THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

574-Placebo-Nancy Boy.

1997-Number 4 single.

Best Bit-At 1.47. One of the songs co-writers, Brian Molko has called the lyrics ‘Obscene,’ so we had better read on.

Placebo were formed in London, England, in 1994, by Brian Molko, (vocals, and guitar) who was born on December 10th, 1972, in Brussels, Belgium, and Stefan Olsdal, (bass) who was born in Gothenburg, Sweden, on March 31st, 1974. They had both attended the ‘American International School of Luxembourg,’ in Hollerich, Luxembourg City, although they did not interact at the time, as they were part of different social circles. It was quite by chance that years later in 1994, the pair met at the ‘South Kensington Tube Station,’ in London, and realised that musically they had a lot in common. The duo were soon joined by Robert Schultzbourg, (drums) who was an acquaintance of Olsdal, he would remain a group member until 1996, then Steve Hewitt took over the drumming duties until leaving in 2007. The groups final drummer to date is Steve Forrest, who was a member from 2008-2015. Since then Molko and Olsdal have remained active as a duo. When first forming they performed using the name ‘Ashtray Heart,’ but later chose ‘Placebo,’ due to it’s Latin meaning,’I shall please.’

The discography of Placebo, who have recorded in the genres of ‘Alternative Rock,’ ‘Glam Rock,’ and ‘Britpop,’ and have sold in excess of 14 million records worldwide, includes, eight studio Albums that have been released between 1996-2022, and 33 singles that have been released between 1995-2022, there are also six extended plays, (EP’s) nine official compilation Albums, and three live Albums available. In the UK, all of there studio Albums have reached the top 20, with ‘Never Let Me Go,’ (2022) peaking the highest at Number 3. On the UK top 40 singles chart, Placebo have had 15 top 40 hits to date, with ‘Nancy Boy,’ (1997) and ‘Pure Morning,’ (1998) both peaking the highest at Number 4.

‘Nancy Boy’ was the fourth of five singles released from Placebo’s debut studio Album of the same name from June 1996. The song was co-written by Brian Molko, Stefan Olsdal, and Robert Schultzberg, who were the three group members at that time, with the production being by Phil Vinall, who also mixed the track, this was the only song on the Album that Vinall had anything to do with. The single release of ‘Nancy Boy’ is a different version to the original one which appears on the Album, as it is a re-recording. Phil Vinall who was born in London, has worked in the recording studio since 1980, receiving credits as a mixer, engineer, and producer. He has worked with many household names including Mark Knopfler, and Radiohead, and was the co-producer of the 1998 ‘Black Box Recorder’ Album ‘England Made Me,’ (see also best songs 516.)

In English language ‘slang,’ the term ‘Nancy Boy’ refers to a gay, or effeminate man, and undoubtedly is used to cause offence. The lyrics to ‘Nancy Boy’ refer to a man who is very feminine in appearance, putting on makeup, and perfume in his room. Brian Molko who considers himself to be bi-sexual, got the idea for the song after reading a quote by Brett Anderson the lead singer of the British band ‘Suede,’ (see also best songs 695 and 244) who said, ‘I’m a bi-sexual man who’s never had a homosexual experience.’ This angered Molko, who has said, ‘I saw that as a very opportunistic statement, and it led me to want to write something about tourism of the sexual kind, which is where the chorus comes from: ‘It all breaks down at the first rehearsal.’ I had in mind a tourist who gets stuck in, and then realises they’re out of their depth.’ Brian Molko has also gone on to say, ‘I’m questioning people’s reasons for sleeping with someone of the same sex. In the same way that Heroin is very hip today, being bi-sexual seems to be very chic.’ Molko has said about ‘Nancy Boy,’ ‘It’s an exploration into somebody’s misogyny, yet heartfelt. It’s angry, nasty, and completely politically incorrect.’

‘Alcoholic kind of mood, lose my clothes, lose my lube. Cruising for a piece of fun, looking out for number one. Different partner every night, so narcotic outta sight. What a gas, what a beautiful ass.’