What is the title of the song discussed in the provided text?

The song discussed in the provided text is titled "Was It Worth It?".

Who is the musical artist credited with the song "Was It Worth It?"?

The song "Was It Worth It?" is by the English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys.

From which album was "Was It Worth It?" released as a single?

"Was It Worth It?" was released as a single from Pet Shop Boys' first greatest hits album, *Discography: The Complete Singles Collection*.

When was the single "Was It Worth It?" officially released?

The single "Was It Worth It?" was released on December 9, 1991.

What was the peak position of "Was It Worth It?" on the UK Singles Chart?

"Was It Worth It?" reached a peak position of number 24 on the UK Singles Chart.

What other new song was featured on the *Discography: The Complete Singles Collection* album alongside "Was It Worth It?"?

The other new song featured on the *Discography: The Complete Singles Collection* album, alongside "Was It Worth It?", was "DJ Culture".

Where was "Was It Worth It?" recorded?

The song "Was It Worth It?" was recorded at Sarm West studios in London.

Who produced "Was It Worth It?"?

The song "Was It Worth It?" was produced by Pet Shop Boys and Brothers in Rhythm.

When did Neil Tennant begin writing "Was It Worth It?" in relation to the album *Behaviour*?

Neil Tennant had started writing "Was It Worth It?" before the duo's fourth studio album, *Behaviour*, was released in 1990.

What contribution did Steve Anderson of Brothers in Rhythm make to the song?

Steve Anderson contributed a piano part to "Was It Worth It?", which Neil Tennant compared to the piano sound in the 1989 Black Box single "Ride on Time".

What is the musical structure of "Was It Worth It?"?

"Was It Worth It?" is structured in a call and response format.

Who provided the backing vocals for "Was It Worth It?"?

The backing vocals for "Was It Worth It?" were provided by Tessa Niles, Carol Kenyon, and Ghida de Palma.

What is the lyrical theme of "Was It Worth It?" according to Neil Tennant?

According to Neil Tennant, the lyrics of "Was It Worth It?" serve as a reaffirmation of the worth of love, embodying an "I am what I am" sentiment.

How did Neil Tennant describe the song's message regarding identity and life choices?

Neil Tennant described "Was It Worth It?" as a very gay-positive song, essentially stating that if he had to live his life over again, he would not change anything.

What reason was suggested for "Was It Worth It?" potentially underachieving on the charts?

Alan Jones, a chart commentator for *Music Week*, suggested that the single might have underachieved partly because the album *Discography* had already sold over 300,000 copies prior to the single's release.

What formats was the single "Was It Worth It?" released on?

The single "Was It Worth It?" was released on multiple formats, including 7-inch vinyl, 12-inch vinyl, CD, and cassette.

What was the B-side track for the single "Was It Worth It?"?

The B-side track for the single "Was It Worth It?" was "Miserablism".

What was the original intention for the B-side track "Miserablism"?

"Miserablism" was originally intended for inclusion on the album *Behaviour* but was ultimately removed late in the production process.

Why was "Was It Worth It?" excluded from the later compilation album *PopArt: The Hits*?

"Was It Worth It?" was not included on *PopArt: The Hits* because it had missed the top 20 on the UK charts.

On which later Pet Shop Boys releases does "Was It Worth It?" appear?

The song "Was It Worth It?" appears on the reissue *Behaviour: Further Listening 1990–1991* and the compilation *Smash: The Singles 1985–2020*.

What unique element is featured on the single cover artwork for "Was It Worth It?"?

The single cover artwork for "Was It Worth It?" features dolls representing Chris Lowe and Neil Tennant, created by a Japanese fan named Toshima Tada.

How did the dolls on the single cover relate to the *Behaviour* album cover?

The dolls on the single cover were depicted holding bouquets of red roses, mirroring the imagery of the real duo on the *Behaviour* album cover.

What were the background colors used for the artwork on the different vinyl formats of the single?

The back cover of the 7-inch single featured roses on a yellow background, while the 12-inch single had a blue background.

How is the music video for "Was It Worth It?" described?

The music video for "Was It Worth It?" is described as a "good-time dance film" set in a club environment, featuring people in drag.

What specific elements were combined in the music video's visual narrative?

The music video intermixed footage of the Pet Shop Boys performing at the nightclub Heaven with scenes from a club featuring a cast recruited from Kinky Gerlinky, who wore extravagant costumes.

What distinctive fashion item did Chris Lowe wear in the music video?

