Dance to the Narrative

The Pet Shop Boys have a new album coming out in May, appropriately titled "Yes". This album sounds absolutely terrific, and will definitely be a top album of 2009 for Linguistics Lounge. Then again, any year this duo releases an album it will do two things-be awesome, and make me dance. Today's post is in honor of one of the best dance pop acts of all time.

Previously, I wrote about narrative construction in discourse, examining the narrative Morrissey has constructed for 25 years. Today I'll do the same with the Pet Shop Boys. Remember, I'm suggesting that discourse analysis extends beyond the typical realm of face-to-face interactions to include interactions with an imagined audience.

For the past 24 years, like Morrissey, the Pet Shop Boys have been having an imagined conversation with us. I've translated where appropriate.

When we begin, the Pet Shop Boys are feeling stressed out. It's difficult living in the big city, with so many choices on things to do.



The Pet Shop Boys are also sad because they've been feeling guilty about life choices lately.



As if these choices weren't enough to bum the Pet Shop Boys out, there's also war, starving people, and disease. Life's so tough!



Having resolved to think more optimistically, the Pet Shop Boys turn to the important task at hand-figuring out what to do with their free time in the city.



The solution, of course, is to go dancing! While out at the club, the Pet Shop Boys see that special someone who makes them all tingly inside.



The Pet Shop Boys next have to convince their love object that they should love them back.



The Pet Shop Boys' new lover has to leave town for business, and this makes them sad.



Sadly, it's not long before there's trouble in paradise, and the Pet Shop Boys become jealous or their partners' activities.




After seeing their significant other in many compromising positions, the Pet Shop Boys decide to leave their emotionally abusive relationship, but they're not sure how they'll get through it.



They console themselves by reflecting that love is unexpected, and difficult, but will work out in the end.



True to prophesy, although the Pet Shop Boys aren't sure they'll ever get over their previous love, something great happens!



The Pet Shop Boys decide to Go West with their new love interest and settle in San Francisco to live happily ever after.



There we have it, a constructed narrative discourse that the Pet Shop Boys have had with us for 24 years. If you've read seen the other post on Morrissey's narrative discourse, you'll note the themes of guilt, love, and finding understanding in the world are prominent with both groups. But the Pet Shop Boys remind us we can dance away our difficulties at the end of the day.