West End Girls Lyrics

Lyric discussion by stuartindigo 

Cover art for West End Girls lyrics by Pet Shop Boys

This is about the "clip joints" in Soho London during the 80's/90's.

The West End Girls are the hostesses.

The East End boys are most of the Barmen, many of whom lived in the East End.

You think you're mad, too unstable kicking in chairs and knocking down tables in a restaurant in a West End town Call the police! There's a madman around Running down underground to a dive bar in a West End town

When trying to get the bill paid (sometimes 100's or 1000's of Pounds), kicking in chairs and knocking down tables would often be an intimidation technique (particularly in the more unscrupulous establishments).

Once the bill had been collected, common practice was to go to another club (usually owned by the same people), and hide there; so the Police, if/when called would find nobody there, or even a whole different staff

Too many shadows, whispering voices faces on posters, too many choices If? When? Why? What? How much have you got? Have you got it? Do you get it? If so, how often? Which do you choose a hard or soft option? (How much do you need?)

Again this refers to collecting bills.

We've got no future, we've got no past Here today, built to last

Most people were working here "on the black" - hence admitted no past.

In every city, in every nation from Lake Geneva to the Finland station (How far have you been?)

Most cities have similar clubs, and many of the girls were from other countries.

My Interpretation