Winner (Pet Shop Boys song)

2012 single by Pet Shop Boys

"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"

Released| 3 July 2012 (2012-07-03)
Genre| Synth-pop
Length| 3:48
Label| Parlophone
Songwriter(s)|

* Neil Tennant
* Chris Lowe

Producer(s)|

* Andrew Dawson
* Pet Shop Boys

Pet Shop Boys singles chronology
| "Together"
(2010)  | "Winner"
(2012)  | "Leaving"
(2012)

|
|

Music video
"Winner" on YouTube

"Winner" is a song by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys, released as the lead single from their 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 next day, it was made available for download, followed by a CD single and two digital bundles on 6 August 2012.[1] The track was featured as BBC Radio 2's "Record of the Week" for the second week of July 2012.[2] Its highest chart position in the UK was 86;[3] it reached number 12 on Billboard's Dance Club Songs chart.[4]

## Background

[edit]

In 2011, Pet Shop Boys were the opening act on Take That's Progress Live tour. During their free time, they wrote a number of songs, including "Winner".[5] They had decided to write a mid-tempo anthem after hearing Take That perform "Greatest Day".[6] Initially they felt the song, with its built in harmonies, was more suitable for a boy band to perform, and they offered it to One Direction as a potential Eurovision selection, but they never heard back. Producer Andrew Dawson convinced them to include it on Elysium.[7]

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."[8] Tennant likened this feeling to the life-changing experience of "West End Girls" becoming a number one hit.[7]

## Performances

[edit]

During the 2012 Olympic Games, Pet Shop Boys performed "Winner" before the start of the tennis tournaments on 28 July at Wimbledon.[9] The single was played between tennis matches during the Olympics broadcast.[10] Pet Shop Boys reprised their performance of "Winner" at the Athletes' Parade, celebrating the British team, on 10 September.[11]

## Reception

[edit]

"Winner" was generally well received. Several reviews noted the song's release in time for the Olympics in London. NME stated, "Pet Shop Boys have released one of the most uplifting songs in the history of the Pet Shop Boys."[12] The Daily Telegraph said the song was patently timed to match the Olympic mood and was "Triumphant, low key; a very English take on things".[13] 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.[14] Metro stated that the single reminds us the pop icons "... do gently persuasive feelgood with panache".[15] 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".[16]

## Music video

[edit]

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.[17] The story highlights the inclusive message of the song and the Rollergirls, a league open to all women, including transgender and intersex, as well as non-binary and gender expansive participants.[18] 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".[19]

There was positive reception to the video. Music-News.com commented that the video is touching.[20] 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".[21]

The Pet Shop Boys received a letter which thanked them for positively showing the transgender community.[22]

## Track listings

[edit]

Digital downloadNo.| Title| Writer(s)| Producer(s)| Length

|
|
|
|

1.| "Winner"|

* Neil Tennant
* Chris Lowe

* Andrew Dawson
* Pet Shop Boys

| 3:48

Digital EP / CD single[23]No.| Title| Writer(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 Boys| 4:58
3.| "The Way Through the Woods" (Long version)|

* Rudyard Kipling (lyrics)
* Tennant, Lowe (music)

* Dawson
* Pet Shop Boys

| 5:42
4.| "I Started a Joke"|

* Barry Gibb
* Maurice Gibb
* Robin Gibb

| Pet Shop Boys| 3:17

Digital download – "Winner" remixed[24]No.| Title| Writer(s)| Remixer| Length

|
|
|
|

1.| "Winner" (Andrew Dawson HappyHour Remix)|

* Tennant
* Lowe

| Dawson| 4:40
2.| "Winner" (John Dahlbäck Remix)|

* Tennant
* Lowe

| John Dahlbäck| 5:36
3.| "Winner" (Niki & The Dove Remix)|

* Tennant
* Lowe

| Niki & The Dove| 6:06
4.| "Winner" (Andrew Dawson Extended HappySad Remix)|

* Tennant
* Lowe

| Dawson| 8:06

## Personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from the liner notes for Elysium: Further Listening 2011–2012[25] and "Winner".[26]

Pet Shop Boys

* Neil Tennant
* Chris Lowe

Additional musicians

* Andrew Dawson – additional programming, guitar
* Pete Gleadall – additional programming
* Ryan Hoyle – drums

