Suburbia

Album: Please (1986)
Charted: 8 70
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song was inspired by the 1984 movie Suburbia, directed by Penelope Spheeris. The film is about young people growing up in the Los Angeles suburbs amid abuse and decay. Spheeris is very rock and roll: she directed the landmark 1981 documentary The Decline of Western Civilization, which chronicles the LA punk scene. She also directed the 1992 movie Wayne's World.

    Another musical connection to Suburbia: Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers appears in the film.
  • "Suburbia" was the fifth and final single from the Pet Shop Boys debut album, Please. The group had released "West End Girls" as a single in 1984, but it wasn't until they signed with EMI in 1985 and released a new version of the song that their career took off. In America, they had a steady stream of modest hits after "West End Girls," but in their native UK, they went gangbusters, landing four #1 by 1989.

    Club play had a lot to do with their success; unlike rock bands that built of fanbases by touring, they synth-based Pet Shop Boys stayed off the road.
  • Eric Watson, who also directed the videos for "West End Girls" and "Opportunities (Let's Make Lots Of Money)," helmed the "Suburbia" video. It was shot in both Los Angeles and London.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Queen

QueenFact or Fiction

Scaramouch, a hoople and a superhero soundtrack - see if you can spot the real Queen stories.

Grunge Bands Quiz

Grunge Bands QuizMusic Quiz

If the name Citizen Dick means anything to you, there's a chance you'll get some of these right.

Tom Johnston from The Doobie Brothers

Tom Johnston from The Doobie BrothersSongwriter Interviews

The Doobies guitarist and lead singer, Tom wrote the classics "Listen To The Music," "Long Train Runnin'" and "China Grove."

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors Examined

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors ExaminedSong Writing

Doors expert Jim Cherry, author of The Doors Examined, talks about some of their defining songs and exposes some Jim Morrison myths.

Bass Player Scott Edwards

Bass Player Scott EdwardsSong Writing

Scott was Stevie Wonder's bass player before becoming a top session player. Hits he played on include "I Will Survive," "Being With You" and "Sara Smile."

Who Did It First?

Who Did It First?Music Quiz

Do you know who recorded the original versions of these ten hit songs?