Rent (song)

"Rent" is a song by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys from their second studio album, Actually (1987). It was released as the album's third single on 12 October 1987.

For the title song from the musical of the same name, see Rent (musical). For the song by Todrick Hall, see Quarantine Queen.

"Rent"
Single by Pet Shop Boys
from the album Actually
B-side"I Want a Dog"
Released12 October 1987
GenreSynth-pop
Length5:08 (album version)
3:35 (single version)
7:06 (extended version)
LabelParlophone
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Julian Mendelsohn
Pet Shop Boys singles chronology
"What Have I Done to Deserve This?"
(1987)		 "Rent"
(1987)		 "Always on My Mind"
(1987)

Song information

The lyrics are commonly thought to 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. Neil Tennant, however, 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 Kennedys, for some reason, and imagined that this politician keeps this woman in a smart flat in Manhattan, 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. Producer Stephen Hague remixed the song for single release.

Video

The video 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 Tennant, who plays her chauffeur. The woman becomes annoyed when the man pays her no attention. She then gets Tennant to drive her to King's Cross. There, she meets Chris Lowe on the platform and they embrace.

Cover versions
  • Serbian punk rock band KBO! recorded a version on their 2001 cover album (Ne) Menjajte Stanicu meaning (Do Not) Change the Station).
  • In 2007, Thirteen Senses covered the song to be placed on preloaded iPod Nano. These were then given away as prizes at their May 2007 tour of the UK.
  • "Rent" has been performed live by Neil Tennant with Suede.
  • Liza Minnelli included a version on her 1989 album Results, produced by the Pet Shop Boys.
  • Australian band The Triffids recorded a cover version in 1989, as a B side to the UK reissue of Bury Me Deep in Love.
  • In 2002, the German ska-band Frau Doktor covered "Rent". It was released on their album Penner Superdisco.
  • British indie rock band Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine released a cover of Rent as a b-side on their single "Rubbish" in 1990.
  • Field Music recorded a cover of this, along with "Heart" for their 2012 Record Store Day release, actually, nearly.
  • Matt Mancid & Color Theory released a 5-track EP with three different arrangements (synthpop, electro house, chillout) of "Rent" in December 2013, featuring Heather Alden of Faded Paper Figures on backing vocals.[1]
  • In 2019 Hungarian darkwave band Black Nail Cabaret released a cover version together with a cover of Desireless's "Voyage, voyage".

Track listing

7": Parlophone / R 6168 (UK)
  1. "Rent" – 3:35
  2. "I Want a Dog" – 4:57

12": Parlophone / 12R 6168 (UK)
  1. "Rent" (Extended Mix) – 7:06
  2. "Rent" (Dub) – 6:06
  3. "I Want a Dog" – 4:57
  • also available on CD (Parlophone / CD R 6168)

Charts
Chart (1987–1988) Peak
position
Australia (Australian Music Report)[2] 81
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[3] 27
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[4] 17
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[5] 11
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[6] 12
Ireland (IRMA)[7] 5
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[8] 28
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[9] 25
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[10] 23
Poland (LP3)[11] 1
Spain (AFYVE)[12] 21
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[13] 19
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[14] 10
UK Singles (OCC)[15] 8
West Germany (Official German Charts)[16] 10

References
  1. "Matt Mancid & Color Theory - Rent ft. Faded Paper Figures — Color Theory". 11 December 2013.
  2. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. p. 232. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  3. "Austriancharts.at – Pet Shop Boys – Rent" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  4. "Ultratop.be – Pet Shop Boys – Rent" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  5. "European Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 4 no. 46. 21 November 1987. p. 14. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
  6. Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 233. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
  7. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Rent". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  8. "Nederlandse Top 40 – Pet Shop Boys" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  9. "Dutchcharts.nl – Pet Shop Boys – Rent" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  10. "Charts.nz – Pet Shop Boys – Rent". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  11. "Lista Przebojów Programu 3" (in Polish). LP3. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
  12. Salaverrie, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Madrid: Fundación Autor/SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  13. "Swedishcharts.com – Pet Shop Boys – Rent". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  14. "Swisscharts.com – Pet Shop Boys – Rent". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  15. "Pet Shop Boys: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  16. "Offiziellecharts.de – Pet Shop Boys – Rent". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
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