Orchestra

* Mark Robertson – violin
* Endre Granat – violin
* Ana Landauer – violin
* Peter Kent – violin
* Clayton Haslop – violin
* Sam Fischer – violin
* Neli Nikolaeva – violin
* Serena McKinney – violin
* Andrew Duckles – viola
* David Walther – viola
* Matt Funes – viola
* Jessica van Velzen Freer – viola
* David Low – cello
* Tim Landauer – cello
* Dennis Karmazyn – cello
* Victor Lawrence – cello
* Vanessa Freebairn-Smith – cello
* Jim Thatcher – French horn
* Lisa McCormick – French horn
* Rick Baptist – trumpet
* Rob Schaer – trumpet

Technical

* Andrew Dawson – production, engineering, mixing, orchestra arrangement
* Pete Gleadall – additional engineering
* Ryan Hoyle – drum recording
* Joachim Horsley – orchestra arrangement, conducting
* Ben Leathers – orchestra arrangement
* Mark Robertson – orchestra contractor
* Robert Fernandez – orchestra engineering, orchestra mixing
* Charlie Paakkari – string engineering assistance

Artwork

* Farrow and PSB – design, art direction
* Chiara Ferrari – model

## Charts

[edit]

Chart performance for "Winner"  Chart (2012)  | Peak
position

|

Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[27] | 55
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[28] | 16
Germany (GfK)[29] | 60
Japan (Japan Hot 100) (Billboard)[30] | 16
UK Singles (OCC)[31] | 86
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[32] | 12
US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)[33] | 8
US Hot Singles Sales (Billboard)[34] | 17
US Top Dance Albums (Billboard)[35]
"Winner" EP | 21

## External links

[edit]

Lyrics: Winner

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "New single". petshopboys.co.uk. 25 June 2012. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
2. ^ "Record of the week". petshopboys.co.uk. 5 July 2012. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
3. ^ "Winner by Pet Shop Boys". Official Charts. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
4. ^ "Pet Shop Boys Chart History: Dance Club Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
5. ^ Heath, Chris (2017). Elysium: Further Listening 2011-2012 (booklet). Pet Shop Boys. Parlophone Records. p. 1\. 0190295852788.
6. ^ Lucas, Dan (19 April 2013). "Pet Shop Boys: Always Fascinating". Under the Radar. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
7. ^ a b Heath 2017, p. 9.
8. ^ "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.
9. ^ "Wimbledon". petshopboys.co.uk. 28 July 2012. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
10. ^ Savage, Mark (5 September 2012). "Pet Shop Boys: 'We don't think about the old stuff'". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
11. ^ "Pet Shop Boys History: 2012". petshopboys.co.uk. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
12. ^ "NME review". petshopboys.co.uk. 1 August 2012. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
13. ^ "Winner review". petshopboys.co.uk. 26 July 2012. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
14. ^ "Updated: Well the third Pet Shop Boys b-sides album is off to a good start". Popjustice. 5 August 2012. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
15. ^ "Another Winner review (Metro)". petshopboys.co.uk. 6 August 2012. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
16. ^ "Another Winner review (Daily Star)". petshopboys.co.uk. 6 August 2012. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
17. ^ Brown, Jimmy (3 August 2012). "Pet Shop Boys 'Winner' by Surrender Monkeys". Promo News. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
18. ^ "We Are London Roller Derby". London Roller Derby. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
19. ^ "Pet Shop Boys new video features trans rollergirl". Gay Star News. Archived from the original on 27 July 2012. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
20. ^ "Pet Shop Boys 'Winner' video released". Music-News. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
21. ^ "Pet Shop Boys – "Winner" Video". Stereogum. 23 July 2012. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
22. ^ "The new video". petshopboys.co.uk. 24 July 2012. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
23. ^ "Winner single". petshopboys.co.uk. 18 July 2012. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
24. ^ "Winner remixed: Pet Shop Boys: Amazon.co.uk: MP3 Downloads". United Kingdom: Amazon. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
25. ^ Pet Shop Boys (2017). Elysium: Further Listening 2011–2012 (liner notes). Parlophone. 0190295852788.
26. ^ Pet Shop Boys (2012). Winner (liner notes). Parlophone. CDR 6869.
27. ^ "Pet Shop Boys – Winner" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
28. ^ "Pet Shop Boys – Winner" (in French). Ultratip.
29. ^ "Pet Shop Boys – Winner" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
30. ^ "Pet Shop Boys Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
31. ^ "Pet Shop Boys: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
32. ^ "Pet Shop Boys Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
33. ^ "Pet Shop Boys Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
34. ^ "Pet Shop Boys Chart History (Hot Singles Sales)". Billboard. Archived from the original on 17 January 2021. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
35. ^ "Pet Shop Boys Chart History (Top Dance/Electronic Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 November 2020.

