Imagine London, 1988. The air thrums with synth-pop, and a certain mystique surrounds Patsy Kensit, the striking lead singer of Eighth Wonder. While the band had been around since 1983, dabbling in a “white funk” sound, it was a particular 1988 single that truly catapulted them into the European consciousness: “I’m Not Scared”. But this wasn’t just another pop song; it was a fascinating tapestry woven from personal narratives, strategic artistic choices, and the undeniable touch of pop masterminds.
At the heart of “I’m Not Scared” lies a surprising secret: Patsy Kensit was the only member of Eighth Wonder to actually record on the track. This wasn’t a band effort in the traditional sense, but rather a testament to the evolving landscape of 1980s pop, where charismatic front-persons often became the brand, backed by sophisticated studio wizardry. And what wizardry it was, courtesy of none other than Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe – the Pet Shop Boys.
This marked a significant moment for the Pet Shop Boys too, as “I’m Not Scared” was their very first “outside” production for another artist. The song’s genesis is even more intriguing: it sprang from an instrumental demo they’d crafted back in 1985, playfully titled “A Roma”. Far from a bespoke creation for Kensit, this was a strategic repurposing, a testament to the Pet Shop Boys’ shrewd efficiency and confidence in their existing musical ideas.
“Tonight the streets are full of actors / I don’t know why / Oh, take these dogs away from me / Before they, they bite”
But their ambition for “I’m Not Scared” went beyond efficiency. Tennant and Lowe were captivated by Princess Stephanie of Monaco’s “Irresistible,” and they envisioned Kensit as a prominent “European pop star”. Their audacious goal? To make the song sound “as though it was translated from French”. This wasn’t just a stylistic flourish; it was a calculated move to tap into the burgeoning Euro-pop market. The inclusion of deliberate French phrases in the English version and a complete French B-side, “J’ai Pas Peur,” cemented this pan-European aspiration, even paving the way for other French Europop hits that year.
Beyond the pop sheen, the song held a deeper, more personal resonance for Patsy Kensit. Neil Tennant openly stated his motivation: he felt Kensit was often misportrayed as a “little girl and a controlled type” or a “sexy bimbo”. His intention was to reframe her as a “strong woman,” a “very strong-willed person, slightly ruthless even”. The lyrics themselves were crafted with this in mind, revolving around a woman confronting a “horrible gangster boyfriend who’s pushing her around but she’s going to stand up to him because she’s not scared”. This narrative wasn’t pulled from thin air; it was significantly influenced by Kensit’s own life, particularly her father’s connections to notorious 1960s London gangsters, the Kray twins. The “dogs” referenced in the lyrics, Tennant revealed, symbolized the “hooligans and criminal elements” surrounding the protagonist. This subtle weaving of Kensit’s personal history transformed the song from generic pop into a powerful, almost biographical statement of defiance and resilience.
“I’m Not Scared” undeniably struck a chord across Europe, soaring to Number 1 in Italy and achieving top 10 status in Switzerland, Spain, Finland, West Germany, and France. In the UK, it peaked at Number 7 and lingered on the charts for 13 weeks. Even in Sweden, the song found its audience, spending three weeks on the influential “Trackslistan” chart in 1988, peaking at number 10, and landing at number 91 on the year-end list. The band’s debut album, Fearless, also charted in Sweden, demonstrating a broader appeal beyond just the hit single.
Perhaps one of the most unexpected twists in the song’s journey came a year later, when it was featured on the soundtrack for the major Hollywood action film Lethal Weapon 2. This placement was a stroke of genius, especially since Patsy Kensit herself had a prominent role in the film as Rika van den Haas. This dual presence created a powerful cross-promotional effect, amplifying the song’s reach to a global audience and showcasing the blurred lines between music, film, and celebrity in the 1980s.
“I’m Not Scared” is more than just an 80s pop anthem. It’s a testament to the collaborative magic of the era, the strategic brilliance of its creators, and the surprising depth that can be found within seemingly simple pop songs. It’s a song that continues to resonate, proving that true quality in pop transcends initial biases and reveals its enduring artistic merit over time.
My copy: 7″, 45 RPM, Europe, 1988, CBS
Trackslistan (Swedish radio chart): 3 weeks, peaked at #10, #91 on year-end list 1988
