Pet Shop Boys – Paninaro
A swaggering subcultural snapshot wrapped in synths and attitude
Originally released in July 1986 as the B-side to “Suburbia”, “Paninaro” quickly became more than just a flip-side curiosity. Inspired by the Paninari — a flashy, fashion-obsessed youth subculture in 1980s Milan — the track is part satire, part tribute, and all style. With Chris Lowe taking rare lead vocals, it’s one of the Pet Shop Boys’ most distinctive and enduring tracks.
Style Over Sentiment
The original version is all pounding synths, industrial drum machines, and deadpan delivery. Chris Lowe rattles off clipped phrases like “Passion and love / Sex and money / Violence, religion / Injustice and death” — a kind of minimalist manifesto. There’s no verse-chorus structure, just slogans and swagger. It’s icy, ironic, and totally immersive.
The song also samples Lowe’s now-iconic quote from a 1986 interview: “I don’t like country and western. I don’t like rock music. I don’t like rockabilly or rock ’n’ roll particularly…” Delivered with flat affect, it became one of the most quoted moments in the band’s catalog — a perfect blend of humor, detachment, and performance art.
From Milan to the Dancefloor
The Pet Shop Boys were first introduced to the Paninari scene while shopping in Milan. After being mistaken for members of the subculture thanks to their designer jackets, they became fascinated by the movement’s obsession with fashion, fast food, and pop music — and decided to write a song about it.
The original version appeared on the 1986 remix album Disco, and later on Please: Further Listening 1984–1986. It was never released as an A-side single in the UK at the time, but it became a cult favorite and a staple of their live shows.
The 1995 Remix: Paninaro ’95
In July 1995, the duo re-recorded the track as “Paninaro ’95” to promote their B-sides compilation Alternative. This version featured new vocals by Neil Tennant, a rap section by Lowe, and a more reflective tone — especially in lines like “You said I was tough / Infatuation had me, I was lost.”
“Paninaro ’95” reached No. 15 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 29 on the UK Dance Chart, proving the song’s lasting appeal. The video, directed by Howard Greenhalgh, leaned into the band’s visual flair with stylized lighting, dancers, and fashion-forward imagery.
Why It Still Resonates
“Paninaro” is more than a song — it’s a cultural snapshot, a fashion statement, and a sly commentary on image and identity. It’s been remixed, reimagined, and performed countless times, but its core message still hits: style is power, and irony is armor.