Bronski Beat’s ‘Why’ remixed by Pet Shop Boys’ Neil Tennant and Superchumbo: Listen
Pet Shop Boys’ Neil Tenant features on the latest remix released as part of Bronski Beat’s 40th anniversary edition of ‘The Age of Consent’.
Out today, ‘Why?’ [Superchumbo Mix feat. Neil Tennant] is a shorter, faster version of the original 1984 anthem from the queer synth-pop group that incorporates Tennant chanting some of the original lyrics: “Name me an illness, call me a sin. Never feel guilty. Never give in. Tell me why.”
In a press release, Superchumbo (real name Tom Stephan) explained: “My goal was to create an updated mix that fits well with contemporary sounds while preserving the original intensity and energy.”
Stephan continued: “After I submitted the mix, Jimmy asked me if I could include a few more lyrics from the original song. I had recently watched a Pet Shop Boys documentary where Neil Tennant read some of his lyrics, which moved me to tears. I imagined Neil speaking these lyrics, creating a powerful contrast. I left Neil a voicemail on my way to a gig abroad and by the time I reached Heathrow I had his vocals on my phone, added them to the track on my flight, and played it that night!”
“I was fucking whooping like a banshee round my kitchen when Tom told me Neil would like to contribute!” Bronski Beat singer Jimmy Sommerville said. “To speak the lyrics of ‘Why?’ and to hear Tom’s musical reworking of the track is fucking mind-blowing. So to hear Neil, one of our greatest pop lyricists, speaking my words… It brings it into the here and now and also retains its history with my original vocal. I genuinely felt moved. It is a great honour to work on this iconic song with two legends who were lifelines to me while growing up gay in a small town.”
On the decision to work with Stephan, Somerville added: “I’ve known Tom for a good few years now and when I asked him if he’d like to do a remix of ‘Why?’ he said yes straight away. The song is a part of his story. I was so moved when he shared that story with me. The lyric is our shared experience as it is for so many others…and forty years later the lyric still tells the story of LGBTQi+….the hate, the violence, the discrimination, the imprisonment and state sanctioned murder of those who dare to be their true selves and it’s happening somewhere right now as I write this.”
The ‘Why?’ remix is the third from the deluxe album and follows previously-released ‘Smalltown Boy’ reworks by ABSOLUTE. and Planningtorock. Listen to it below.
Read DJ Mag’s recent feature about how Bronski Beat’s ‘Smalltown Boy’ became an enduring anthem of queer liberation here.