Down to London explained

Down to London
Cover:Joe Jackson Down to London 1989 single cover.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Joe Jackson
Album:Blaze of Glory
B-Side:You Can't Get What You Want ('Til You Know What You Want)
Released:2 October 1989[1]
Length:4:15
Label:A&M
Producer:Joe Jackson
Prev Title:Nineteen Forever
Prev Year:1989
Next Title:Blaze of Glory
Next Year:1989

"Down to London" is a song by British singer-songwriter and musician Joe Jackson, released in 1989 as the second single from his eighth studio album Blaze of Glory. The song was written and produced by Jackson.[2]

Background

"Down to London" is one of a number of autobiographical tracks from Blaze of Glory and was inspired by the early days of Jackson's music career in London.[3] [4] In an interview on VH1's New Visions in 1989, Jackson commented,

Promotion

The song's music video was directed by Julien Temple and produced by Amanda Temple for Limelight.[5] During July 1989, Jackson and his band performed the song on The Arsenio Hall Show and Jackson also performed a solo piano version on VH1 New Visions.[6]

Critical reception

Upon its release as a single, David Giles of Music Week described "Down to London" as "a fine tribute to a 'rusty old town'." He noted how the production "has kept everything nice and simple, even leaving in some very hesitant entries by co-vocalist Joy Askew". He also praised Jackson for having "retained his bite and inventiveness where most of his contemporaries have blanded out".[7] Andrew Hirst of the Huddersfield Daily Examiner wrote, "The harmonica interludes and spluttering brass almost save this song about the lure of London's bright lights from oblivion. Just don't try busking with it, Joe."[8] Marcus Hodge of the Cambridge Evening News stated, "There's no mistaking a Joe Jackson record. He is the only performer who can make the swing of 1962 sound relevant in 1989. Sometimes his records have too much going on. This is again very busy, but still catchy."[9]

In a review of Blaze of Glory, Robin Denselow of The Guardian picked "Down to London" as one of its "moments" and described it as "Sixties-style" which "echoes Buffalo Springfield's 'For What It's Worth'."[10] David Okamoto, writing for the St. Petersburg Times commented: "...only the snappy 'Down to London' - which borrows its piano line from Marvin Gaye's 'I Heard It Through the Grapevine' - manages to strike a nostalgic chord."[11] Kristin Faurest of The Courier-Journal felt "Down to London" was the album's "most irresistible number by far". He added, "[It] shuffles and scratches along to the tune of a wailing harmonica and the kind of melody that makes you thump your hand against the steering wheel in time."[12] People singled "Down to London" as the "best tune" which "boasts bouncy piano chords and lyrics about making it as a rock star".[13] In a retrospective review of the album, Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic praised "Down to London" as a "brisk, stylish pop song".[2] In 2009, Glide Magazine ranked it as Jackson's 4th best song.[14]

Track listing

7" and cassette single
  1. "Down to London" – 4:15
  2. "You Can't Get What You Want ('Til You Know What You Want)" (Live) – 5:32
CD single
  1. "Down to London" - 4:40
  2. "You Can't Get What You Want ('Til You Know What You Want)" (Live) – 5:49
  3. "Sunday Papers" (Live) – 5:12
CD single (US promo)
  1. "Down to London" (LP Version) – 4:15

Personnel

Down to London

Production

Other

Notes and References

  1. New Singles . . 30 September 1989 . 41 . 0265-1548.
  2. Web site: Blaze of Glory - Joe Jackson | Songs, Reviews, Credits . AllMusic . 16 August 2020.
  3. This Is It . Joe Jackson . 1997 . Richard . Smith . Amy . Scheibe . CD . A&M Records . 540 402-2 . Europe .
  4. News: Daly. Mike. 25 May 1989. Songs of new notes. The Age.
  5. 19 August 1989. Music Video: New videoclips. Billboard. 53.
  6. Web site: TV Appearances . The Joe Jackson Archive . 16 August 2020.
  7. A&R: Singles . Giles . David . . 25 . 21 October 1989 . World Radio History . 19 April 2022.
  8. News: Hirst . Andrew . 25 November 1989 . Reviews: Singles . . 15.
  9. News: Hodge . Marcus . 6 November 1989 . Pop: Singles . . 14.
  10. News: Denselow. Robin. 21 April 1989. Records: Down to earth in Mali. The Guardian. 28.
  11. News: Okamoto. David. 7 May 1989. Recordings: Jackson fades out in 'Blaze of Glory'. St. Petersburg Times. 2F.
  12. News: Faurest. Kristin. 1 July 1989. Tune In: Reviews. The Courier-Journal. 8.
  13. Web site: Picks and Pans Review: Blaze of Glory . People . 12 June 1989 . 16 August 2020.
  14. Web site: Handler . Shane . Volume 26: Joe Jackson . Glide Magazine . 15 June 2009 . 16 August 2020.
  15. Web site: Week commencing 31 July 1989 . Bubbling Down Under . 31 July 2020 . 24 December 2021.