Pet Shop Boys Elaborate on Their Remarks About Taylor Swift

      Pet Shop Boys have elaborated on their comments regarding Taylor Swift in the latest edition of Annually.

      The year 2024 proved to be a significant one for the synth-pop icons, with their new studio album ‘Nonetheless’ receiving critical acclaim. Their live performances, titled Dreamworld: The Greatest Hits, also garnered praise, and the year concludes with new content and their very own tea set.

      However, there was a slight controversy when some remarks about American artist Taylor Swift in the Guardian sparked a heated online reaction.

      The New York Post reported that the English duo “slams” the singer, while Page Six referred to it as a “swipe,” setting off extensive discussion across the internet.

      In the new edition of Annually, the group's annual publication, a fan letter addressing this backlash provides Pet Shop Boys the opportunity to clarify their stance.

      To recall the original statement: “Taylor Swift sort of fascinates me as a phenomenon because she’s so popular and I sort of quite like the whole thing. But then when I listen to the records – we [Tennant and fellow Pet Shop Boy, Chris Lowe] both have the same feeling actually – for a phenomenon as big… where are the famous songs? What’s Taylor Swift’s ‘Billie Jean’?”

      Neil Tennant states in Annually: “I was asked about Taylor Swift by Alexis Petridis during our Guardian interview for the album launch. And just to share some of the responsibility here – if there is indeed any blame – Chris and I had been discussing this because Taylor Swift tickets had gone on sale. What intrigued us was her status as a massive multi-Wembley Stadium musical phenomenon, comparable to Michael Jackson or Madonna.”

      Chris Lowe adds: “Yet we didn’t know any of her songs.”

      Neil Tennant counters: “I’ve actually purchased four of her albums and listened to them in my car. I recognize she’s a phenomenon. But I don’t feel that there is a song in popular culture that everyone knows.”

      Comparing Taylor's work to Harry Styles’ album ‘As It Was’, he explains, “I’ve always defined a hit record as one that you have to make no effort to hear because it’s just there. You hear it coming out of stores… For Harry Styles, I didn’t try to listen to it, and I ended up buying his album. That’s the classic pop process. With Taylor Swift, during lockdown, I thought I should familiarize myself with this phenomenon. I bought ‘1989’ because I was intrigued by the claim from Rolling Stone that Taylor Swift had essentially created a Pet Shop Boys record. However, after listening to it years later, I couldn’t find any similarities to our music whatsoever.”

      “Anyway, my intention wasn't to be harsh when I spoke; when it gets reported in the media, it tends to say ‘Tennant attacked Taylor Swift’. I didn’t; I found it intriguing that so many tickets can be sold without appealing to a broad demographic. In contrast, I believe Michael Jackson or Madonna reached a wider audience.”

      Chris Lowe builds on this insight, noting: “That’s very true for pop music today. Pop music now exists within its own bubble and doesn’t reach out to the general public.”

      The duo reflects on the controversy, with Neil Tennant mentioning that he believed he’d made “thoughtful remarks” in the interview, but “woke up in the middle of the night” anxious about the consequences of discussing Taylor’s work publicly.

      Interestingly, Pet Shop Boys also encourage Taylor Swift to create a dance album. Neil Tennant remarks that “she has a poetic quality to her lyrics,” suggesting: “Not that she requires my advice – she should consider making a dance album where she sings whatever she likes over dance rhythms.”

      Annually is now available.