Dreamworld: The Greatest Hits Live At The Royal Arena Copenhagen

[Towa]

I might be wrong here, but I think that the original composer doesn’t have the right to say no to a cover. However, if the cover contains new lyrics or in some other way adds stuff that makes it eligible for writing credits, the original composer can say no and PSB did add a some lyrics IIRC.

[Bucky Goldstein]

Depending on the publishing contract, would the original writer not have a say about the commercial exploitation of their song? I don’t know… I know lots of folk adore it, but if this is Willis being a ****, he’s improved the setlist for me.

[leesmapman]

Minor point of order, was it not a football chant *before* PSB covered it? And probably why

After.

https://deadspin.com/the-300-year-journ ... 789831401/



At halftime, Arsenal led 1-0 on an Ian Wright header. The stadium DJ played the Pet Shop Boys’ version of “Go West,” which had risen to No. 2 on the charts the previous year, and the PSG fans, led by the Boulogne Boys, started chanting “Allez, Paris Saint-Germain” along with the chorus. The Arsenal fans cheekily improvised their own version of the chant, one that reflected the scoreline—“One-nillll, to the Arsenal.”

[Patrick Bateman]

Minor point of order, was it not a football chant *before* PSB covered it? And probably why

No, The Village People version is from 1979 and certainly wouldn't have been a terrace chant before PSB covered it. Also, as the article above shows it was originally associated with Arsenal, who tended to win matches 1-0 under George Graham. It's definitely the Pachelbel's Canon part that makes it chantable anyway, so Johann really deserves the credit.

[jasonjohn]

I guess there's nothing to stop them play it live, but distribution on DVD is the sticking point?

Willis (or probably Morali) lifted some of the tune from other songs anyway

Don Moen - Give Thanks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blbslHDgceY
Alexander Alexandrov - Russian National Anthem https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0I917UPBzgk

If that's the case: Could they make an instrumental version based on Alexandrov's tune, and insert that in the DVD as an intermission or segue? Set it to some video art. Sad, but fan's won't mind if it's labelled properly.

[oakey]

This story gets weirder and weirder, I have never heard of songwriters being able to block cover versions being recorded. There are awful cover versions of well known songs out there that for sure were not recorded with permission of the original songwriters (think alone of the many karaoke CDs available).

Maybe things get different if the song/lyrics are altered, as was the case with Where the streets have no name and in a way also with Go West which has additional lyrics and that also credit PSB as songwriters. But why go after this live DVD? It's not the first PSB GW release since Willis won his claim to the songwriting credits of Go West and other songs.

It's probably a money thing but Willis having turned into a pro Trump and LGBT critic may not help their case. That Go West is dropped from their set list does not affect me (it was overplayed in my book) but casual and especially 90s fans will not like it not being played at PSB shows.

But even though Village People were big at the time, Go West was not one of their big hits. It became famous because of the cover by PSB and was later also featured in the movie Priscilla Queen of the Desert which also fuelled the ABBA/disco hype of the early 1990s. And it becoming a football anthem has always surprised me

[Nickname]

"Go West" should be included in a PSB concert, specially when you talk about a Greatest Hits Tour. We know is not Neil's favourite song and it was an idea from Chris to make a cover version. I think "Go West" deserve a better version to be played live. The last live versions of the songs are weaker than the original one. The version from Nightlife Tour was amazing, specially the final part with the backing vocals and the outro of "Go West". Well, you can say they made a cover of The Jackson 5 and Michael Jackson with "Can you feel it?".

I think Neil thought about the possibility of a cover version of "Stranger in Moscow", I don't know why.

[TwizzleUK]

I wonder if this will impact any upcoming plans for the digital single reissues?

[tottenhammattspurs]

So he doesn’t want the song associated as a gay anthem but he’s fine with it being associated with custard.


Right.

[leesmapman]

I think it's because Willis read a badly written (and probably AI generated) article about PSBs version of Go West in which Neil Tennant seemed to claim their version is better and this pissed Willis off.

[young.offender]

I think "Go West" deserve a better version to be played live. The last live versions of the songs are weaker than the original one. The version from Nightlife Tour was amazing, specially the final part with the backing vocals and the outro of "Go West".

Totally agree!!!
The Dreamworld Version is just awful. Especially the ending.
I miss the original ending.

[Fantaroux]

Well, I have a different point of view (from the same album, I know).
The double intro which come back at the end is excellent. Best part of the song, to me. Anthemic. And old football generic on french TV (sweet memories).

[Gnomic]

The Norwegian public broadcaster (NRK) showed the Copenhagen film on TV over the weekend, on Friday repeated Sunday. I don't know whether this is relevant to the publishing rights thing, but Streets/Can't take my eyes was edited out (mind you along with Rent, Jealousy, Domino dancing, New York city boy, Monkey B, so no chat and no "Welcome to Dreamworld, our world..."). Go West was very much included. This TV edited version not a patch on the proper one I saw at the cinema one cold January night. Not least cos I was edited out as well.

[Fantaroux]

On french/german TV (Arte), the show was edited as follows :

[herts101]

I got bored waiting for the Blu-ray so created my own version combinig the Finnish TV broadcast of Copenhagen, Isle of Wight (to add in Dancing Star, Loneliness and Bohemia), Glastonbury (so it includes Losing My Mind after Paninaro), and Preston (to get the newer Go West background video). I even added Funny Girls It's A Sin after the credits because it always makes me smile!

It's the first time I've watched it through on TV rather than live and my observations would be:

- It's astonishing really how much Neil has evolved as a performer - his exuberance and audience interaction is like watching a different person to the one from the 80s.
- On a similar note it's amazing how much having a live band changes things. I still remember on the Fundamental tour with one drummer Neil saying "who would have thought the Pet Shop Boys would have a live drummer on stage". So much more going on with the musicians now.
- The "silver dancers" really add an energy to the songs as well - it's a shame they're not at the Copenhagen gig.
- To be honest I'm not a real fan of the directorial choices of the Copenhagen film. Very static and dark and the crowd don't seem as into it as at the festival shows.
- Claire Uschima's voice is amazing!