What Have I Done to Deserve This? - Pet Shop Boys/Dusty Springfield (1987-88) 9/22/23

The year was 1986. Acclaimed British singer Dusty Springfield hadn't had a hit in 15 years, and her life had spun out of control due to drug abuse and self mutilation.

It truly appeared she would never be a factor in the music business again...but then the improbable happened:

Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe of the Pet Shop Boys, along with songwriter Alee Willis, came up with a song that required a female vocalist. Several contemporary artists were considered for "What Have I Done to Deserve This," but none seemed a good fit. Finally, their manager's assistant suggested Dusty.

Neil had always been a big fan, and thought she'd be perfect.

The Pet Shop Boys' record company (EMI) strenuously objected because of the aforementioned problems, but Neil persisted, and after a while, EMI relented.

But then, in a completely unforeseen development, Dusty turned them down! Why? Because she wasn't keen on the duet idea, and she had never heard of the Pet Shop Boys anyway.

So the song was shelved...until the Boys had a hit record and Great Song, "West End Girls," (which we will highlight in the future).

Dusty heard the song, thought it was fantastic, and asked if the offer was still open. Neil's answer was a resounding YES!"

On the day of recording, any doubts that Dusty would be physically and mentally "up for it" were completely dispelled when she showed up clean, sober, completely prepared, and looking like a million bucks.

"What Have I Done to Deserve This" was released as a single from the Pet Shop Boys' album "Actually," and, although it took more than a year, it slowly became a huge worldwide hit.

From 1987 through 1988, it charted in 18 countries, (with 15 in the Top 10). Here in the US, it topped Billboard's Dance Chart, while reaching #2 on the Hot 100 and #14 on the Adult Contemporary Chart.

The Pet Shop Boys had a hit...and Dusty Springfield was back--which led to a renewed interest in her previous body of work and some new releases that became hits in the UK.

"What Have I Done to Deserve This" by The Pet Shop Boys and Dusty Springfield: A Great Song of 1987-88! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn9E5i7l-Eg

Tomorrow: Bad English