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Single - Bilingual

11 November 1996

On November 11, 1996, 'Single-Bilingual' was released as a single. (It has a different title to the album version because Everything But The Girl have just released a single called 'Single'). "The narrator is a very glib Euro businessman, a glib Eurocrat who flies business class and likes all his privileges", says Neil. "He tries to pick up chicks at meet 'n' greets. Bet he's not really communicating, and he knows it. In actual fact he's a hopeless wreck. That's why it ends with a reprise of 'Discoteca'. He could be literally going to a club, but it's also saying he's a lost and frightened person". These themes are played out in superficially comic video filmed at Stansted airport. "That is", comments Chris, "what Neil is really like. It brings out Neil's true humour. He's not acting. Behind that sombre facade, that's what's there. Personality." To promote the single, the Pet Shop Boys make a rare semi-live TV appearance, performing two songs and being interviewed by Chris Evans on TFI Friday. During the interview Chris is given a straw donkey.

Tracks

Single bilingual

Discoteca (new version)

Single bilingual

Discoteca (new version)

The calm before the storm

Discoteca (Trouser Enthusiasts adventures beyond the stellar empire mix)

Discoteca (PSB extended mix)

Confidential (1992 demo for Tina Turner)

Single bilingual (Baby Doc mix)

Discoteca (Baby Doc mix)

Related

 

Other Singles

Headlines

30 August 2010
Pandemonium tour ends

For this year anyway.

12 August 2010
Xacobeo 2010

A surprise addition.

2 August 2010
V Festival

The end of the Pandemonium tour?

25 July 2010
Taiwan and Korea

Two festival dates this week.

11 July 2010
UK tour starts

UK tour starts in Blackpool on Tuesday.

On this day

1996: Bilingual is released.

2003: One of the participants in the highly rated U.S. version of the TV show Big Brother proclaims these immortal words: 'Pet Shop Boys! I love this band!' Meanwhile, still touristing in Turkey, Chris and Neil take a boat trip on the Bosphorus.

2005: The first in a series of live performances across Germany of the Boys' Battleship Potemkin score takes place in Frankfurt.

2006: After a two-week break, the Boys resume the European leg of their Fundamental tour in Germany at the Schlossgarten Ludwigslust.

Pet Texts

23 August 2010
Absolute Radio

Our interview with Absolute Radio at the V Festival yesterday can be found at the link below.

Facts courtesy of geowayne.com