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.