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Mark Elliott

Mark Elliott balances a passion for all things pop with a day-job managing the content and commercial fortunes of one of Britain’s largest specialist magazine publishers. His career has taken him from the boardroom of Time Out London (where he was Managing Director) to the publishing hotseat at brands such as Closer and Empire. All of this interesting career stuff pales in comparison besides his – frankly ridiculous – record-collecting habit (how many overseas variant covers of Like A Virgin does anyone really need?) and The Ministry Of Pop, his book on Stock Aitken Waterman, published in 2017.

Articles by Mark Elliott

Go West: How Pet Shop Boys Led The Way To A New Utopia

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Go West: How Pet Shop Boys Led The Way To A New Utopia

Pet Shop Boys’ iconic cover of Go West rescued the song from the pop footnotes. ‘I think it’s our greatest achievement,’ said Chris Lowe.

Pet Shop Boys: Behind One Of The Finest Pop Packages Of All Time

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Pet Shop Boys: Behind One Of The Finest Pop Packages Of All Time

With their maverick musicality and arresting visuals, Pet Shop Boys established themselves as a genius singles act – and much more besides.

True Blue: How Madonna Committed Herself To The “Queen Of Pop” Role

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True Blue: How Madonna Committed Herself To The “Queen Of Pop” Role

An exercise in unashamed hit-making, ‘True Blue’ saw Madonna pitch herself at superstar status, landing in a league of her own.

Spinning Around: How An About-Turn Reignited Kylie Minogue’s Career

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Spinning Around: How An About-Turn Reignited Kylie Minogue’s Career

Retooling Kylie Minogue’s pop sound for the new millennium, Spinning Around gained notice for more than just its music…

It’s A Sin: Behind Pet Shop Boys’ Synth-Pop Salvation

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It’s A Sin: Behind Pet Shop Boys’ Synth-Pop Salvation

The song most associated with Pet Shop Boys, It’s A Sin has become an anthem for a new age all over again.

Memorial Beach: a-ha’s Epitaph, Or A Critical Safety Valve?

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Memorial Beach: a-ha’s Epitaph, Or A Critical Safety Valve?

With the world at their feet, a-ha let musical and creative tensions lead the way for ‘Memorial Beach’, their most surprising album.

Love At First Sight: All Eyes On Kylie’s Dance-Pop Makeover

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Love At First Sight: All Eyes On Kylie’s Dance-Pop Makeover

Part of an unstoppable commercial reboot, Love At First Sight proved Kylie’s early 2000s renaissance was no fluke.

Best LGBTQ+ Pride Songs: 20 Anthems That Celebrate Inclusive Sexuality

List & Guides

Best LGBTQ+ Pride Songs: 20 Anthems That Celebrate Inclusive Sexuality

From disco classics to transcendent pieces of modern pop, the best LGBTQ+ Pride songs have championed the cause and effected change.

Madonna Album Covers: All 14 Studio Artworks, Ranked And Reviewed

List & Guides

Madonna Album Covers: All 14 Studio Artworks, Ranked And Reviewed

As chameleonic as any of her contemporaries, the best Madonna album covers stand as some of the most recognisable artworks in the world.

Fundamental: Behind Pet Shop Boys’ Boldest, Most Political Album

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Fundamental: Behind Pet Shop Boys’ Boldest, Most Political Album

Described by Neil Tennant as “the most extreme example of us going from one extreme to another”, ‘Fundamental’ was impossible to pigeonhole.