Being Boring is a song written and performed by the British synthpop music band Pet Shop Boys. It is the opening composition from their 1990s album Behaviour, and it is considered to be one of the best songs from one of their best albums. The author of the song, Neil Tennant, said it is one of his favorite songs that Pet Set Shop boys ever created. Being Boring is truly a very beautiful and touching song and it has very interesting music and lyrics.
The main theme of the song is how human’s views on life change through the process of growing up. The song’s title, Being Boring, is a quote from Zella Fitzgerald, who once said that their generation was never bored because they were never boring. This phrase is the main leitmotif of the song and appears in the chorus and verses. This line helps the narrator to reminisce about his life: he mentions his teenage parties, relationships with friends, falling in love, and hopes to achieve success in music. The author is satisfied with how things turned out to be in the end, but he still likes to remember his careless youth. He misses those people who were close to him, but are now gone. The last verse finishes with very strong lines:
But I thought in spite of dreams
You’d be sitting somewhere here with me (Lowe & Tennant, 1990)
From the musical point of view, this song is also a masterpiece. In their previous albums, the sound was more energetic and active, but in Behaviour the band presented a new type of sound. It is still dancing music, but it has become more melancholic and conscious. So, the process of growing up and changing, reflected in the song’s lyrics, can be compared to the change in music style.
To conclude, Being Boring is a great and meaningful song and it is difficult not to resonate with its mood. Everyone will understand sooner or later that youth has gone and it can not be returned. This song evokes very bright emotions because it has a catchy melody and sophisticated lyrics. It is one of the best synthpop songs and it is hard to not fall in love with it.
Reference
Lowe, C. & Tennant, N. (1990). Being Boring [Song]. On Behaviour. Red Deer.