* v
* t
* e

Pet Shop Boys

* Chris Lowe
* Neil Tennant

Studio albums|

* Please
* Actually
* Introspective
* Behaviour
* Very
* Bilingual
* Nightlife
* Release
* Fundamental
* Yes
* Elysium
* Electric
* Super
* Hotspot
* Nonetheless

Compilation albums|

* Discography: The Complete Singles Collection
* Alternative
* Essential
* PopArt: The Hits
* Story: 25 Years of Hits
* Party
* Ultimate
* Format
* Smash: The Singles 1985–2020

Remix albums|

* Disco
* Disco 2
* Disco 3
* Disco 4

Live albums|

* Concrete
* Pandemonium
* Inner Sanctum
* Discovery: Live in Rio 1994

Extended plays|

* Christmas
* Agenda
* Lost

Singles|

* "West End Girls"
* "One More Chance"
* "Opportunities (Let's Make Lots of Money)"
* "Love Comes Quickly"
* "Suburbia"
* "Paninaro"
* "It's a Sin"
* "What Have I Done to Deserve This?"
* "Rent"
* "Heart"
* "Always on My Mind"
* "Domino Dancing"
* "Left to My Own Devices"
* "It's Alright"
* "So Hard"
* "Being Boring"
* "Where the Streets Have No Name (I Can't Take My Eyes Off You)" / "How Can You Expect to Be Taken Seriously?"
* "Jealousy"
* "DJ Culture"
* "Was It Worth It?"
* "Can You Forgive Her?"
* "Go West"
* "I Wouldn't Normally Do This Kind of Thing"
* "Liberation"
* "Absolutely Fabulous"
* "Yesterday, When I Was Mad"
* "Paninaro '95"
* "Before"
* "Se a vida é (That's the Way Life Is)" / "To Step Aside"
* "Single-Bilingual"
* "A Red Letter Day"
* "Somewhere"
* "I Don't Know What You Want but I Can't Give It Any More"
* "New York City Boy"
* "You Only Tell Me You Love Me When You're Drunk"
* "Home and Dry"
* "I Get Along"
* "London"
* "Miracles"
* "Flamboyant"
* "I'm with Stupid"
* "Minimal"
* "Numb"
* "Integral"
* "Love Etc."
* "Did You See Me Coming?"
* "Beautiful People"
* "Love Life"
* "Together"
* "Winner"
* "Leaving"
* "Memory of the Future"
* "Axis"
* "Vocal"
* "Love Is a Bourgeois Construct"
* "Thursday"
* "The Pop Kids"
* "Say It to Me"
* "Dreamland"
* "Dancing Star"

Featured singles|

* "Hallo Spaceboy"
* "Break 4 Love"
* "She's Madonna"

Other songs|

* "King's Cross"
* "The Loving Kind"
* "The Night I Fell in Love"
* "I'm Not Scared"
* "In Private"
* "Nothing Has Been Proved"
* "So Sorry, I Said"
* "Don't Drop Bombs"
* "Losing My Mind"

Video albums|

* Cubism

Soundtracks and scores|

* The Crying Game
* Closer to Heaven
* Battleship Potemkin
* The Most Incredible Thing

Film, stage and television|

* It Couldn't Happen Here
* Closer to Heaven
* Pet Shop Boys: A Life in Pop

Tours and concerts|

* Fundamental Tour
* Pandemonium Tour
* Electric Tour
* Super Tour
* Dreamworld: The Greatest Hits Live

Related articles|

* CyberWorld
* Discography
* Songs
* x2
* Reputation
* Results
* Electronic
* Back to Mine: Pet Shop Boys
* West End Girls

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