.

[@beavertown2006]

The Pet Shop Boys really know music.

[@morisdegraaf362]

Imagine how ground beaking this song was, men singing these lyrics. The Village People and especially the Pet Shop Boys made this song into a emancipation anthem. I'm happy that nowadays sexual identiy is a topic people generally can discuss out in the open. It's people like the Pet Shop Boys and, Elton John, George Michael, Freddie Mercury and many others who paved the way for young LGBT-people and society (not just LGBT) should be grateful for that

[@SentaiQueen]

It was not only about LGBT... but the freedom also.. I have many trans friends who are from Russia and since they left.. they feel free

[@william678910]

yeah...and now they're fucking up what these great artists made

[@aidenplaysyt2613]

@@william678910 Be quiet MacDonald eating pig

[@petsifakis]

Pet shop boys are the most elegant pop artists.Mostly in the 80’s were ahead of their time West end girls It’s a sin Rent Left to my own devices Domino dancing Always on my mind and of course Being boring(1990) all masterpieces.

[@metoo7557]

You should listen to "It's a Sin" by Pet shop boys. it's one of their best

[@sito7186]

West End Girls will always be their best song

[@nunogouveia6458]

That song and video are insane!

[@danfrost3043]

It's A Sin is awesome

[@MrElfyrion]

Derek Already React to It.....

[@MrElfyrion]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHzQnnmsl7KXgNU

[@ALBERTMIRC]

My favorite band!!! Love them ❤️❤️

[@modulator7861]

Possibly the catchiest song EVER in the history of music - and I could not love it MORE. This entire album was so incredibly fun. As for the 3D graphics: Considering this came out in the early 90's, frankly I'm amazed they could pull this off AT ALL. Personally, I think it STILL holds up, since they were obviously NOT going for "photorealism". I think the solid, blocky, 3D geometric "constructivist" architecture perfectly compliments the avant-garde future-retro vibe of the Pet Shop Boys' costumes, etc. Love it!

[@Backoffboogaloo]

Here’s something geeky for you: this song shares the same chord progression as Pachelbel’s Canon in D, which is also the same chords as the Russian National Anthem. You can sing this chorus along with the Russian anthem.

[@nunogouveia6458]

It looks a bit cheesy now but... when this was released this was state of the art 3D! And i'm sure the video was not cheap at the time because of it. This video was EVERYTHING! This was a big club banger but also one their biggest 90's Hits peaking #02 at European Hot 100. In US failed the HOT 100 peaking at #06 on Bubbling Under (so like #106) but #01 at Billboard Dance Club Charts.

[@RobertBelcher]

The Pet Shop Boys have a deep love and respect for the Russian people and culture. You will find many references to it throughout their career. BTW... This is a cover of the Village People song... "Go West" was a call for gay men to head west to San Francisco and make their own community. I've seen the PSB in concert six times and Sylvia Mason James was there for each concert except the last tour I saw.

[@markoprskalo6127]

Yes melody is actually a Russian anthem

[@Billis75]

One of their catchiest songs (imo) is Love Comes Quickly.

[@Mind-your-own-beeswax]

Bill Willis cracking tune

[@stevenwhite4802]

You can’t go wrong with anything from the Pet Shop Boys . I’m loving watching you discover all these “gay” icons during your pride week special. I was a teenager and young gay man when all these songs first came out....they are all still great. I’m glad you gave Erasure another shot...another of my all time favorite bands.

[@gaypridemexico2012]

THIS DUDES ARE CLASSIC POP & ELECTRONIC TOO !

[@ericcantona3624]

Сколько можно про геев писать, беря в учет , что PSB больше слушают нормальной ориентации люди.

[@marvelboy74]

Neil's voice adds so much melancholy to this song. That key change really hits me at the end and brings a bit of hope.

[@Revox67]

They close every show with Go West and it's glorious. Everyone leaves the venues in a great mood.

[@goonercestlavie]

Great band. Making catchy songs

[@seawyatt]

New York City Boy is worth checking out, but everything Pet Shop Boys is superb!

[@fjvbfjvb]

They’ve done other covers that are fantastic: Always On My Mind, Somewhere, It’s Alright, and the superb mashup Where the Streets Have No Name (Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You).

