Rent (song)
Encyclopedia
"Rent" is a 1987 single by the Pet Shop Boys
. It was released in the UK by Parlophone on 12 October 1987. The lyrics deal with a financially one-sided relationship, i.e. that of a kept man, the title implying more specifically the lot of a rent boy; however, Neil Tennant stated in the Actually: Further Listening liner notes:
It peaked at number 8 in the British charts
. Producer Stephen Hague remixed the song for single release.
for the song was directed by Derek Jarman
. It features two intercut storylines. One, filmed in black and white, shows Chris Lowe arriving at King's Cross station
by train and walking past various low-life characters. The other, filmed in colour, features Margi Clarke
as the partner of a wealthy man (played by Alexander Thynn, 7th Marquess of Bath
), who is hosting a dinner party. The lyrics are sung by Neil Tennant
who plays her chauffeur. The woman becomes annoyed when the man pays her no attention, she then gets Neil Tennant
to drive her to Kings Cross. There, she meets Chris Lowe
on the platform and they embrace.
Pet Shop Boys
Pet Shop Boys are an English electronic dance music duo, consisting of Neil Tennant, who provides main vocals, keyboards and occasional guitar, and Chris Lowe on keyboards....
. It was released in the UK by Parlophone on 12 October 1987. The lyrics deal with a financially one-sided relationship, i.e. that of a kept man, the title implying more specifically the lot of a rent boy; however, Neil Tennant stated in the Actually: Further Listening liner notes:
"I've always imagined it's about a kept woman, and I always imagined it set in America. I vaguely thought of one of the KennedysKennedy familyIn the United States, the phrase Kennedy family commonly refers to the family descending from the marriage of the Irish-Americans Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr. and Rose Elizabeth Fitzgerald that was prominent in American politics and government. Their political involvement has revolved around the...
, for some reason, and imagined that this politician keeps this woman in a smart flat in ManhattanManhattanManhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
, and he's still got this family, and the two of them have some [sort] of relationship and they do love each other but it's all kind of secret..."
It peaked at number 8 in the British charts
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. Producer Stephen Hague remixed the song for single release.
Video
The videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
for the song was directed by Derek Jarman
Derek Jarman
Michael Derek Elworthy Jarman was an English film director, stage designer, diarist, artist, gardener and author.-Life:...
. It features two intercut storylines. One, filmed in black and white, shows Chris Lowe arriving at King's Cross station
King's Cross station
King's Cross station may refer to::* London King's Cross railway station in London, England** King's Cross St. Pancras tube station for London Underground lines.** King's Cross Thameslink, a disused railway station in London, England...
by train and walking past various low-life characters. The other, filmed in colour, features Margi Clarke
Margi Clarke
Margi Clarke is a British actress . She was born in Liverpool and raised in Kirkby , and is known for her Scouse accent and platinum-blonde hair.-Early career:...
as the partner of a wealthy man (played by Alexander Thynn, 7th Marquess of Bath
Alexander Thynn, 7th Marquess of Bath
Alexander George Thynn, 7th Marquess of Bath , styled Viscount Weymouth between 1946 and 1992, is an English politician, artist and author...
), who is hosting a dinner party. The lyrics are sung by Neil Tennant
Neil Tennant
Neil Francis Tennant is an English musician, singer and songwriter, who, with bandmate Chris Lowe, makes up the successful electronic dance music duo Pet Shop Boys.-Childhood:...
who plays her chauffeur. The woman becomes annoyed when the man pays her no attention, she then gets Neil Tennant
Neil Tennant
Neil Francis Tennant is an English musician, singer and songwriter, who, with bandmate Chris Lowe, makes up the successful electronic dance music duo Pet Shop Boys.-Childhood:...
to drive her to Kings Cross. There, she meets Chris Lowe
Chris Lowe
Chris Lowe is an English musician, who, with colleague Neil Tennant, makes up the pop duo Pet Shop Boys.-Childhood:...
on the platform and they embrace.
Cover versions
- SerbiaSerbiaSerbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
n punk rock band KBO!KBO!KBO! is a Serbian punk rock band from Kragujevac. They are one of the first hardcore punk acts on the former Yugoslav punk scene. Since the very beginning, the band accepted the DIY ethic by forming their own record label KBO! Records, through which they have released all their official releases...
recorded a version on their 2001 cover album (Ne) Menjajte Stanicu (Do Not) Change the Station). - In 2007, Thirteen SensesThirteen SensesThirteen Senses are a post-britpop band from Penzance, Cornwall. The group released the album The Invitation on 27 September 2004, along with several singles: "Thru the Glass", "Do No Wrong", "Into the Fire" and "The Salt Wound Routine", of which the first three have reached the UK Top 40...
covered the song to be placed on preloaded iPod NanoIPod nanoiPod Nano is a digital media player designed and marketed by Apple Inc.. The first generation of iPod Nano was introduced on September 7, 2005 as a replacement for iPod Mini. It uses flash memory for storage. iPod Nano has gone through six models, or generations, since its introduction...
. These were then given away as prizes at their May 2007 tour of the UK. - "Rent" has been performed live by Neil Tennant with SuedeSuede (band)Suede are an English alternative rock band from London, formed in 1989. The group's most prominent early line-up featured singer Brett Anderson, guitarist Bernard Butler, bass player Mat Osman and drummer Simon Gilbert. By 1992, Suede were hailed as "The Best New Band in Britain", and attracted...
and has also been covered by Carter USMCarter USMCarter the Unstoppable Sex Machine is a British indie rock band formed in 1988 by singer Jim "Jim Bob" Morrison and guitarist Les "Fruitbat" Carter. They made their name with a distinctive style of power pop, fusing samples, sequenced basses and drum machines with rock 'n' roll guitars and...
and Liza MinnelliLiza MinnelliLiza May Minnelli is an American actress and singer. She is the daughter of singer and actress Judy Garland and film director Vincente Minnelli....
on her 1989 albumAlbumAn album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
Results. - In 2002, the German ska-band Frau Doktor covered "Rent". It was released on their album Penner Superdisco.
- UK electro pop singer/songwriter Alexander Price recorded a cover version of Rent which was released as a digital download in September 2010.
12": Parlophone / 12R 6168 (UK)
- "Rent" (Extended Mix) – 7:06
- "Rent" (Dub) – 6:06
- "I Want a Dog" – 4:57
- also available on CD (Parlophone / CD R 6168)
Chart performance
| Chart (1987) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK | 8 |
| Germany | 10 |
| Switzerland | 10 |
| Sweden | 19 |
| Austria | 27 |
| Australia | 81 |