Pet Shop Boys, "Being Boring"

Posted by Luminator (A) on January 2, 2021 at 22:51:38

In 1984-85, your 8th grade English teacher, Mr. Baumeister, would pull you aside. In a firm, measured, calm, and even voice, he would call out your helter skelter organization, incorrect grammar, unsupported evidence, lazy/undeveloped thoughts, maddening changes in tense, and lack of follow-through and tie-ins. But he also pointed out that your writing showed interesting perspectives. And, when you put in the effort, your writing talent made the stories come alive.

When Mr. Baumeister encouraged you to work on the "craft" of writing, you just protested that you didn't think your writing was any good, and didn't want to put in the work. You just wanted to play sports, study film, and listen to music.

So in 1989-90, you enter college. Lest you disturb your roommate, you go to the dorm's lounge, and bang on your electronic typewriter (no computers or word processors yet). You just hammer out random thoughts on sports, music, and audio.

30 years ago, the Pet Shop Boys came out with the wistful "Being Boring." It was written in response to slowly losing friends and family to AIDS.

And then, since you kept in touch with your old middle school classmates, you heard that Mr. Baumeister had died, on account of AIDS. And then you guys came to the realization, that he was gay. All along, you just thought that he was a nice man . And then, as you paused your typing, you felt like such a shmuck, for not listening to him, for not taking his advice to stop being lazy, and work on the craft of writing. You wiped away a tear, sighed, and put a new paper in the typewriter. With "Being Boring" wafting in the small lounge, you wrote a letter to the now-deceased Mr. Baumeister, apologizing for your immaturity, and thanking him for identifying a talent you didn't know you had. You wrote that you regret not being able to thank him in person, or to say goodbye. You would later take that paper, fold it into an airplane, and set it on the local stream.

"Being Boring" has always been a fan favorite, one which you're actually glad was not a hit. That way, you get to savor it and its influence. Because the music video showed male nudity, MTV did not play it. This further relegated "Being Boring" to cult status. And now, as we endure the coronavirus pandemic, "Being Boring" doubles down on its melancholy power.

-Lummy The Loch Monster

Being Boring (Open in New Window)

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Topic - Pet Shop Boys, "Being Boring" - Luminator 22:51:38 01/2/21 (1)

RE: Pet Shop Boys, "Being Boring" - fantja 19:51:17 01/4/21 (0)

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