Miserablism

Information Page

First released in 1990, this song was a b-side of the Pet Shop Boys song "Was It Worth It?", the second single from their first compilation album, Discography. "Miserablism" is about young people who adopt a perpetually pessimistic worldview, a worldview the song refers to as miserablism. Although the song is written from the point of view of being Morrissey, it applies to any young pop star who has adopted miserablism as a personal philosophy (Tenant, 2001). The song sharply crititcizes this behavior, describing it as pretentiously conformist and defeatist. The main problem of miserablism is that these pop stars are taken seriously only because they look really miserable, while others who don't look miserable are often not taken seriously at all.

It seems to me there's something serious beginning
A new approach found to the meaning of life
Deny that happiness is open as an option
And disappointment disappears overnight
Say that love is an impossible dream
Face the facts - that's what it's always been
Relax - what you see is what you see
And what you get is a new philosophy

That's what you got
That's what you get

Miserablism
Is is and isn't isn't
Miserablism
Is is and isn't isn't

Meanwhile your life is still directed as a drama
With realism on the sparsest of sets
Every performance tends to reach the same conclusion
No happy endings just a message to depress
Saying life is an impossible schie
That's the point of this philosophy

Miserablism
Is is and isn't isn't
Miserablism
Is is and isn't isn't

But if 'is' wasn't
And 'isn't' were
You can't be sure
But you might find ecstasy

Oh, no!

Just for the sake of it make sure you're always frowning
(Angst! Angst! Angst!)
It shows the world that you've got substance and depth
You know life is an impossible schie
And love an imperceptible dream

That's what you got
That's what you get

Miserablism
Is is and isn't isn't
Miserablism
Is is and isn't isn't
Miserable

Written by Tennant/Lowe

Works Cited

Some of this song analysis was attained from the Pet Shop Boys fansite Geowayne: Commentary, Interpretation, and Analysis of Every Song by Pet Shop Boys. Retrieved from http://www.geowayne.com/newDesign/alternative/miserablism.htm

Tenant, Neil. (2001). Discussion of Miserablism. Liner notes to reissue of the Pet Shop Boys album Behaviour.

---