[@reb1959]

Thank you so much for honoring my request of this song. Love your channel.

[@ALBERTMIRC]

Listen Left To My Own Devices”!!!!!

[@leesmapman4764]

one of their best songs

[@goodygumdrops2105]

12 inch version

[@mschirmersf]

My first concert for them was in 89. So good.

[@petrichor649]

A truly great song

[@jonhinson5701]

I love it that you are so well informed about the history of these songs. It is a pleasure to watch your videos.

[@benwalker27]

Believe it or not record producers said their sound wouldn't work as it was too different, but 30+ years later and they're still going and people are still listening to & loving their music.

[@_imid_]

Pet Shop Boys were invited to the opening of MTV Russia in 1993. So they shoot some scenes in Moscow for this video. It's on the Red Square and on VDNH. You can see Lenin image and Yuri Gagarin statue in this video.

[@morningnapalm1519]

The video was inspired by the "Stairway to Lenin" segment of Zbigniew Rybczyński's epic music video "Orchestra," which encapsulated the history of the USSR, to the tune of Ravel's Bolero. The "Go West" song and video were released in 1992-93. The Berlin Wall fell in 1989, the Soviet Union was dismantled in 1991, so those who lived behind the Iron Curtain were now able to "Go West" to seek happiness, prosperity, and liberation, as represented by Lady Liberty in the video. For those of us who lived during the Cold War era, these major events marked the beginning of a new world order that made us hopeful for a brighter tomorrow. So even with the AIDS epidemic in the background, there was still some glimmer of hope that we were heading towards a new century of peace, freedom, and prosperity. This is what I think this video celebrates.

[@danielsegen]

Yassss..... great commentary!!! And we can’t forget how Russia and some others East Europe countries still maintain several anti-gay policies!!! So go west means liberty in many different senses... 😉

[@morningnapalm1519]

@@danielsegen Very true. It's a shame that 20 years into this century, we are still faced with the societal ills of the past centuries, i.e. homophobia, bigotry, racism, poverty, etc., but anyway, that's a topic for another time. Thanks for the compliment!

[@mindaugaskliukas8667]

On point!;)

[@letsplay1965]

So beautifully put. It makes me cry to be honest. So many beautiful lives lost but the great hope for those of us that lived

[@MariaCarabin]

Cool! I never knew that!

[@danfrost3043]

You just can't go wrong with the pet shop boys. Their music doesn't seem to age.

[@richardgribble8438]

Always loved this song, originally the Village People recorded it in the 70s, this was before HIV and aids so it was a happy carefree song that just made you feel good about us, we had no idea what was coming in a few short years

[@donalokeeffe7504]

Best British pop band ever!!!

[@joeclark1621]

Love your reaction bro. You have a great appreciation of great music.

[@christospanagiotidis6327]

OMG i remember that song it was not just a song no it was a Hymn ....and you still listen that song in football stadiums in Europe...LOVE IT Pet Shop Boys = Legends

[@luissanchezvalerio500]

FANTASTIC COVER , PET SHOP BOYS THE BEST FOREVER

[@joffness2]

I like your reactions Dereck. I heard this song just the other night in a movie called The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert about 3 drag queens who travel across the desert from Sydney on a bus that they christen Priscilla. Great photography and a lot of good music in it including a few ABBA songs.

[@petemartinez6717]

This was a huge hit with state of the art effects for its time

[@stevenklein3195]

One of there best! Great lyrics! Great beat! Terrific symbolism in video of emancipation from living in the USSR before its dissolution. Awesome video!

[@loveroftrueandlastingpeace]

I like how you provide context to the songs you react to👍😊 Not often seen and heard on other music reaction channels!

[@shawnharrison9922]

Jealousy is also absolutely fantastic

[@72andres]

Amazing song, great reaction, God bless all!

[@javierlb7826]

Love this song. its very symblic. 90s and 00s was the best pop rock era, to me. you can reac to Bon Jovi Always. Alanis Morrisette Ironic,,,, Hand in my pocket. The smashing pumpkings 1979,,,, Tonigh Tonight. Bjork Army of me,,,,Human behaviour. Aerosmith Amazing,,,,,CRazy....Hole in my soul. Roxette Sleeping in my car...Anyone. Beasty Boys Intergalactic.....Triple trouble..and many more ahaha. Great reactions dudeª!

