Winner (Pet Shop Boys song)

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".{{Cite AV media notes |title=Elysium: Further Listening 2011-2012|title-link=Elysium (Pet Shop Boys album)|last=Heath|first=Chris|author-link=Chris Heath|others=Pet Shop Boys|year=2017|page=1 |type=booklet|publisher=Parlophone Records|id=0190295852788}} They had decided to write a mid-tempo anthem after hearing Take That perform "Greatest Day".{{Cite web |url=https://www.undertheradarmag.com/interviews/pet_shop_boys1/ |title=Pet Shop Boys: Always Fascinating |last=Lucas |first=Dan |date=19 April 2013 |website=Under the Radar |access-date=18 November 2024}} 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.{{sfn|Heath|2017|p=9}}

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."{{cite web |url=http://www.mixmag.net/words/features/above-beyond-in-conversation-with-the-pet-shop-boys |title=Above & Beyond in Conversation with the Pet Shop Boys |work=Mixmag |date=2 August 2012 |access-date=2 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120807113748/http://www.mixmag.net/words/features/above-beyond-in-conversation-with-the-pet-shop-boys |archive-date=7 August 2012}} Tennant likened this feeling to the life-changing experience of "West End Girls" becoming a number one hit.{{sfn|Heath|2017|p=9}}

During the 2012 Olympic Games, Pet Shop Boys performed "Winner" before the start of the tennis tournaments on 28 July at Wimbledon.{{cite web |url=https://www.petshopboys.co.uk/pet-texts/2012-07-28/wimbledon|title=Wimbledon|website=petshopboys.co.uk |date=28 July 2012|access-date=23 November 2024}} The single was played between tennis matches during the Olympics broadcast.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-19336296|title=Pet Shop Boys: 'We don't think about the old stuff'|last=Savage|first=Mark|date=5 September 2012|website=BBC News|publisher=BBC|access-date=28 November 2024}}

Pet Shop Boys reprised their performance of "Winner" at the Athletes' Parade, celebrating the British team, on 10 September.{{cite web |url=https://www.petshopboys.co.uk/history/2012 |title=Pet Shop Boys History: 2012|website=petshopboys.co.uk|access-date=28 November 2024}}

"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."{{cite web |url=https://www.petshopboys.co.uk/pet-texts/2012-08-01/nme-review |title=NME review |website=petshopboys.co.uk |date=1 August 2012|access-date=16 November 2024}} 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".{{cite web |url=https://www.petshopboys.co.uk/pet-texts/2012-07-26/winner-review |title=Winner review |website=petshopboys.co.uk |date=26 July 2012|access-date=16 November 2024}} 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.popjustice.com/briefing/well-the-third-pet-shop-boys-b-sides-album-is-off-to-a-good-start/97551/ |title=Updated: Well the third Pet Shop Boys b-sides album is off to a good start |website=Popjustice |date=5 August 2012 |access-date=5 August 2012}} Metro stated that the single reminds us the pop icons "... do gently persuasive feelgood with panache".{{cite web |url=https://www.petshopboys.co.uk/pet-texts/2012-08-06/another-winner-review-2 |title=Another Winner review (Metro) |website=petshopboys.co.uk |date=6 August 2012|access-date=16 November 2024}} 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".{{cite web |url=https://www.petshopboys.co.uk/pet-texts/2012-08-06/another-winner-review |title=Another Winner review (Daily Star) |website=petshopboys.co.uk |date=6 August 2012|access-date=16 November 2024}}

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.{{Cite web |url=https://www.promonews.tv/videos/2012/08/03/pet-shop-boys-winner-surrender-monkeys/14286 |title=Pet Shop Boys 'Winner' by Surrender Monkeys |last=Brown |first=Jimmy |date=3 August 2012 |website=Promo News |access-date=16 November 2024 |quote=}} 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.{{Cite web |url=https://www.londonrollerderby.com/ |title=We Are London Roller Derby |website=London Roller Derby |access-date=16 November 2024}} 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".{{cite web |url=http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/pet-shop-boys-new-video-features-trans-rollergirl240712 |title=Pet Shop Boys new video features trans rollergirl |website=Gay Star News |access-date=24 July 2012 |archive-date=27 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120727032001/http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/pet-shop-boys-new-video-features-trans-rollergirl240712 |url-status=dead }}

