Released: November 14, 1988

Songwriter: Chris Lowe Neil Tennant

Producer: Stephen Lipson Trevor Horn

[Verse 1]
I get out of bed at half past ten
Phone up a friend who's a party animal
Turn on the news and drink some tea
Maybe if you're with me we'll do some shopping

[Verse 2]
One day I'll read or learn to drive a car
If you pass the test you can beat the rest
But I don't like to compete or talk street, street, street
I can pick up the best from the party animal

[Chorus]
I could leave you, say goodbye
Or I could love you, if I try
And I could
And left to my own devices, I probably would
Left to my own devices, I probably would

[Verse 3]
Pick up a brochure about the sun
Learn to ignore what the photographer saw
I was always told that you should join a club
Stick with the gang if you want to belong

[Verse 4]
I was a lonely boy, no strength, no joy
In a world of my own at the back of the garden
I didn't want to compete or play out on the street
For in a secret life I was a roundhead general

[Chorus]
I could leave you, say goodbye
Or I could love you, if I try
And I could
And left to my own devices, I probably would
Left to my own devices, I probably would
Oh, I would

[Bridge]
I was faced with a choice at a difficult age
Would I write a book or should I take to the stage?
But in the back of my head I heard distant feet
Ché Guevara and Debussy to a disco beat

[Verse 5]
It's not a crime when you look the way you do
The way I like to picture you
When I get home it's late at night
I pour a drink and watch the fight

[Verse 6]
Turn off the TV, look at a book
Pick up the phone, fix some food
Maybe I'll sit up all night and day
Waiting for the minute I hear you say

[Interlude]

[Chorus]
I could leave you, say goodbye
Or I could love you, if I try
And I could
And left to my own devices, I probably would

[Chorus]
Come on, baby, say goodbye
Or I could love you, if I try
And I could
And left to my own devices, I probably would
Left to my own devices, I probably would
Come on, baby
Left to my own devices, I probably would

Pet Shop Boys

Pet Shop Boys are an English electronic pop duo comprised of Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe. Formed in London in 1981, they’ve released fourteen LPs–in addition to a myriad of theatrical, film, and ballet scores–and have charted forty-two UK Top 30 singles, four of them making it to number 1.

more tracks from the album

Ultimate