[@Godshui]

PSB are living legends and still the bomb!

[@ENiGMATiC_ENiGMA]

The reason behind the video generated graphics is its one of a series from their "Very" album using the same technology where Chris Lowe had been scanned to create his image on the whole series as he was ill around that time and filming was tricky at times.

[@jivebunny3765]

Back in 1993, this video was reasonably cutting edge. There's a very much extended version/remix of this on the PSB extended listening edition of Very, the album from which Go West is taken. It blows the roof off the single version, and I love the single version. Also check out, if you can find it, a live TV performance of Go West from 1993 when the PSBs performed with a Welsh male voice choir.

[@technics291]

"The way it used to be" from "Yes" album. Pop at its best

[@andimusicjunkie3990]

After To deserve you by Bette Midler this is my second all time favourite song. Pop perfection!

[@robbohica]

That is my favorite song from the "Yes" album! Don't think it was a single, though, for some reason. I have a couple remixes too. Pop perfection, and haunting.

[@mariomartinez6040]

My all time favorite PSB song

[@andimusicjunkie3990]

@@robbohica At least they performed it live at their tour..

[@alistairrodgerfairbrother2479]

Yes that is Sylvia Mason-James she has an outstanding vocal voice she's work with the Pet Shop Boys for many years but I haven't noticed her voice 5 Albums

[@Destinyslotus]

A great British classic!

[@ZeNN-Music]

This track was actually first released on their album 'Very'. Astonishing artwork, you should google images of it; it was packaged in the now famous orange 'Lego-CD Box'

[@willswomble7274]

Which burglars stole from me - the CD replacement was an ordinary one. Thanks a million whoever you were Christmas 1999!

[@ownyourcrazy8734]

Neil and Chris purposely chose to be artificial when everyone else was stripping everything back. A lot of thought goes into each presentation by the duo: image, album, video, tour, the works.

[@rurome2151]

USSR symbolism… Red Star along with hammer and sickle. The Statue of Liberty was a gift to the US from France, and has served as an international symbol of liberty.

[@Richardred70]

Thank you Dereck for reacting to musical themes and groups from the 90s because now with 50 years of age, those of the X generation were easily moved to remember when we were 20 years old and how we vibrated with these songs. I admire you and I love you "Go West" is a song by the music group Village People. Originally released as a single in 1979, it was not as popular as other group singles released at the time, such as "Y.M.C.A." or "In the Navy"; However, the song was a success when in 1993 the Pet Shop Boys duo recorded a version of it. The song's title is attributed to the 19th-century phrase "Go West, young man" attributed to John Soule (and not Horace Greeley as many think), a support for the colonization of the Western United States. On the other hand, some have wanted to see in "Go West" an expression of a feeling towards the Californian city of San Francisco as a utopia of the Homosexual Liberation movement, or even of pro-western feeling in the communist world.

[@johnritter6864]

Lots of blue and yellow in the vid. Very apt!

[@vilmarjnr]

Good choice!!! PSB it's a great duo from 80's... Lovely

[@alejandrolunamontero1325]

Excelente canción,me pone a bailar.Saludos!

[@lucianocfreire]

I Just Love loooove your reactions it getting better and better to watching. Your taste for music are so good. I'm 45 years old and of course from 80's time. I had the happiness to see these songs released at the time ans seeing someone young like you appreciating these masterpieces is very amazing!!! Please react to "Dead or Alive" A Band formed by Peter Burns ... You wont regret that . "Come home with me baby" and "You spin me round" only for start lol. The beat are fantastic :)

[@construct3]

I like your comments a lot. The only note I'd give is that you misread the date. This cover was 1993 (not '83). The Soviet Union had already dissolved, and hope was in the air. Western culture was allowed and embraced much more fully than it was under Gorbachev, who had already begun to open up the U.S.S.R. to cultural expressions beyond the Eastern Bloc. So that's why the Soviet references were so important. This song was HUGELY popular in Russia.

