British synth-pop icons Pet Shop Boys have once again turned their sharp wit to the political landscape with their latest track, “Give Stupidity a Chance.” This new song delivers a satirical jab at figures like Donald Trump and Michael Gove, employing the duo’s signature ironic style to dissect the absurdities of contemporary politics.
The song, characterized by its upbeat tempo, is layered with irony, advocating for a world centered on self-interest and free from the constraints of political correctness. Neil Tennant’s lyrics cleverly articulate this sentiment, proclaiming, “Intelligent people have had their say / It’s time for the foolish to show the way … We’ve had quite enough of experts and their dealings / Why face the facts when you can just feel the feelings?” This directly echoes Michael Gove’s infamous pre-Brexit statement suggesting that the public had “had enough of experts,” highlighting a prevailing sentiment of anti-intellectualism.
Further into the song, the satire sharpens its focus on Donald Trump. Tennant sings, “Chicks are always up for it / You’ve got to grab whatever you can / We need a leader who knows money means class / With an eye for a peach-perfect piece of ass.” These lines are a thinly veiled reference to the infamousAccess Hollywoodtape where Trump boasted about grabbing women “by the pussy,” and allude to the numerous accusations of sexual misconduct he has faced. Through these lyrics, Pet Shop Boys critique not only Trump’s vulgarity but also a broader culture of objectification and entitlement.
The song’s political commentary extends beyond individual figures to critique broader geopolitical strategies. The line “instead of governing with thoughtful sensitivity / let’s shock and awe the world with idiotic bigotry” directly references the “shock and awe” military doctrine, particularly associated with the 2003 invasion of Iraq. This lyric broadens the song’s scope, linking individual political figures to aggressive and insensitive global policies.
Pet Shop Boys have a long history of weaving political commentary into their music. From their 1985 hit “Opportunities (Let’s Make Lots of Money),” which satirized Thatcher-era self-interest, to their 1993 cover of “Go West,” subtly championing gay rights, their discography is rich with social and political observations. They even publicly advocated for the pardon of Alan Turing, highlighting their commitment to social justice.
Their 2006 track “I’m With Stupid” served as a veiled critique of Tony Blair and George Bush’s relationship, questioning the UK’s alignment with US foreign policy. Similarly, “Integral,” released in the same year, criticized government surveillance and proposed national ID card schemes, leading Neil Tennant to renounce his Labour membership in protest.
Having released their most recent studio album, “Super,” in 2016, and with remastered versions of their back catalog now available, “Give Stupidity a Chance” demonstrates that Pet Shop Boys remain as relevant and politically engaged as ever. Their new song is a testament to their enduring ability to blend catchy synth-pop with incisive social commentary, offering a timely and satirical reflection on the current political climate.
