How Can You Expect to Be Taken Seriously?

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First released in 1990, this song was the second single from the Pet Shop Boys album Behaviour. "How Can You Expect to Be Taken Seriously?" is about the hypocrisy of certain preachy, pretentious rock stars who are automatically taken seriously when speaking out about political or social issues they know very little about. All too often, these rock stars are taken seriously only because their music is popular and not because they have any real knowledge about the issues. The song's lyrics are clever and salient, delivering the song's message in a snide yet comical way. There has been much speculation about the identity of the rock stars who this song criticizes, but the band has never specifically stated who they are.

You live upon a stage and everyone's agreed
You're the brightest hope by far that anyone can see
So when you take the limelight you can guarantee
You're gaining fame and claiming credibility
Tell me baby are you gonna get high as a kite?
Tell me baby are you gonna let it happen every night?
How can you expect to be taken seriously?

You live within the law, and everyone assumes
You must find this a bore and try something new
You're an intellectual giant, an authority
To preach and teach the whole world about ecology
Tell me baby are you gonna make any other claim?
Tell me baby are you gonna take any of the blame?
How can you expect to be taken seriously?
How can you expect to be taken seriously?

You live within the headlines, so everyone can see
You're supporting every new cause and meeting royalty
You're another major artist on a higher plane
Do you think they'll put you in the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame?
Tell me baby how you generate longevity
Tell me baby how you really hate publicity
How can you expect to be taken seriously?
How can you expect to be taken seriously?
Seriously
Seriously

Do you have a message for your fans?

How can you expect to be taken seriously?
How can you expect to be taken seriously?

Written by Tennant/Lowe

Works Cited

A large part 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/behaviour/seriously.htm

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