British duo Pet Shop Boys released the song "Living In The Past" ("Living in the past") about Russian President Vladimir Putin. The video has been posted on the band's YouTube channel.
The clip uses footage of Putin's inauguration, the image of Joseph Stalin, as well as news stories about mass arrests during protests in Russia. The video contains the lines: “Like him, I will win. I won't be overshadowed. I want people to die with my name on their lips." Also, the lyrical hero ( Putin ) says that he wants to be feared, as everyone was afraid of him ( Stalin ), because those arrested and shot still “revered” him.
In May 2022, the Pet Shop Boys said they were looking forward to the day when fascism in Russia falls, criminal politicians are brought to justice. An anti-war statement was posted on social media, which also said:
“In 2009 we started the Pandemonium world tour in St. Petersburg. We have been to Russia many times and wrote songs with a Russian theme. Now it seems unthinkable that we can visit or perform there. But we look forward to the day when fascism in Russia falls, criminal politicians are brought to justice, the truth is told, neighboring countries are not threatened or invaded, and a new Russia is born.”
Attached to the musicians' post was a link to the video for "A Red Letter Day" from the 1996 album Bilingual.