In the music video, Chris Lowe is seen wearing a tall orange hat from the women's line by Kenzo.

What did Dave Jennings of *Melody Maker* observe about the music of "Was It Worth It?"?

Dave Jennings noted that "Was It Worth It?" featured "the chunkiest, most muscular music to appear on a PSB track in a long time".

How did Barbara Ellen of *NME* describe the song's sound?

Barbara Ellen felt the song "sounds profoundly like a pastiche of every other song they've done before," but praised its "floor-scorching elegance" and "deadpan distortion of The Love Song."

What did Andy Kastanas of *The Charlotte Observer* note about the song's genre?

Andy Kastanas observed that the song demonstrated Pet Shop Boys' continued affinity for disco, featuring violins and a hi-NRG beat.

What comparison did Joe Brown of *The Washington Post* make for "Was It Worth It?"?

Joe Brown declared "Was It Worth It?" to be "a fierce disco anthem to rival 'I Will Survive'."

Who is credited as the songwriter for all tracks on the single releases of "Was It Worth It?"?

Both Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe are credited as the songwriters for all tracks listed on the single releases.

What are the track listings for the UK 7-inch single of "Was It Worth It?"?

The UK 7-inch single (R 6306) includes "Was It Worth It?" (4:22) on the A-side and "Miserablism" (4:11) on the B-side.

What unique issue was present on the US 7-inch jukebox single?

The US 7-inch jukebox single (S7-57696) mistakenly had the non-vocal dub version of "Was It Worth It?" on the A-side, and the B-side was mislabeled as "Miserablism" (Electro mix) with an actual length of 5:38.

What remix of "Miserablism" is featured on the US 12-inch and CD singles?

The US 12-inch and CD singles feature "Miserablism" (Electro mix).

Who is credited with remixing the "Miserablism" (Electro mix) on the US CD single?

The "Miserablism" (Electro mix) on the US CD single was remixed by Moby.

What other original tracks are included on the US CD single of "Was It Worth It?"?

In addition to remixes of "Was It Worth It?" and "Miserablism", the US CD single includes "Music for Boys" (Part 3) remixed by Altern 8, and "Overture to Performance".

What remix of "Was It Worth It?" is featured on the UK CD single?

The UK CD single includes a "Was It Worth It?" (dub) version, remixed by Dave Seaman.

Besides Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe, who are listed as additional musicians on the track?

Additional musicians listed include Greg Bone on guitar, Andy Duncan on percussion, Scott Davidson on programming, and Pete Gleadall on programming for the 12-inch mix. Tessa Niles, Carol Kenyon, and Ghida de Palma provided additional vocals.

Who is credited with the design of the single's artwork?

The design for the single's artwork is credited to Farrow/3a/Pet Shop Boys.

What was the peak position of "Was It Worth It?" in Finland?

"Was It Worth It?" reached number 3 on the Finnish charts (Suomen virallinen lista).

What was the peak position of "Was It Worth It?" in Germany?

"Was It Worth It?" peaked at number 19 on the German charts (GfK Entertainment charts).

What was the peak position of "Was It Worth It?" in Sweden?

"Was It Worth It?" reached number 17 on the Swedish charts (Sverigetopplistan).

When was "Was It Worth It?" released in Australia?

"Was It Worth It?" was released in Australia on March 23, 1992.

What is the purpose of the "Authority control databases" section at the end of the article?

The "Authority control databases" section provides links to external databases, such as MusicBrainz, which help identify and categorize the work and its releases, ensuring consistency in data.

Was It Worth It Pet Shop Boys Song Wiki: Pet Shop Boys' "Was It Worth It?": An Academic Deconstruction

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Song Overview

"Was It Worth It?"

Two male dolls holding red roses on a blue background

Single by Pet Shop Boys

from the album Discography: The Complete Singles Collection

B-side

"Miserablism"

Released

9 December 1991^[1]

Studio

Sarm West (London)^[2]

Genre

Hi-NRG^[3]^[4]
synth-pop^[4]
disco^[5]

Length

4:24

Label

Parlophone

Songwriters

Neil Tennant
Chris Lowe

Producers

Pet Shop Boys
Brothers in Rhythm

Pet Shop Boys singles chronology

"DJ Culture"
(1991)

"Was It Worth It?"
(1991)

"Can You Forgive Her?"
(1993)

