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"I Don't Know What You Want but I Can't Give It Any More" is a song by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys from their seventh studio album, Nightlife (1999). Released on 19 July 1999 as the album's lead single, it peaked at number 15 on the UK Singles Chart, number two on the US Hot Dance Club Play chart, and number 66 on the US Hot Singles Sales chart.
"I Don't Know What You Want but I Can't Give It Any More" was written in May 1998 during a songwriting session for the album at Chris Difford's studio in East Sussex. It originated with Chris Lowe's idea to write a song about Action Man following the success of Aqua's hit single "Barbie Girl" (1997). An early version included the line, "If anyone can, the action man can".[1] Ultimately, the lyrics by Neil Tennant dealt with the end of the same relationship as the third single, "You Only Tell Me You Love Me When You're Drunk".[2] It was one of two songs on Nightlife produced by David Morales, along with the second single, "New York City Boy", and it was recorded at Quad Studios in New York.[3]
"I Don't Know What You Want but I Can't Give It Any More" was selected as the first single because Pet Shop Boys' record label Parlophone considered "New York City Boy" to be too camp for the lead spot.[4] It debuted at number 15 in the UK, selling 26,300 copies its first week.[5] Elsewhere in Europe, the single debuted at number one in Hungary and also reached the Top 10 in Spain and Finland.[6]
The song premiered on The Radio 1 Breakfast Show hosted by Zoe Ball.[7] It was C-listed on the third-tier playlists of BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 2 as well as MTV UK.[8] Alan Jones of Music Week described radio support of the single as "patchy" for its first three weeks,[9]
with a resurgence in airplay in early August on Radio 1 and Independent Local Radio after the single had dropped out of the Top 20 to number 38 on the sales chart.[10]
The single artwork featured a photo by Eric Watson of Tennant and Lowe walking four Weimaraner dogs. The image was split in half across the two CD covers: the duo appeared on CD1 (pictured) with two of the dogs, and the other two Weimaraner were on CD2. The dogs and the sloped street were intended to convey an impression of motion. The typeface was a blurred dot matrix style. The costumes were designed by Ian MacNeil, inspired by a type of trousers worn by samurai; the look was completed with wigs, dark glasses, and thick eyebrows.[16]
The accompanying music video was directed by Pedro Romhanyl. It features the duo undergoing treatment that transforms them into their Nightlife costumes, before being released into a world where everyone looks like them. The video was inspired by several films, including THX 1138 (1971), Ridicule (1996), 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), and A Clockwork Orange (1971). It was filmed in a London studio as well as on location at The Heathland School and Twickenham Stadium.[16]
Victoria Segal from NME described the song as "a peppery account of infidelity and betrayal, all muted peaks and sequenced depression ... If it sounds a little too glossy, like it should play out the next Tom Cruise blockbuster, it's still a sad and passionate thing".[17] Pop Rescue commented, "This is a really catchy track – musically and vocally, with sweeping strings, and co-production from legendary producer David Morales. The video is also an amusing piece, with Neil and Chris looking like cloned Rod Stewarts as Jedi, talking [sic] the dogs for a walk".[18]Music Week observed, "this Seventies disco-tinged first single from their sixth studio album remains classic PSB. The elegance of the arrangement showcases their intelligent approach to pop and will please the fans".[8]
"I Don't Know What You Want but I Can't Give It Any More" was played on the Nightlife Tour (1999–2000).[19] The song was performed again on the Dreamworld: The Greatest Hits Live tour (2022–24) and appears on the concert film recorded in 2023.[20]
^Pet Shop Boys (1999). I Don't Know What You Want but I Can't Give It Any More (UK CD1 liner notes). Parlophone. CDRS 6523, 7243 8 87492 0 6.
^Pet Shop Boys (1999). I Don't Know What You Want but I Can't Give It Any More (UK CD2 liner notes). Parlophone. CDR 6523, 7243 8 87480 2 5.
^Pet Shop Boys (1999). I Don't Know What You Want but I Can't Give It Any More (Canadian CD single liner notes). Parlophone, EMI Music Canada. 7243 8 87496 2 6.
^Pet Shop Boys (1999). I Don't Know What You Want but I Can't Give It Any More (UK 12-inch single sleeve). Parlophone. 12R 6523, 7243 8 87479 6 7.
^Pet Shop Boys (1999). I Don't Know What You Want but I Can't Give It Any More (UK cassette single sleeve). Parlophone. TCR 6523, 8 87479 4.
^Pet Shop Boys (1999). I Don't Know What You Want but I Can't Give It Any More (European CD single liner notes). Parlophone. 7243 8 87481 2 4.
^Pet Shop Boys (2000). I Don't Know What You Want but I Can't Give It Any More (US maxi-CD single liner notes). Sire Records. 35022-2.
^Pet Shop Boys (2000). I Don't Know What You Want but I Can't Give It Any More (US 2×12-inch single sleeve). Sire Records. 35021-0.
^Pet Shop Boys (1999). I Don't Know What You Want but I Can't Give It Any More (Australian CD single liner notes). Parlophone. 8875942.
^Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 216.
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