About
Jealousy was written by Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe of the Pet Shop Boys and first released by the duo in 1991 on their album Behaviour. Robbie Williams later performed the song live with them for the BBC Concert Orchestra, and the duet appeared on the Pet Shop Boys’ orchestral collection Concrete.
Backed by a full orchestra conducted by Trevor Horn, Williams joined Tennant for a striking reinterpretation of the Pet Shop Boys’ earliest composition. His voice brought warmth and drama to the lyric’s undercurrent of insecurity, blending seamlessly with Tennant’s measured delivery. The performance revealed Williams’s command of phrasing and restraint, qualities less often showcased in his own pop repertoire.
“It’s always been one of my favourite Pet Shop Boys songs. To sing it live with them and an orchestra was an incredible experience.”Robbie Williams
Williams’s interpretation stayed close to the original arrangement, yet his tone added new intensity to the closing refrain, as the orchestra rose beneath him. The collaboration highlighted his admiration for the Pet Shop Boys and their influence on his later electronic work, linking the introspection of Intensive Care with the experimentation that shaped Rudebox.
Lyrics
The streets in search of anyone who'll take them home
I lie alone, the clock strikes three
And anyone who wanted to could contact me
At dead of night, 'til break of day
Endless thoughts and questions keep me awake
It's much too late
Where've you been?
Who've you seen?
You didn't phone when you said you would!
Do you lie?
Do you try
To keep in touch? You know you could
I've tried to see your point of view
But could not hear or see
For jealousy
I never knew time passed so slow
I wish I'd never met you, or that I could bear to let you go
At dead of night, 'til break of day
Endless thoughts and questions keep me awake
It's much too late
Where've you been?
Who've you seen?
You didn't phone when you said you would!
Do you lie?
Do you try
To keep in touch? You know you could
I've tried to see your point of view
But could not hear or see
For jealousy
Where've you been?
Who've you seen?
You didn't phone when you said you would!
Do you lie?
Do you try
To keep in touch? You know you could
I've tried to see your point of view
But could not hear or see
For jealousy
Where've you been?
Who've you seen?
You didn't phone when you said you would!
Do you lie?
Do you try
To keep in touch? You know you could
I've tried to see your point of view
But could not hear or see
For jealousy
Where've you been?
Who've you seen?
You didn't phone when you said you would!
Do you lie?
Do you try
To keep in touch? You know you could
I've tried to see your point of view
But could not hear or see
For jealousy
I never knew 'til I met you
Credits
-
Vocalist
Robbie Williams -
Songwriter
Neil Tennant, Chris Lowe -
Original Artist
Pet Shop Boys