I had kind of hoped someone had commented on this song, which is one of my favorites of Pet Shop Boys.
I have always had a strong belief this song is about a young and closeted, or recently open, gay boy meeting another boy in a similar situation. Just that awkward brief, and possibly chance, meeting when you first see someone with whom there is a spark. The song means a lot to me because I recall being that shy man, finally acknowledging to myself that I was gay, but so nervous as to how I might befriend another man. It wasn't the sexual attraction that scared me. It was wanting to find someone to learn with, whom I might possibly like, and not sure how to go about it. I was in the US military at the time, which heightened my nervousness at the prospect.
So all the lyrics in this, whether intentional or not, mirrored that feeling. I eventually made some friends, and even dated a man who remains a great friend. Everytime I hear this song, I recall that first meeting with him. The line "Smile, knowing why I approved of you, right from the moment you turned to face me," is magical to me. That instant spark when you when know someone touches you in some way and that you fancy them. It's the same for men, women, and for gays or straights. But this was the first song that spoke of it to me as a gay man.
"I never knew the world could operate this way," was how I felt, followed by the joy of realzing love was possible for me as well, as a gay man.
I'm not sure if that is what they mean when they wrote this song, but I'm glad they did. Because it is what the song represents for me.
I had kind of hoped someone had commented on this song, which is one of my favorites of Pet Shop Boys.
I have always had a strong belief this song is about a young and closeted, or recently open, gay boy meeting another boy in a similar situation. Just that awkward brief, and possibly chance, meeting when you first see someone with whom there is a spark. The song means a lot to me because I recall being that shy man, finally acknowledging to myself that I was gay, but so nervous as to how I might befriend another man. It wasn't the sexual attraction that scared me. It was wanting to find someone to learn with, whom I might possibly like, and not sure how to go about it. I was in the US military at the time, which heightened my nervousness at the prospect.
So all the lyrics in this, whether intentional or not, mirrored that feeling. I eventually made some friends, and even dated a man who remains a great friend. Everytime I hear this song, I recall that first meeting with him. The line "Smile, knowing why I approved of you, right from the moment you turned to face me," is magical to me. That instant spark when you when know someone touches you in some way and that you fancy them. It's the same for men, women, and for gays or straights. But this was the first song that spoke of it to me as a gay man.
"I never knew the world could operate this way," was how I felt, followed by the joy of realzing love was possible for me as well, as a gay man.
I'm not sure if that is what they mean when they wrote this song, but I'm glad they did. Because it is what the song represents for me.