“Always on My Mind” is a hit song by the British synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys, released on November 30, 1987 with “Do I Have To?” on the B-side. Originally recorded as a country song by Brenda Lee in 1972 and made famous by Elvis Presley in 1972 and Willie Nelson in 1982, the Pet Shop Boys’ version transformed it into an energetic synth-pop anthem. Their interpretation became one of their most iconic songs, reaching No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S., solidifying their status as one of the leading electronic pop acts of the 1980s.
Pet Shop Boys, consisting of Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe, covered “Always on My Mind” after performing it on a British TV special in 1987 celebrating the 10th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s death. The duo’s electronic, dance-oriented rendition received an overwhelming positive response, prompting them to record a studio version, which was released as a non-album single that same year. Despite being a cover of a classic, Pet Shop Boys’ version gave the song new life with a completely different style, transforming it from a slow ballad into a high-energy, synth-driven dance track.
While the original versions were delivered as tender ballads, Pet Shop Boys’ upbeat rendition, though faster in tempo, retains the emotional depth of the lyrics, giving the song an interesting contrast between melancholy and energetic music. Pet Shop Boys’ version of “Always on My Mind” is a synth-pop and electronic dance track. Their signature use of synthesizers, drum machines, and electronic effects give the song a vibrant, danceable feel, which was a stark contrast to the ballad versions by Elvis Presley and Willie Nelson.
“Always on My Mind” became a massive commercial success for Pet Shop Boys. It reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart in December 1987, where it stayed for four weeks during the Christmas period. The song was also a hit internationally, reaching the top 10 in multiple countries, including No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. The success of the single helped cement Pet Shop Boys’ reputation as one of the top pop acts of the 1980s.
The music video for “Always on My Mind” features a surreal, cinematic style, in line with Pet Shop Boys’ distinctive visual aesthetic. Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe are seated in the front of a taxi cab, when an eccentric passenger gets in, played by British actor Joss Ackland
In 2014, the BBC named it the best cover version of all time in a public poll, further cementing its legacy as a beloved and influential rendition of the song.
“Always on My Mind” by Pet Shop Boys is a synth-pop classic that transformed a well-known ballad into an energetic dance track, while still preserving the emotional core of the lyrics. Its commercial success and critical acclaim helped solidify the duo’s place as pioneers of electronic pop music in the 1980s. The song remains one of their most popular tracks and continues to be celebrated as a masterful reinterpretation of a timeless love song.