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The Pet Shop Boys Song That Brought Dusty Springfield Back to the Masses in 1987
Pet Shop Boys' 1987 hit "What Have I Done to Deserve This?" paired Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe with 1960s pop icon Dusty Springfield, marking a pivotal moment in her career after years out of the mainstream spotlight. The duet reached number two in both the UK and US charts, showcasing how the collaboration revitalised interest in Springfield's artistry while cementing Pet Shop Boys' reputation as thoughtful hitmakers of the era.
The song originated in 1984 when Tennant and Lowe wrote it with American songwriter Allee Willis, known for co-writing Earth, Wind & Fire's "September". Springfield initially turned down the offer to sing on the track but changed her mind after hearing the duo's single "West End Girls", despite the record label having proposed alternatives such as Tina Turner. The collaboration's success later helped spark a broader career resurgence, culminating in her critically acclaimed 1990 album *Reputation*, for which Tennant and Lowe wrote several songs.
In short
- Pet Shop Boys and Dusty Springfield's 1987 duet reached No. 2 in UK/US charts.
- Springfield initially declined but was won over by "West End Girls".
- Song's success led to her acclaimed 1990 album, Reputation.
Explained simply
Dusty Springfield was one of Britain's biggest pop stars in the 1960s, known for a distinctive soulful voice and major hits. By the 1980s, however, she had largely disappeared from the mainstream music scene. Pet Shop Boys were a successful electronic pop duo of the decade who had already found major success with hits like "West End Girls".
In 1987, Pet Shop Boys invited Springfield to sing on a duet they had written called "What Have I Done to Deserve This?", which became a major hit on both the UK and US charts. The song had been written in 1984 but Springfield initially turned it down, only changing her mind after hearing Pet Shop Boys' own music. The collaboration brought Springfield back into the public eye after years away and sparked a broader career resurgence that culminated in a critically acclaimed 1990 album called Reputation, for which Pet Shop Boys wrote several songs.
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