Violence

Information Page

First released in 1986, this song was included on the Pet Shop Boys album Please. "Violence" is about the cause of violence, pervasive aimlessness in the lives of violent people who are constantly in search of anything that would give their lives meaning. This song goes on to say that the primary perpetrators of violence are men who rationalize their bad behavior toward women as self-defense, concluding that violence will always be a vicious cycle until someone consciously decides to respond to it in a non-violent way. This is a somber song with a powerful meaning, one that both Neil and Chris take to heart.

The sons and brothers
Fighting for another cause
Anything to give their lives some meaning
Busy with their guns and dreaming
Far away from here
Said they would act in self-defence

And all the others
Running 'round so hot and bothered
Anything to give their lives some meaning
In the evening
Running around with guns and
Said they would act in self-defence
With violence

Violence
Violence
Violence breeds violence
Violence breeds

The son and brother
When he gets home
He gives someone some love
And mutters
Woman, you'll never understand
I did what I said in self-defence
With violence

Violence breeds violence
Violence breeds violence
Violence breeds violence

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/please/violence.htm

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