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Winner (Pet Shop Boys song)

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"Winner"
Song

"Winner" is a 2012 single by the Pet Shop Boys and the first to be taken from the duo's eleventh studio album Elysium. On 2 July 2012, it received its UK radio premiere on The Ken Bruce Show on BBC Radio 2. The following day, it was made available for download via iTunes.[1]

The track was BBC Radio 2's "Record of the Week" for the second week of July 2012.[2]

The track has been added on the B-list of the BBC Radio 2's playlists for three weeks.

Background

Neil Tennant commented the song Winner "is called ‘Winner’ and superficially it’s a sort of ‘We Are the Champions’ song but actually it’s not. It’s really about that moment...and really what’s important is the camaraderie of everything that got you there. Enjoy the moment, enjoy the memory cause it’s just a little moment."[3]

Reception

"Winner" received generally well reception. NME stated the Pet Shop Boys have released one of the most uplifting songs in the history of their songs.[4] Daily Telegraph said the songs patiently timed to match the Olympic mood, and "triumphant, low key; a very English take on things".[5] Popjustice commented that "Winner" "kind of works in the context of all the sport in the air at the moment, but as the lead single from a Pet Shop Boys album it’s probably the worst since ‘Before’". However, it stated that the three b-sides eclipse the lead song.[6] Metro stated that the single reminds us the pop icons "reminds us they do gently persuasive feelgood with panache".[7] guardian.co.uk commented the Pet Shop Boys kicked that idea round the studio and thought better of it".[8] Daily Star gave the song 9 out of 10 and commented, "deserving a gold medal for cashing in on Olympics fever, the duo's first taste of their new album is a gorgeous epic", and added the song is "such a lovely tune nobody can begrudge them their chance", and it is "a champion performance".[9]

Music video

The music video was directed by the Surrender Monkeys and the video contains the London Rollergirls, a Roller Derby team, and their new rookie, Dirty Diana, who happens to be transgender. The story highlights the inclusive message of the song and the Rollergirls, who are an all-women roller derby league that promote charity, teamwork and confidence in women by embracing everyone regardless of body shape, occupations, sexual orientation, race or nationality.[10] Conservative US gay commentator Andrew Sullivan, said it is ‘one of the very few videos I've seen that actually celebrates the life of the transgender person’.[11]

The music video received mixed reception. Film-news.co.uk commented the video is touching.[12] Sterogum stated the video "is an inspirational sports montage of sorts, but the inspiration doesn’t come from any athletic feats; it comes from the whole community-building side effect".[13]

The Pet Shop Boys received a letter, which thanked them for positively showing the Transgender Community. [14]

Track listing

Digital download
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Winner"Neil Tennant, Chris LoweAndrew Dawson, Pet Shop Boys3:48
Digital EP / CD single[15]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Winner"Neil Tennant, Chris LoweAndrew Dawson, Pet Shop Boys3:47
2."A Certain "Je ne sais quoi""Tennant, LowePet Shop Boys4:58
3."The Way Through the Woods" (Long version)Rudyard Kipling (lyrics); Tennant, Lowe (music)Pet Shop Boys5:42
4."I Started a Joke"Barry Gibb, Maurice Gibb, Robin GibbPet Shop Boys3:17
Digital download — "Winner" remixed[16]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Winner" (Andrew Dawson HappyHour Remix)Neil Tennant, Chris LoweAndrew Dawson (remix)4:40
2."Winner" (John Dahlbäck Remix)Tennant, LoweJohn Dahlbäck (remix)5:36
3."Winner" (Niki & The Dove Remix)Tennant, LoweNiki & The Dove (remix)6:06
4."Winner" (Andrew Dawson Extended HappySad Remix)Tennant, LoweAndrew Dawson (remix)8:06

Charts

Chart (2012) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[17] 69
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[18] 26
UK Singles (OCC)[19] 86
songid field is MANDATORY FOR GERMAN CHARTS 60

References

  1. ^ "Pet Shop Boys — News — Winner". Pet Shop Boys Partnership. Retrieved 03 July 2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  2. ^ "Pet Shop Boys — Pet Texts — Record of the week". Pet Shop Boys Partnership. Retrieved 05 July 2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  3. ^ "ABOVE & BEYOND IN CONVERSATION WITH THE PET SHOP BOYS". Mixmag. 02 August 2012. Retrieved 02 August 2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  4. ^ "Pet Shop Boys — Pet Texts — NME review". Pet Shop Boys Partnership. Retrieved 01 August 2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  5. ^ "Pet Shop Boys — Pet Texts — Winner review". Pet Shop Boys Partnership. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  6. ^ "Updated: Well the third Pet Shop Boys b-sides album is off to a good start". Popjustice Ltd. Retrieved 05 August 2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  7. ^ "Dizzee Rascal's Scream and Pet Shop Boys' Winner: Singles of the week". Metro. Retrieved 06 August 2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  8. ^ "This week's new tracks with Elis James". Guardian News and Media. Retrieved 04 August 2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  9. ^ "Pet Shop Boys — Pet Texts — Another Winner review". Pet Shop Boys Partnership. Retrieved 06 August 2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  10. ^ "Pet Shop Boys new video features trans rollergirl". Gaystarnews. Retrieved 24 Jul 2012.
  11. ^ "Pet Shop Boys new video features trans rollergirl". Gaystarnews. Retrieved 24 Jul 2012.
  12. ^ "Pet Shop Boys 'Winner' video released". Music-News. Retrieved 25 Jul 2012.
  13. ^ "Pet Shop Boys – "Winner" Video". Stereogum. Retrieved 23 Jul 2012.
  14. ^ "Pet Shop Boys — Pet Texts — The new video". Pet Shop Boys Partnership. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
  15. ^ "Pet Shop Boys — News — Winner single". Pet Shop Boys Partnership. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
  16. ^ "Winner remixed: Pet Shop Boys: Amazon.co.uk: MP3 Downloads". Pet Shop Boys Partnership. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  17. ^ "Pet Shop Boys – Winner" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
  18. ^ "Pet Shop Boys – Winner" (in French). Ultratip.
  19. ^ "Pet Shop Boys: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
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