“To Step Aside” by Pet Shop Boys
Pet Shop Boys’ “To Step Aside” is a bit complex, in that in reality it deals with a number of topics. However, underneath it all is this notion of the narrator being discontent with his life. As depicted in the second verse, he knows the “fate” of the average man, like himself, is basically to work his ass off with minimal fulfillment.
And later in the song, the singer also expresses concern about the faithfulness of his significant other.
So concerning the title, it appears what the singer is doing is contemplating starting a new life or at least making a conscientious attempt to forget how sad he has become, or something like that.
Or, perhaps the best way we can explain what’s going on is that he wants to “step aside” and get a fresh lease on life alright. But at the same time, it’s also clear that he doesn’t really know how to go about doing so.
Facts about “To Step Aside”
Artist(s): Pet Shop Boys
Album/EP: “Bilingual”
Did the Pet Shop Boys release “To Step Aside” as a single?
Yes. It was a 1996 single released from their famous “Bilingual” album. September 2 of 1996 was its precise date of release.
Writing and Production
It was written by members of the Pet Shop Boys, Chris Lowe and Neil Tennant. The duo also produced it with assistance from Chris Porter.
Genre(s)
- Electronic Dance Music
- Pop
Awards/Honors:
“To Step Aside” and four other songs were nominated for the award, “Best Dance Recording” at the Grammys in 1998. However, Donna Summer and Giorgio Moroder’s “Carry On” won the award. The other nominees were:
- Daft Punk’s “Da Funk”
- Gina G’s “Ooh Aah… Just a Little Bit”
- Quad City DJ’s “Space Jam”
Pet Shop Boys’ “Bilingual” Album
English synthpop duo Pet Shop Boys released “To Step Aside” as part of their 1996 album, Bilingual. It is their sixth studio album and was released by Parlophone on September 2, 1996.
The album consisted of twelve songs written by the duo, except for the fifth song, Se a vida é (That’s the Way Life Is), which Tennant wrote himself.
Pet Shop Boys, Chris Porter, Paul Roberts, Danny Tenaglia, and Andy Williams produced the entire album. It was also recorded in many studios, including Sound Recording in Moscow and Sarm Hook End in London.
All the songs on the album were huge global commercial successes. Three of them, A Red Letter Day, Before and Se a vida é (That’s the Way Life Is), peaked at the 10 of U.K.’s singles chart. In addition, To step Aside received a Grammy award nomination for best dance recording in 1998.
Bilingual has received gold certifications from Japan (RIAJ), United Kingdom (B.P.I.), and platinum certification from Spain (PROMUSICAE). It peaked at number 4 in the U.K., number 3 on the Australian Albums chart (ARIA), and 39 on Billboard’s 200 charts.
