LISTEN: The lasting impact of Pet Shop Boys’ Duet with Dusty Springfield
queer artists join forces on a track. Pet Shop Boys’ “What Have I Done To Deserve This?” featuring Dusty Springfield is one of these iconic duets, and stands as a testament to intention and nurturing one’s community.
Released as the second single from Pet Shop Boys’ second studio album, “Actually,” in 1987, the song not only marked Pet Shop Boys’ first collaboration but also solidified itself as one of the greatest queer duets of all time.The song’s inception traces back to Christmas 1984, when Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe, otherwise known as Pet Shop Boys, crafted the tune with the help of American songwriter Allee Willis.
Originally intended for their debut album “Please,” challenges arose in finding the perfect vocalist for the song to become a duet.
The label wanted popular singers at the time to hop on the song, suggesting Tina Turner or Barbra Streisand, but when their manager’s assistant suggested Dusty Springfield, Neil Tennant was keen on having Springfield lend her vocals on the song, as her 1969 album “Dusty in Memphis” was one of his favorites.Despite resistance from their label, Tennant was insistent on Springfield, whose soulful yet breathy quality of her voice was precisely what they were seeking for the song.
