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John Wright

By: Darryl Smyers


It's hard to believe that England's Pet Shop Boys have been doing the synthpop/alternative dance thing for over three decades. During that time, the duo of Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe have managed to evolve with the musical tides while maintaining a sizable audience.

Although known for original songs such as “West End Girls” and “What Have I Done to Deserve This?” Pet Shop Boys have also carved out a successful niche performing cover songs. In honor of their second go around performing at Coachella on Saturday, here are their most successful cover songs.

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5. Always on My Mind (Elvis Presley)
Although commonly associated with Willie Nelson, the song was first made famous by Elvis Presley back in 1972. Written by Johnny Christopher, Mark James and Wayne Carson, it became perfect fodder for the electronics of the Pet Shop Boys, who released it in 1987.

4. Where The Streets Have No Name (U2)/3. Can't Take My Eyes Off You (Frankie Valli)
Since both of these songs were paired as a medley, released around the same time as 1990's Behaviour, it's easy to talk about both here. Tennant and Lowe always had the balls to tackle songs that many others would be wary to cover. Still, the guys in U2 and Frankie Valley should be proud of what Pet Shop Boys have done here, with two very disparate songs.

2. Go West (Village People)
It is always telling when a band can take a subpar original and turn it into something special. Featured as a single on the 1993 album Very, “Go West” became the biggest single of Pet Shop Boys' career.

1. The Last to Die (Bruce Springsteen)
Another brave choice well executed, “The Last to Die” was included on 2013's Electric, an album that received some of the best reviews Pet Shops Boys have ever received. Combining synthpop with The Boss was a crazily inspired idea that could have easily gone awry. Instead, like all of the songs Tennant and Lowe have chosen to cover, “The Last to Die” was a categorical success.

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