Pet Shop Boys – Always on My Mind (1987)

Always on My Mind is a song by Johnny Christopher, Mark James, and Wayne Carson, recorded first by B.J. Thomas in 1969, then by many others including Elvis Presley in 1972 and Willie Nelson in 1982.

In 1987 English duo the Pet Shop Boys performed a synthpop version on Love Me Tender, a television special on the ITV network in the UK, commemorating the tenth anniversary of Presley's death. Acclaimed in 2004 by the "Daily Telegraph" newspaper as "one of the greatest cover versions of all time".

In the video, Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe are seated in the front of a motor car, when an eccentric passenger gets in, played by notable British actor Joss Ackland.

Background dialogue

I smell youth ... vintage youth.

Where are you from ? Yes, where are you from?

I'm glad you asked me twice. You see I'm a bilingual.
I'm a bilingual illiterate. I can't read in two languages.

Do you want a drink?

No thank you, that's very nice. I'll get the waiter.

Oh, I love the radio. (as the song starts)

Maybe I didn't treat you
Quite as good as I should
Maybe I didn't love you
Quite as often as I could

Little things I should have said and done
I never took the time

You were always on my mind
You were always on my mind

Maybe I didn't hold you
All those lonely lonely times
And I guess I never told you
I'm so happy that you're mine

If I made you feel second best
I'm so sorry I was blind

You were always on my mind
You were always on my mind

Tell me
Tell me that your sweet love hasn't died
Give me
One more chance to keep you satisfied
Satisfied

Little things I should have said and done
I never took the time

You were always on my mind
You were always on my mind

(continuing dialogue as the song starts to end)

Where are you going?

I'm going there. But I like it here wherever it is.

Maybe I didn't treat you quite as good as I should
Maybe I didn't love you quite as often as I could
Maybe I didn't hold you, all those lonely, lonely times
And I guess I never told you, I'm so happy that you're mine

Stop the car. I'm getting out.
You are no longer here.

Stop!

Go !
Go ! Go !

You went away.
It should make me feel better.
But I don't know how I'm going to get through