The song, “Rent”, was originally recorded by The Pet Shop Boys in 1987

Chris Lowe and Neil Tennant – the Pet Shop Boys – wrote the song “Rent”, which was produced by Julian Mendelsohn, although the single edit was remixed by Stephen Hague, for their 1987 album, “Actually”. The track was released as the third single in October that year and went to No.8 in the UK and was a top 40 hit across most of Europe.

Chris and Neil’s mate, Liza Minnelli, recorded her version of the song for her 1989 album “Results”, which was produced by the Pet Shop Boys, although it not released as a single, adding a dramatic and over the top execution of the song.

In 2023, Swedish duo Sally Shapiro, comprising singer Sally and musician Johan Agebjörn, recorded the song even with cover art and photography for the single that compliments and almost copies the cover of the PSB single! The track is the first from the duo’s upcoming fifth album and has even caught the attention of Neil Tennant himself, and he seems to approve!

But which version is the best? PET SHOP BOYS original or SALLY SHAPIRO’s cover?

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