Pet Shop Boys – “It’s Alright”
A hymn to hope
By the time “It’s Alright” hit shelves on 26 June 1989, the Pet Shop Boys were already known for pairing emotional detachment with dancefloor elegance. But this third single from Introspective (1988) took a different path — a sweeping, euphoric cover of an underground house track that transformed a club groove into an anthem of optimism, resilience, and belief in the enduring power of music.
From House Obscurity to Synth-Pop Epiphany
Originally recorded in 1987 by Chicago house duo Sterling Void and Paris Brightledge, “It’s Alright” was a raw, hopeful message wrapped in early acid house energy. Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe discovered the track on a DJ International Records compilation, immediately saw its potential, and expanded it into a full-on electronic symphony.
The album version runs nearly 10 minutes, gradually layering synthesizers, lush pads, and orchestral swells atop that steady, pulsing house beat. Produced by Trevor Horn, the Pet Shop Boys’ take keeps the optimism intact but reshapes it with their signature touch — polished, cerebral, and soaring.
Hope in the Midst of Turmoil
Lyrically, “It’s Alright” acknowledges real-world turmoil — “Dictation enforced in Afghanistan / Revolution in South Africa taking a stand” — yet counters it with an unwavering faith in art and unity: “I hope it’s gonna be alright / ’Cause the music plays forever.”
Where many pop songs avoid politics, this one leans in — but still lands gently. It’s hopeful without being naive, anchored in the belief that music outlasts nations, conflict, and fear. In live performances, Tennant often delivered the lines with almost reverent warmth, a subtle contrast to his usual cool detachment.
Single Version and Visuals
The single version, edited down and featuring an additional verse not present on the album, brought the song closer to radio formats without losing its message. It reached No. 5 on the UK Singles Chart, along with No. 2 in Ireland and Top 10 in several European countries, including West Germany and Finland.
The accompanying black-and-white video, directed by Eric Watson, featured babies crawling through a studio space — a symbolic nod to innocence and new beginnings. Reportedly inspired by Robert Mapplethorpe’s photography, the video wasn’t widely aired on MTV due to its low lighting and unconventional style.
Why It Still Matters
More than three decades later, “It’s Alright” still hits in all the right ways: a dance track with a deep moral center, a call to hope without preaching, a reminder that even in chaos, we can dance, reflect, and believe in something better.