[@mallaka8]

'Always on my mind' is without doubt one of the best cover versions ever made. Please react to it. It is a very special song. Rent and Its a sin are a couple more of my favs.

[@marcusseecharan7785]

The best cover ever

[@Bocalt]

Very was the very first cassette i bought as a kid, great album throughout. As a kid, I was looking for a mix of only the last part of the Go West

[@mindaugaskliukas8667]

It's really is a unique experience for me as a longtime PSB fan to observe this! You're quite on point, Dereck! Now, in general PSB have some cool videos, but I feel like this section of their world has been quite abandoned in recent 2 decades! I mean, here you see only singles, but PSB are so much more than that, it's really more about the music, not videos. You should listen to the entire albums, give a peak at their released past tours on dvd/blu-ray or even here on you tube - the live shows are yet another level! And as I said earlier, you've touched a holy grail here, will have to reach out for you on social media and give some references on the music! As for the videos lets's list my favourites here: West End girls, Suburbia, It's a sin, Rent, Always on my mind, Heart, Domino dancing, Being boring, Jealousy, DJ Culture, Where the streets have no name (I can't take my eyes off you), Can you forgive her?, I wouldn't normally do this kind of thing, Liberation, Yesterday, when I was mad, Paninaro'95, Se a vida e, Single-Bilingual, I don't know what you want but I can't give it any more, You only tell me you love me when you're drunk, I get along/E-mail, Flamboyant, Love etc., Axis, Monkey business!;) (I know it's a lot - 25 vids of one group to review, but mainly I recommend to review them personally, then you choose if you like to go on and post some on here!) Cheers!

[@sylviebertin7899]

génialisme ! j'adore..tellement beau..

[@anthonyjames4648]

Im so glad to have experienced the 80s in my 20s

[@mykbanify]

It is symbolic that the costumes of the duet participants - blue and yellow - are the colors of the Ukrainian flag! And in these costumes, Neil and Chris are on Red Square in Moscow! Guys in 1993 obviously guessed something)))

[@ДжулияН-б6е]

Начало песни - это гимн Советского Союза!!! Группа чуть переделала и выдает за свое. А хотя - везде написано, что их творчество - это ремиксы

[@seanwainwright573]

Hey Dereck, I remember watching this video in the uk for the first time in 3D with my cardboard 3D glasses that came free with a national newspaper. Maybe next try "in denial" by pet shop boys & kylie. She performed it live on the showgirl tour in 2005. Would be fitting for this weeks video selections.

[@isabelsilva62023]

Dereck Reacts It is their version of the unique Village People classic from 1979. The chorus is somewhat reminding of the Red Army Choir the same way the imagery takes you back to the USSR. Even at the time it was interesting because the Soviet Union was no more in 1993.Chris Lowe thought of the song when PSB were invited to an AIDS fundraiser in Manchester in 1992. PS: You obviously never got to see the USSR's military parades :-) The image with the 3 soldiers is real, they are guards at Vladimir Ilyich Lenin's Tomb, the mausoleum where his body has been on display since his death in 1924. Lenin is shown on the stone mural" leading the masses".

[@stevenklein3195]

Great comment of this. One of my PSB favorites. I always think of the May Day Parades at Red Square with the Soviet Soldiers marching in cadence with their eyes emotionless and the eyes right as they view the podium showing the Soviet leadership whenever I hear this song. The soldiers at Lenin's Tomb is great symbolism along with the other great examples of symbolism in the video.

[@chrisabbott683]

Try West End Girls, Being Boring, It’s a Sin, Jealousy and Domino Dancing as an introduction. So many great songs and still going strong in 2020.

[@negrogonzalez271]

Hi guy, I love this video.

[@zerogo40]

So much hope back then, now look what's

[@vlofvl]

Quite topical in that they introduce a black woman as ‘Liberty’

[@docksider]

The staircase with the statues is reminiscent of the staircase in "A matter of life and death" a fantastic film...

[@willswomble7274]

First performed by PSB at an AIDS benefit at the famous/infamous Hacienda club, Manchester, UK in 1992. Site is now flats in (now) booming central M.

