Episode 201: Pet Shop Boys – Please (1986) – Part 2

Welcome to Part 2 of Brian and Sarah's discussion of Please, the debut album from the Pet Shop Boys. In Part 1, our hosts set the stage by talking about the formation of the band, Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe's work with Bobby Orlando, the recording of the album with producer Stephen Hague, and the release and reception of the album. Along with special guest Andrew Dineley, our hosts also shared their personal histories of becoming familiar with Pet Shop Boys' music and their memories of the album Please.

In this episode, it's time for Brian and Sarah to start talking about the actual album tracks. However, Brian decides that instead of hosting a music podcast, he instead wants to start a math podcast! This seems to have been triggered by the title of the album's opening song, "Two Divided By Zero."

Thankfully, this math podcast idea seems to be short-lived, and the two hosts get back to discussing the music on the album. But it's not without some additional detours into academic subjects such as history and literature. There are references to pop culture as well, such as the 1986 Sprite soft drink commercial featuring Kurtis Blow, and a mention of Brian's dearly departed Apple IIe computer.

The second track on Please is one of the biggest songs of the 1980s. "West End Girls" has an interesting history, as two different versions of the single were recorded and released. Brian and Sarah talk about both versions, and then go on to discuss reviews, chart positions, the video, and much more. Because there's so much to say about this iconic song, our hosts decide that Part 2 is more than long enough discussing just the first two songs on the album.

So settle in on the late train—or wherever you like to listen to podcasts—and check out this epic-length episode!

West End Girls – 1986 Video
https://youtu.be/p3j2NYZ8FKs?si=Txk0BUtNL9y8y9M4

West End Girls (Lockdown Version)
https://youtu.be/YRNJ9GbNULM?si=kqtbL1ixaQbLIxDD

Flight of the Conchords - Inner City Pressure
https://youtu.be/cNfV1dTTMLU?si=odXhYPIzsjdjW1Mm

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PRP 007 Mini-Broadcast: Episode 10 – The Man with the Golden Gun (With Robbie Sims)

This is a rarity as far as Permanent Record Podcast episodes go. Yes, it's an episode with show notes penned by Brian and not Sarah. Sarah has one job once the episode has been recorded: to write the show notes. But this time, she was nowhere to be found and everyone's second-favorite host, who already does so much, was left holding the bag!

I guess I'll start with the stuff that is ALWAYS part of these 007 episodes.....

Since the beginning of the show, Brian has done his best to strong-arm discussion of Agent 007 into as many podcasts as he could. Finally he convinced Sarah to embark on a new mission: the Permanent Record Podcast 007 Mini-Broadcast!

This occasional series from your friends Brian & Sarah started with "Dr. No" and will work its way up to the most recent Bond adventure, and on the way, it will discuss and critique all of the 007 theme songs and other relevant recordings. It's a dream come true for one of the hosts - and for Bond fans everywhere!

Speaking of Bond fans everywhere, they will no doubt be delighted to learn that Robbie Sims, author of the delightful book Quantum of Silliness: The Peculiar World of Bond, James Bond, can once again be found co-hosting this installment with Brian and Sarah.

So, with this ninth 007 movie, John Barry returns to the fold and provides one of his most controversial title tracks! The PRP crew is going to break it down, give you the full story of how the score and the theme came to pass, and let you know what critics the world over think about it. They will also discuss the actual film, to see if any of them will claim to love/enjoy/like it. And somehow we get through the entire 90-minute show WITHOUT MENTIONING NICK-NACK!!! That seems almost impossible, I know!

Along with all of the MWTGG content, Robbie, Brian, and Sarah also talk about the new Lana Del Ray Bond theme, "First Light", co-written with legendary 007 composer David Arnold. And of course, the three hosts also spill all the details on Robbie's recent vacation to Thailand, where he visited a few movie locations, including Khao Phing Kan AKA James Bond Island! It sounds like a blast!!

And finally, before it all ends, Robbie is put to the test again with a series of Bond trivia questions, but not before he makes plans to update his will and Brian makes the most shameful plea for free/discounted stuff in the history of the podcast.

As Sarah usually states: It's an episode full of excitement, fun, and laughs that you won't want to miss!

Find Robbie Sims at

https://www.instagram.com/quantumofsilliness

https://www.threads.net/@quantumofsilliness

https://bsky.app/profile/quantumofsilliness.bsky.social

You can purchase Quantum of Silliness at https://thehistorypress.co.uk/publication/quantum-of-silliness/ or other reputable booksellers.

Read more at http://www.permanentrecordpodcast.com/

Visit us at https://www.facebook.com/permrecordpodcast

You can also find us on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@permanentrecordpodcast

Check out some pictures at https://www.instagram.com/permanentrecordpodcast/

Join the ever-growing crowd on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/permrecordpod.bsky.social

Leave a voicemail for Brian & Sarah at (724) 490-8324 or https://www.speakpipe.com/PermRecordPod

- we're ready to believe you!