Music video

"Was It Worth It?" on YouTube

Release and Chart Performance

Single Release

As a pivotal track from the Discography: The Complete Singles Collection, "Was It Worth It?" was released on 9 December 1991. It served as the second and final single from the compilation. This release marked a significant point in the Pet Shop Boys' career, as it concluded a remarkable streak of 16 consecutive top 20 hits on the UK Singles Chart, a run that began with "West End Girls" in 1985.^[6]

Chart Trajectories

While "Was It Worth It?" achieved moderate success, it peaked at number 24 on the UK Singles Chart. This performance, though respectable, broke the band's long-standing top 20 streak. Chart analysts suggested that the album's strong initial sales might have influenced the single's chart performance, as many fans may have already acquired the compilation.^[6] The song charted internationally as well, reaching number 3 in Finland, number 17 in Sweden, and number 19 in Germany, among other positions.^[15]

Composition and Lyrical Themes

Musical Architecture

The recording process for the Discography singles took place at Sarm West studios, with production handled by the esteemed group Brothers in Rhythm. Neil Tennant began crafting the lyrical framework for "Was It Worth It?" prior to the Behaviour album sessions, with Chris Lowe subsequently adding the distinctive chorus.^[2] Steve Anderson of Brothers in Rhythm contributed a notable piano arrangement, which Tennant likened to the impactful sound of Black Box's 1989 hit, "Ride on Time".^[2] The song is structured in a call-and-response format, featuring backing vocals from Tessa Niles, Carol Kenyon, and Ghida de Palma.^[7]

Lyrical Affirmation

Lyrically, Tennant described "Was It Worth It?" as a profound "reaffirmation of the worth of love, an 'I am what I am' sort of song".^[1] He further elaborated on its deeply personal and affirmative nature, characterizing it as "a very gay song. Very gay positive. It's basically saying: if I had to do it all again, I wouldn't change a single thing".^[2] This sentiment positions the track as an anthem of self-acceptance and the validation of one's life choices, particularly within the context of LGBTQ+ identity.

Visual Identity

Single Cover Art

The single's cover art prominently features meticulously crafted dolls representing Chris Lowe and Neil Tennant. These figures, created by a dedicated Japanese fan named Toshima Tada, are depicted holding bouquets of red roses, echoing the visual motif established on the Behaviour album cover. The design extends to the single's packaging, with the 7-inch vinyl showcasing roses against a yellow background, while the 12-inch vinyl and CD releases featured a blue backdrop.^[9]

Music Video Analysis

A Celebration of Joy and Expression

The music video for "Was It Worth It?" was conceived as a "good-time dance film," set within the vibrant atmosphere of a club environment. Director Eric Watson drew inspiration from iconic films such as Saturday Night Fever and Hairspray, alongside his experiences visiting the renowned London club night, Kinky Gerlinky.^[9] The video intersperses footage of the Pet Shop Boys performing at the Heaven nightclub with scenes from club settings featuring a cast recruited from the Kinky Gerlinky scene. These performers are adorned in extravagant costumes, contributing to the video's celebratory and expressive tone. Notably, Chris Lowe is depicted wearing a striking tall orange hat from Kenzo, maintaining a characteristically understated presence amidst the energetic festivities.^[9]

Critical Reception

Contemporary Reviews

Upon its release, "Was It Worth It?" garnered attention from music critics. Dave Jennings of Melody Maker lauded the track for its "chunkiest, most muscular music" and Tennant's "fey" yet "genuinely, surprisingly uplifting" vocal performance, noting its positive angle on themes of passion and regret.^[12] Barbara Ellen of NME, while deeming it "not their best," acknowledged its "floor-scorching elegance" and Tennant's vocal development, appreciating the unveiled expression of love and liberation.^[13] Andy Kastanas of The Charlotte Observer highlighted its disco and hi-NRG influences, while Joe Brown of The Washington Post declared it a "fierce disco anthem to rival 'I Will Survive'."^[3]^[5]

Track Listings

Official Releases

All tracks were written by Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe. The single was issued in various formats, including 7-inch vinyl, 12-inch vinyl, CD, and cassette, featuring different mixes and B-sides.