[@tobiasmuller270]

The Soccer Hymne in all Stadions till today Greatings from germany and Borussia Dortmund

[@ieattofu68]

Even though I purchased their "Actually" cassette and really enjoyed it, I never purchase any other PSB albums and sadly I didn't even know this song existed until I started listening to music on KZbin and I remember the Village People and I don't even remember hearing the song from them either.

[@ingvarjensen1088]

So you have a LOT to discover, don't you 😉

[@Gaggyboy8]

So many of these documentaries fall down by not involving (and without sounding prejudice or bias) but a a lifelong straight Pet Shop Boys fan I think it adds a different dimension…just a thought

[@geordieboy8945]

Calling Pet shop fans, who were the male voice singers on the backing?

[@katehaynes5735]

I always interpreted this song as goinging west to San Francisco for its acceptance of gay culture. And I didn't even know it was a cover.... but I grew up in the SF Bay Area so it seemed obvious to me.

[@aeschynanthus_sp]

The album "Very" this song is from is my favourite Pet Shop Boys album. All the videos (Can You Forgive Her?, Go West, I Wouldn't Normally Do This Kind of Thing, are great, too, Liberation and Yesterday, When I Was Mad) are great. I think you should react to "Can You Forgive Her?"--it's in my top ten songs of all time.

[@dzfranny85]

Awesome👋🏻👍👌🏻

[@madpaul6520]

I know you've done a couple of PSB tracks but probably the best is So Hard extended mix video. It shows the night life of the North East of England. GIVE IT A GO you won't be DISAPPOINTED .

[@vwazp]

wow, of all the reactors, there's something about you that just takes the cake... you're totally absorbed by the thing you're reacting to.

[@GarethJDavis]

This was the first ever cassingle I ever owned! I wore it out let me tell you!

[@DereckReacts]

Did you do the pencil thing to fix the tape???😋

[@GarethJDavis]

@@DereckReacts repeatedly!!!

[@JudeAussie]

OMG! I forgot about cassingles.

[@deborahpaley21]

This is a sad song to me, as I had a lot of friend pass from AIDs in the 80s....in the 70s, gay men flocked to San Francisco to live free...the whole idea is to live in freedom and peace.Once men started getting sick and dying this song began to have such nostalgia to those days of freedom. I live in NYC and the scene was pretty similar to SF, so I remember a lot of those days.

[@3anaurv2]

It's not the only video they made like this. All the videos for the singles were computer generated. Can you forgive her and i wouldn't normally do this kind of thing are fantastic.

[@YanAOfficialPage]

Dereck I love you papi !

[@vendelayindustries]

More Pet Shop Boys please, the best pop Group ever! The list of great songs is endless; West end girls, Suburbia, Always on my mind, It's a sin, Miracles, Being boring, So hard, How can you expect to be taken seriously? ...

[@ENDTIMEsVideoLibrary]

It was supposted to look very future vision 1930s-40s.. not so serious so it really is still amazing and still funny..

[@claudiasalazar2067]

New York city boy, please!! ❤️😍

[@Telmaandl6]

Together ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@nelad]

End of the Cold War Pets Poptasm Go West Young Man, Go West!

[@andreachinazzi7946]

derek..this was music...not that bullshit from today.-)))) enjoy the 80ies

[@klutttmuttsprutt6087]

The Soviet union disintegrated in december 1991. Go west is littered with Soviet imagery like the hammer an sickle, stalinist statues, rockets, the red star falling and more. Here is a good article if you want to dive deeper: www.geowayne.com/newDesign/very/gowest.htm

[@feykabah]

This is one of my favorite songs ever! You should listen to Integral from them as well.

[@chrisboot2468]

When Neil and Chris were filming in Red Square (Moscow), the police and KGB were called and almost arrested!

[@johankaewberg8162]

The graphics were cheesy at the time, it’s intentional. I love the shot of the Gagarin Monument. Onwards and upwards (and west I guess).

[@mwsfly4644]

OK , OK , GO WEST ! 🇷🇺

[@Lazarus_Cardinalis]

The instrumental is also based on the USSR anthem with Canon in D's chord progression!