Winner (Pet Shop Boys song)

"Winner" is a song by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys, released as the lead single from ther eleventh studio album, Elysium (2012). It received its UK radio premiere on The Ken Bruce Show on BBC Radio 2 on 2 July 2012. The following day, it was made available for download, followed by a CD single and two digital bundles on 6 August 2012.[1]

"Winner"
Single by Pet Shop Boys
from the album Elysium
B-side
  • "A Certain 'Je Ne Sais Quoi'"
  • "The Way Through the Woods (long version)"
  • "I Started a Joke"
Released3 July 2012 (2012-07-03)
GenreSynth-pop
Length3:48
LabelParlophone
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Pet Shop Boys singles chronology
"Together"
(2010)		 "Winner"
(2012)		 "Leaving"
(2012)
Music video
"Winner" on YouTube

The track was featured as BBC Radio 2's "Record of the Week" for the second week of July 2012.[2]

The track has been added on the B-list of the BBC Radio 2's playlists for three weeks.

Background

Neil Tennant commented that the song "is called 'Winner' and superficially it's a sort of 'We Are the Champions' song but actually it's not. It's really about that moment...and really what's important is the camaraderie of everything that got you there. Enjoy the moment, enjoy the memory 'cause it's just a little moment."[3]

Reception

"Winner" was received generally well. NME stated, "Pet Shop Boys have released one of the most uplifting songs in the history of their songs."[4] The Daily Telegraph said the song was patently timed to match the Olympic mood and "triumphant, low key; a very English take on things".[5] Popjustice commented that the song "kind of works in the context of all the sport in the air at the moment, but as the lead single from a Pet Shop Boys album it's probably the worst since 'Before'", also stating that the three b-sides eclipse the lead song.[6] Metro stated that the single reminds us the pop icons "... do gently persuasive feelgood with panache".[7] The Guardian commented "the Pet Shop Boys kicked that idea round the studio and thought better of it".[8] Daily Star gave the song 9 out of 10 and commented, "deserving a gold medal for cashing in on Olympics fever, the duo's first taste of their new album is a gorgeous epic", and added the song is "such a lovely tune nobody can begrudge them their chance" and it is "a champion performance".[9]

Music video

The music video for "Winner" was directed by Surrender Monkeys and the features the London Rollergirls, a roller derby team, and their new rookie, Dirty Diana, who is transgender. The story highlights the inclusive message of the song and the Rollergirls, an all-women roller derby league that promote charity, teamwork and confidence in women by embracing everyone regardless of body shape, occupations, sexual orientation, race or nationality.[10] Conservative US gay commentator Andrew Sullivan, said it is "one of the very few videos I've seen that actually celebrates the life of the transgender person".[11]

There was mixed reception to the video. Film-news.co.uk commented the video is touching.[12] Stereogum described the video as "an inspirational sports montage of sorts, but the inspiration doesn't come from any athletic feats; it comes from the whole community-building side effect".[13]

The Pet Shop Boys received a letter which thanked them for positively showing the transgender community.[14]

Track listings
Digital download
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Winner"
3:48
Digital EP / CD single[15]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Winner"
  • Tennant
  • Lowe
  • Dawson
  • Pet Shop Boys
3:47
2."A Certain "Je ne sais quoi""
  • Tennant
  • Lowe
Pet Shop Boys4:58
3."The Way Through the Woods" (Long version)
  • Dawson
  • Pet Shop Boys
5:42
4."I Started a Joke"
Pet Shop Boys3:17
Digital download – "Winner" remixed[16]
No.TitleWriter(s)RemixerLength
1."Winner" (Andrew Dawson HappyHour Remix)
  • Tennant
  • Lowe
Dawson4:40
2."Winner" (John Dahlbäck Remix)
  • Tennant
  • Lowe
John Dahlbäck5:36
3."Winner" (Niki & The Dove Remix)
  • Tennant
  • Lowe
Niki & The Dove6:06
4."Winner" (Andrew Dawson Extended HappySad Remix)
  • Tennant
  • Lowe
Dawson8:06

Charts
Chart (2012) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[17] 55
Belgium (Ultratip Wallonia)[18] 16
Germany (Official German Charts)[19] 60
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[20] 16
UK Singles (OCC)[21] 86
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[22] 12
US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)[23] 8
US Hot Singles Sales (Billboard)[24] 17
US Top Dance/Electronic Albums (Billboard)[25] 21

References
  1. "Pet Shop Boys — News — Winner". PetShopBoys.co.uk. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
  2. "Pet Shop Boys — Pet Texts — Record of the week". PetShopBoys.co.uk. Retrieved 5 July 2012.
  3. "Above & Beyond in Conversation with the Pet Shop Boys". Mixmag. 2 August 2012. Archived from the original on 7 August 2012. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
  4. "Pet Shop Boys — Pet Texts — NME review". PetShopBoys.co.uk. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
  5. "Pet Shop Boys — Pet Texts — Winner review". PetShopBoys.co.uk. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  6. "Updated: Well the third Pet Shop Boys b-sides album is off to a good start". Popjustice. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  7. "Dizzee Rascal's Scream and Pet Shop Boys' Winner: Singles of the week". Metro. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  8. "This week's new tracks with Elis James". The Guardian. 4 August 2012. Archived from the original on 31 May 2015. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  9. "Pet Shop Boys — Pet Texts — Another Winner review". PetShopBoys.co.uk. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  10. "Pet Shop Boys new video features trans rollergirl". Gay Star News. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
  11. "Pet Shop Boys new video features trans rollergirl". Gay Star News. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
  12. "Pet Shop Boys 'Winner' video released". Music-News. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
  13. "Pet Shop Boys – "Winner" Video". Stereogum. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
  14. "Pet Shop Boys — Pet Texts — The new video". PetShopBoys.co.uk. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
  15. "Pet Shop Boys — News — Winner single". PetShopBoys.co.uk. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
  16. "Winner remixed: Pet Shop Boys: Amazon.co.uk: MP3 Downloads". Amazon. United Kingdom. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  17. "Ultratop.be – Pet Shop Boys – Winner" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
  18. "Ultratop.be – Pet Shop Boys – Winner" (in French). Ultratip.
  19. "Offiziellecharts.de – Pet Shop Boys – Winner". GfK Entertainment Charts.
  20. "Pet Shop Boys Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
  21. "Pet Shop Boys: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  22. "Pet Shop Boys Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
  23. "Pet Shop Boys Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
  24. "Pet Shop Boys Chart History (Hot Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
  25. "Pet Shop Boys Chart History (Top Dance/Electronic Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
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