Cut Me Down Explained

Cut Me Down
Cover:	Lloyd Cole and the Commotions Cut Me Down 1986 single cover.jpg
Border:	yes
Type:	single
Artist:	Lloyd Cole and the Commotions
Album:	Easy Pieces
B-Side:	Are You Ready to Be Heartbroken?
Released:	^[1]
Studio:	Westside Studios (Shepherd's Bush, London)
Label:	Polydor
Producer:	Clive Langer Alan Winstanley
Prev Title:	Lost Weekend
Prev Year:	1985
Next Title:	Rich
Next Year:	1986

"Cut Me Down" is a song by the British rock and pop band Lloyd Cole and the Commotions, released in 1986 as the third single from their second studio album Easy Pieces. The song was written by Lloyd Cole and produced by Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley. It peaked at number 38 on the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 75 for four weeks.

Background

In a 2009 interview with Time Out, Cole said, "'Cut Me Down' was a lovely song, just three chords, which was ruined by the arrangement we gave it."^[2]

Critical reception

Upon its release, Karen Swayne of Number One felt "Cut Me Down" was a welcome choice as a single after its "too-jaunty" predecessor "Lost Weekend". She commented, "It's a return to what he does best – all moody angst and careworn vocals alongside a dreamy beat." She added, "It may be too low key to win him any new supporters, but the bedsit brigade will be kept entertained."^[3] James Belsey of the Bristol Evening Post picked it as the newspaper's "single of the week" and described it as "subtle, elegantly thoughtful music with an infectious lilt".^[4]

Track listing

7–inch single (UK, Europe and Australasia)^{[5] [6]}

1. "Cut Me Down" (Remix) – 4:18
2. "Are You Ready to Be Heartbroken?" (Live – September '85) – 2:50

7–inch limited edition double pack single (UK)^[7]

1. "Cut Me Down" (Remix) – 4:18
2. "Are You Ready to Be Heartbroken?" (Live – September '85) – 2:50
3. "Perfect Blue" (Instrumental) – 4:16
4. "Forest Fire" (Live – December '84) – 4:41

12-inch single (UK, Europe and Australasia)^{[8] [9]}

1. "Cut Me Down" (Extended Remix) – 6:05
2. "Cut Me Down" (7" Remix) – 4:18
3. "Are You Ready to Be Heartbroken?" (Live) – 2:50
4. "Forest Fire" (Live) – 4:41

12-inch single (Canada)^[10]

1. "Cut Me Down" (Extended Remix) – 6:05
2. "Lost Weekend" (Extended Mix) – 4:20
3. "Forest Fire" (Live) – 4:23
4. "Perfect Skin" (Live) – 3:00

Personnel

Lloyd Cole and the Commotions

• Lloyd Cole – vocals, guitar
• Neil Clark – guitar
• Blair Cowan – keyboards
• Lawrence Donegan – bass
• Stephen Irvine – drums

Production

• Clive Langer – producer ("Cut Me Down", "Perfect Blue"), remixer ("Cut Me Down", "Perfect Blue")
• Alan Winstanley – producer ("Cut Me Down", "Perfect Blue"), remixer ("Cut Me Down", "Perfect Blue")
• Pete Dauncey – producer of "Are You Ready to Be Heartbroken? (Live)"
• Paul Nixon – producer of "Are You Ready to Be Heartbroken? (Live)"
• The Commotions – producers of "Forest Fire" (Live) and "Perfect Skin" (Live)

Other

• Peter Anderson – sleeve
• Clare Cameron – sleeve

Notes and References

1. News: Massey . Paul . Get into the New Year Groove . . 4 January 1986 . 8 . . subscription . 11 March 2023.
2. Web site: Lloyd Cole at the Basement . . 5 November 2009 . 11 March 2023.
3. Swayne . Karen . Singles . . 11 January 1986 . 134 . 36.
4. News: Belsey . James . Single of the week . . 4 January 1986 . 9 . . subscription . 11 March 2023.
5. Cut Me Down (Remix) . . 1986 . UK 7-inch single sleeve . . COLE 6.
6. Cut Me Down (Remix) . . 1986 . European and Australasian 7-inch single sleeve . . 883 703-7.
7. Cut Me Down (Remix) . . 1986 . UK 7-inch limited edition double pack single sleeve . . COLEG 6.
8. Cut Me Down (Remix) . . 1986 . UK 12-inch single sleeve . . COLEX 6.
9. Cut Me Down (Remix) . . 1986 . European and Australasian 12-inch single sleeve . . 883 703-1.
10. Cut Me Down (Remix) . . 1986 . Canadian 12-inch single sleeve . . 92 04720.
11. European Hot 100 Singles . . 3 . 4 . 1 February 1986 . 21 . 29800226 . World Radio History . 11 March 2023.