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
Behaviour: Further Listening 1990 – 1991
- Being Boring
- Only the Wind
- Miserablism
- This Must Be the Place I Waited Years to Leave (Extended) [3" Version]
- So Hard (Extended Dance Mix)
- Being Boring (Extended Mix)
- We All Feel Better in the Dark (Extended Mix)
- Where the Streets Have No Name (I Can’t Take My Eyes Off You) (Extended Mix)
- Jealousy (Extended Mix)
- DJ Culture (Extended Mix)
- Was It Worth It? [12" Version]
- The End of the World
- How Can You Expect to Be Taken Seriously?
- This Must Be the Place I Waited Years to Leave
- Bet She’s Not Your Girlfriend
- My October Symphony
- It Must Be Obvious
- So Hard
- DJ Culture
- Jealousy
- To Face the Truth
- Generic Jingle
- Nervously
- Music for Boys (Part 2) [Ambient Mix]
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