Released: December 9, 1991
Songwriter: Neil Tennant Chris Lowe
Producer: Pet Shop Boys Harold Faltermeyer
[Verse 1]
It seems to me there's something serious beginning
A new approach found to the meaning of life
Deny that happiness is open as an option
And disappointment disappears overnight
[Pre-Chorus]
Say that love is an impossible dream
Face the facts, that's what it's always been
Relax, what you see is what you see
And what you get is a new philosophy
(That's what you got, that's what you get)
(That's what you got, that's what you get)
[Chorus]
Miserablism
Is is and isn't isn't
Miserablism
Is is and isn't isn't
[Verse 2]
Meanwhile your life is still directed as a drama
With realism in the sparsest of sets
Every performance tends to reach the same conclusion
No happy endings but a message to depress
[Pre-Chorus]
Saying life is an impossible scheme
That's the point of this philosophy
[Chorus]
Miserablism
Is is and isn't isn't
Miserablism
Is is and isn't isn't
[Bridge]
But if 'is' wasn't, and 'isn't' were
You can't be sure, but you might find ecstasy
[Interlude]
"Oh, no!"
[Verse 3]
Just for the sake of it make sure you're always frowning
(Angst! Angst! Angst!)
It shows the world that you've got substance and depth
[Pre-Chorus]
You know life is an impossible scheme
And love an imperceptible dream
(That's what you got, that's what you get)
(That's what you got, that's what you get)
[Chorus]
Miserablism
Is is and isn't isn't
Miserablism
Is is and isn't isn't
[Chorus]
Miserablism
Is is and isn't isn't
Miserablism
Is is and isn't isn't
[Chorus]
Miserablism
Is is and isn't isn't
Miserablism
Is is and isn't isn't
[Outro]
Miserable
It seems to me there's something serious beginning
A new approach found to the meaning of life
Deny that happiness is open as an option
And disappointment disappears overnight
[Pre-Chorus]
Say that love is an impossible dream
Face the facts, that's what it's always been
Relax, what you see is what you see
And what you get is a new philosophy
(That's what you got, that's what you get)
(That's what you got, that's what you get)
[Chorus]
Miserablism
Is is and isn't isn't
Miserablism
Is is and isn't isn't
[Verse 2]
Meanwhile your life is still directed as a drama
With realism in the sparsest of sets
Every performance tends to reach the same conclusion
No happy endings but a message to depress
[Pre-Chorus]
Saying life is an impossible scheme
That's the point of this philosophy
[Chorus]
Miserablism
Is is and isn't isn't
Miserablism
Is is and isn't isn't
[Bridge]
But if 'is' wasn't, and 'isn't' were
You can't be sure, but you might find ecstasy
[Interlude]
"Oh, no!"
[Verse 3]
Just for the sake of it make sure you're always frowning
(Angst! Angst! Angst!)
It shows the world that you've got substance and depth
[Pre-Chorus]
You know life is an impossible scheme
And love an imperceptible dream
(That's what you got, that's what you get)
(That's what you got, that's what you get)
[Chorus]
Miserablism
Is is and isn't isn't
Miserablism
Is is and isn't isn't
[Chorus]
Miserablism
Is is and isn't isn't
Miserablism
Is is and isn't isn't
[Chorus]
Miserablism
Is is and isn't isn't
Miserablism
Is is and isn't isn't
[Outro]
Miserable
more tracks from the album
Alternative
- Decadence
- Was That What It Was?
- In the Night
- Some Speculation
- A New Life
- Your Funny Uncle
- One of the Crowd
- What Keeps Mankind Alive?
- Girls & Boys (Live in Rio)
- I Get Excited (You Get Excited Too)
- Miserablism
- Do I Have To?
- I Want a Dog (B-Side Version)
- The Sound of the Atom Splitting (Extended Mix) [7" Version]
- Losing My Mind
- Paninaro
- Jack the Lad
- We All Feel Better in the Dark
- If Love Were All (Bitter Sweet)
- Violence (Haçienda Version)
- Music for Boys
- Too Many People
- Hey, Headmaster
- That’s My Impression (Disco Mix)
- Don Juan
- Euroboy
- Bet She’s Not Your Girlfriend
- You Know Where You Went Wrong
- It Must Be Obvious
- Shameless
- A Man Could Get Arrested (Bobby Orlando Version)
From the albums
- Alternative (1995)
- Behaviour: Further Listening 1990 – 1991 (2001)
Pet Shop Boys popular songs
- West End Girls
- It’s a Sin
- Opportunities (Let’s Make Lots of Money)
- Go West
- Always On My Mind
- Being Boring
- Suburbia
- What Have I Done to Deserve This?
- Domino Dancing
- The Pop Kids
- Left to My Own Devices
- Rent
- New York City Boy
- Love etc.
- Love is a Bourgeois Construct
- Burning the heather
- Dreamland
- Closer to Heaven 3
- Footsteps
- Closer To Heaven / Left To My Own Devices
- Je T’aime Moi Non Plus
- Yesterday, When I Was Mad (Coconut 1 12" Mix) [Disco 2 Version]
- In His Imagination
- Sail Away