King’s Cross

“Kings Cross” is the tenth and final song on British synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys and their second studio album “Actually”, which was released in 1987 through Parlophone Records and EMI Records. The song was written by both members of the duo (Neil Tennant & Chris Lowe) and produced by Stephen Hague.

The song discusses unemployment, depression and the AIDS pandemic that was happening in the 1980’s. Using London’s King’s Cross station as the title of the song, the track discusses the political scene at the time. In the liner notes for the “Actually”, Tennant spoke about the track briefly, stating that “the first line sets up the song. It’s an angry song about Thatcherism.”

However, the song was released two months before the tragic King’s Cross fire, which some fans theorised was foreseen by the Pet Shop Boys. The King’s Cross Fire broke out at 7:30pm November 1987 on a wooden escalator in the station, sadly causing a flashover occurred which led to the ticket hall and 31 people being killed with 100 injured.

The official audio for “King’s Cross” is on the Pet Shop Boys YouTube channel, and has been viewed over 61 thousand times.

Release Date: 1987

Songwriter/s: Neil Tennant, Chris Lowe

Producer: Stephen Hague

Label/s: Parlophone Records / EMI

Chart Ranking: “King’s Cross” failed to reach the mainstream charts despite its success and important lyrics, but still remains a fan favourite to this day.

Find the lyrics to “King’s Cross” here.

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