There was positive reception to the video. Music-News.com commented that the video is touching.{{cite web |url=http://www.music-news.com/shownews.asp?H=Pet-Shop-Boys-Winner-video-released&nItemID=54621 |title=Pet Shop Boys 'Winner' video released |website=Music-News |access-date=25 July 2012}} 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".{{cite web |url=http://stereogum.com/1100151/pet-shop-boys-winner-video/video/ |title=Pet Shop Boys – "Winner" Video |website=Stereogum |date=23 July 2012 |access-date=23 July 2012}}

The Pet Shop Boys received a letter which thanked them for positively showing the transgender community.{{cite web |url=https://www.petshopboys.co.uk/pet-texts/2012-07-24/new-video-2 |title=The new video |website=petshopboys.co.uk |date=24 July 2012|access-date=16 November 2024}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Digital download

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title1 = Winner

| writer1 = {{hlist|Neil Tennant|Chris Lowe}}

| extra1 = {{hlist|Andrew Dawson|Pet Shop Boys}}

| length1 = 3:48

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Digital EP / CD single{{cite web |url=https://www.petshopboys.co.uk/news/2012-07-18/winner-single?archive |title=Winner single |website=petshopboys.co.uk |date=18 July 2012|access-date=16 November 2024}}

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title1 = Winner

| writer1 = {{hlist|Tennant|Lowe}}

| extra1 = {{hlist|Dawson|Pet Shop Boys}}

| length1 = 3:47

| title2 = A Certain "Je ne sais quoi"

| writer2 = {{hlist|Tennant|Lowe}}

| extra2 = Pet Shop Boys

| length2 = 4:58

| title3 = The Way Through the Woods

| note3 = Long version

| writer3 = {{hlist|Rudyard Kipling (lyrics)|Tennant, Lowe (music)}}

| extra3 = {{hlist|Dawson|Pet Shop Boys}}

| length3 = 5:42

| title4 = I Started a Joke

| writer4 = {{hlist|Barry Gibb|Maurice Gibb|Robin Gibb}}

| extra4 = Pet Shop Boys

| length4 = 3:17

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Digital download – "Winner" remixed{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Winner-remixed/dp/B008S2QFZQ/ref=sr_shvl_album_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1344267577&sr=301-3 |title=Winner remixed: Pet Shop Boys: Amazon.co.uk: MP3 Downloads |publisher=Amazon |location=United Kingdom |access-date=6 August 2012}}

| extra_column = Remixer

| title1 = Winner

| note1 = Andrew Dawson HappyHour Remix

| writer1 = {{hlist|Tennant|Lowe}}

| extra1 = Dawson

| length1 = 4:40

| title2 = Winner

| note2 = John Dahlbäck Remix

| writer2 = {{hlist|Tennant|Lowe}}

| extra2 = John Dahlbäck

| length2 = 5:36

| title3 = Winner

| note3 = Niki & The Dove Remix

| writer3 = {{hlist|Tennant|Lowe}}

| extra3 = Niki & The Dove

| length3 = 6:06

| title4 = Winner

| note4 = Andrew Dawson Extended HappySad Remix

| writer4 = {{hlist|Tennant|Lowe}}

| extra4 = Dawson

| length4 = 8:06

}}

Credits adapted from the liner notes for Elysium: Further Listening 2011–2012{{Cite AV media notes |title=Elysium: Further Listening 2011–2012|author=Pet Shop Boys|date=2017|type=liner notes|publisher=Parlophone|id=0190295852788}} and "Winner".{{Cite AV media notes |title=Winner|author=Pet Shop Boys|date=2012|type=liner notes|publisher=Parlophone|id=CDR 6869}}

Pet Shop Boys

• Neil Tennant
• Chris Lowe

Additional musicians

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

Orchestra

{{div col}}

• 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

{{div col end}}

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

[https://www.petshopboys.co.uk/lyrics/winner Lyrics: Winner]

{{reflist}}

{{Pet Shop Boys singles}}

Category:2012 singles

Category:Pet Shop Boys songs

Category:Songs written by Neil Tennant

Category:Songs written by Chris Lowe

Category:Synth-pop ballads

Category:2012 songs

Category:Parlophone singles

Category:LGBTQ-related songs