Rent (song)

"Rent" is a song by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys from their second studio album, Actually (1987). It was released as the album's third single on 12 October 1987.

Song information
The lyric is commonly thought to deal with a financially one-sided relationship, i.e. that of a kept man, the title implying more specifically the lot of a rent boy. Neil Tennant, however, stated in the Actually: Further Listening liner notes:

"I've always imagined it's about a kept woman, and I always imagined it set in America. I vaguely thought of one of the Kennedys, for some reason, and imagined that this politician keeps this woman in a smart flat in Manhattan, and he's still got this family, and the two of them have some [sort] of relationship and they do love each other but it's all kind of secret..."

It peaked at number 8 in the British charts. Producer Stephen Hague remixed the song for single release.

Video
The video for the song was directed by Derek Jarman. It features two intercut storylines. One, filmed in black and white, shows Chris Lowe arriving at King's Cross station by train and walking past various low-life characters. The other, filmed in colour, features Margi Clarke as the partner of a wealthy man (played by Alexander Thynn, 7th Marquess of Bath), who is hosting a dinner party. The lyrics are sung by Tennant, who plays her chauffeur. The woman becomes annoyed when the man pays her no attention. She then gets Tennant to drive her to King's Cross. There, she meets Lowe on the platform and they embrace.

Track listing

 * 7": Parlophone / R 6168 (UK)
 * 1) "Rent" – 3:35
 * 2) "I Want a Dog" – 4:57


 * 12": Parlophone / 12R 6168 (UK)
 * 1) "Rent" (Extended Mix) – 7:06
 * 2) "Rent" (Dub) – 6:06
 * 3) "I Want a Dog" – 4:57


 * also available on CD (Parlophone / CD R 6168)

Cover versions
Rent was covered by Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine and was included as a B-side for their single R.u.b.b.i.s.h, and was later included in their compilation album This is the Sound of an Electric Guitar. The song is also featured as a live version by Suede, as a B-side on their single "Filmstar" from 1997 (Nude Records - NUD 30CD2), with Vocals by Neil Tennant.

In popular culture
The song plays during a karaoke scene in the 2023 film Saltburn.