Dumb Waiters (song) explained

Dumb Waiters
Cover:The Psychedelic Furs - Dumb Waiters.jpeg
Type:single
Artist:The Psychedelic Furs
Album:Talk Talk Talk
Released:April 1981
Genre:Post-punk
Length:3:35
Label:Columbia
Producer:Steve Lillywhite
Prev Title:Mr. Jones
Prev Year:1980
Next Title:Pretty in Pink
Next Year:1981

"Dumb Waiters" is a song by English rock band the Psychedelic Furs, released as a single in April 1981 by Columbia Records. Written by the band and produced by Steve Lillywhite, it was included on the band's second studio album Talk Talk Talk (1981).

Release

To help promote Talk Talk Talk, the UK single for "Dumb Waiters" was packaged in an embossed plastic sleeve, playable at 33⅓ RPM on a turntable, which contained a track with excerpts from the songs "Into You Like a Train", "I Wanna Sleep with You" and "Pretty in Pink".[1] Lead vocalist Richard Butler opened the track by saying, "This is a Psychedelic Furs commercial. Buy Talk Talk Talk". "Dumb Waiters" was the first Psychedelic Furs single to chart in the UK, peaking at No. 59.[2] It also reached No. 27 on the U.S. National Disco Action Top 80 chart.[3]

Critical reception

AllMusic writer Dave Thompson said that the song "captures the band at its most frenzied, a state of mind which subsequent live versions only amplified".[4] AllMusic's Ned Raggett called the song "especially striking. . .with its queasy, slow-paced arrangement that allows both [Duncan] Kilburn's harmonica and [John] Ashton's guitar to go wild".[5]

Cover versions

New York City dance-punk band the Rapture recorded a cover version of the song, which was included on the B-side of their 1998 debut single, "The Chair That Squeaks".

Track listing

7" vinyl

  1. "Dumb Waiters" – 3:35
  2. "Dash" – 3:06

Chart performance

Chart (1981)Peak
position
UK Singles Chart59
US National Disco Action Top 8027

Notes and References

  1. 1997-08-09. Rosen. Craig. Re-discussion. Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. . 109. 32. 65 . 0006-2510.
  2. Web site: The Official Charts Company - The Psychedelic Furs . . 2010-01-31 .
  3. Web site: [{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p5193|pure_url=yes}} The Psychedelic Furs - Charts & Awards - ''Billboard'' Singles ]. AllMusic (Rovi Corporation). 2010-01-31.
  4. Web site: Thompson. Dave. [{{AllMusic|class=song|id=t2844830|pure_url=yes}} 'Dumb Waiters' - Song Review ]. AllMusic (Rovi Corporation). 2010-01-31.
  5. Web site: Raggett. Ned. [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r15886|pure_url=yes}} ''Talk Talk Talk'' - Overview ]. AllMusic (Rovi Corporation). 2010-01-31.