UK 7-inch single R 6306 A. "Was It Worth It?" – 4:22 B. "Miserablism" – 4:11 US 7" single S7-57696 (jukebox edition)^[a] A. "Was It Worth It?" – 5:15 B. "Miserablism" – 4:11^[b] US 12-inch single VNR 56243 A1. "Was It Worth It?" (12") – 7:13 A2. "Was It Worth It?" (7") – 4:27 B1. "Miserablism" (Electro mix) – 5:38 B2. "Miserablism" – 4:11	US CD single E2-56244 "Was It Worth It?" (7") – 4:27 "Was It Worth It?" (12") – 7:13 "Miserablism" (Electro mix) – 5:38 Remix by Moby "Music for Boys" (Part 3) – 5:40 Remix by Altern 8 "Overture to Performance" – 6:14 UK CD single CDR 6306 "Was It Worth It?" – 4:23 "Miserablism" (7") – 4:12 "Was It Worth It?" (12") – 7:13 "Was It Worth It?" (dub) – 5:16 Remix by Dave Seaman

Key Personnel

Contributors

The creation of "Was It Worth It?" involved the core Pet Shop Boys duo, Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe, alongside a team of talented musicians and production staff. The song's structure and sound were shaped by their collaborative efforts.

Pet Shop Boys
- Chris Lowe
- Neil Tennant
Additional Musicians
- Greg Bone – guitar
- Andy Duncan – percussion
- Scott Davidson – programming
- Pete Gleadall – programming (12-inch mix)
- Tessa Niles – additional vocals
- Carol Kenyon – additional vocals
- Ghida de Palma – additional vocals
Technical Personnel
- Pet Shop Boys – production
- Brothers in Rhythm – production
- Paul Wright – engineering, mixing
Artwork
- Farrow/3a/Pet Shop Boys – design
- Toshima Tada – dolls
- Robert Shackleton – photography

Historical Context

A Defining Moment

Released in the early 1990s, "Was It Worth It?" emerged during a period of evolving musical landscapes. As a single from a compilation album, it served both as a retrospective glance at the Pet Shop Boys' successful career and a forward-looking statement. Its position as the final single from Discography, and its subsequent chart performance, marked a subtle but significant shift in their chart dominance, underscoring the dynamic nature of the music industry and the challenges of maintaining consistent chart presence over time.^[6]

Notes and Clarifications

Release Specifics

Certain releases, particularly the US jukebox single, featured specific mastering anomalies. The A-side was mistakenly mastered with a non-vocal dub version, and the B-side was mislabeled, actually containing the "Miserablism" (Electro mix).^[a]^[b] The song's exclusion from the PopArt: The Hits compilation was attributed to its failure to reach the top 20, although its music video was included in the DVD edition.^[11]

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References

Actual length is 5:38.[14]

Kastanas, Andy (5 February 1992). "Sounds of Progress". p. 16. The Charlotte Observer.

Brown, Joe (27 December 1991). "Annual Top 10 Lists Of Weekend Music Critics". The Washington Post.

A full list of references for this article are available at the Was It Worth It? (Pet Shop Boys song) Wikipedia page

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This content has been generated by an Artificial Intelligence, drawing upon publicly available data from Wikipedia. It is intended for academic and informational purposes, providing an analytical perspective on the Pet Shop Boys' single "Was It Worth It?".

This is not professional music criticism or industry advice. The information presented is based on source material and may not encompass all nuances or interpretations. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy based on the provided source, users are encouraged to consult original documentation and scholarly works for comprehensive understanding. The creators of this page are not liable for any inaccuracies or omissions, nor for any actions taken based on the information herein.

Further Exploration

Official Resources

For deeper insights into the song's lyrics and the artist's work, consult the following resources:

Lyrics: Was It Worth It?
Official Music Video

Pet Shop Boys' "Was It Worth It?"

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Release and Chart Performance 🚀

🗓️ Single Release

📊 Chart Trajectories

Composition and Lyrical Themes ✍️

🎶 Musical Architecture

💖 Lyrical Affirmation

Visual Identity 🎨

🖼️ Single Cover Art

Music Video Analysis 🎬

🕺 A Celebration of Joy and Expression

Critical Reception ⭐

📰 Contemporary Reviews

Track Listings 🎧

🎶 Official Releases

Key Personnel 🧑‍🎤

👥 Contributors

Historical Context 🕰️

📜 A Defining Moment

Notes and Clarifications 📌

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Further Exploration 🔗

🌐 Official Resources

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Song Overview

Release and Chart Performance

Single Release

Chart Trajectories

Composition and Lyrical Themes

Musical Architecture

Lyrical Affirmation

Visual Identity

Single Cover Art

Music Video Analysis

A Celebration of Joy and Expression

Critical Reception

Contemporary Reviews

Track Listings

Official Releases

Key Personnel

Contributors

Historical Context

A Defining Moment

Notes and Clarifications

Release Specifics

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Academic Disclaimer

Important Notice

Further Exploration

Official Resources