"I didn't want to wear a checked shirt and grow a mustache - that's what you had to do, and everyone did"

This quote by Neil Tennant is a reflection on the conformity of the 1980s. It recommends that in order to harmonize the crowd, one needed to use an inspected shirt and grow a mustache. This was a popular design at the time, and it appears that everyone was doing it. Tennant implies that he didn't wish to comply with this trend, but felt pressure to do so in order to suit. This quote speaks to the idea that people typically feel the need to comply with societal norms in order to be accepted. It likewise recommends that Tennant was not a fan of the style, and wanted to reveal his individuality. This quote is a pointer that it is necessary to be real to oneself and not hesitate to stick out from the crowd.