Joke (I'm Laughing) Explained

Joke (I'm Laughing)
Cover:Eddi Reader Joke I'm Lauging 1994 single cover.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Eddi Reader
Album:Eddi Reader
B-Side:Saturday Night
Released:1 August 1994[1]
Length:3:52
Label:Blanco y Negro
Producer:Greg Penny
Prev Title:Patience of Angels
Prev Year:1994
Next Title:Dear John
Next Year:1994

"Joke (I'm Laughing)" is a song by Scottish singer-songwriter Eddi Reader, released on 1 August 1994 as the second single from her second studio album, Eddi Reader. It was written by Boo Hewerdine and produced by Greg Penny. "Joke (I'm Laughing)" reached No. 42 on the UK Singles Chart and remained in the Top 100 for three weeks.[2]

In 1996, Hewerdine released his own version of the song as a single from his album Baptist Hospital.[3] Speaking to Folk Radio in 2014, Hewerdine said of the song: ""Joke" was the first song I made up that I thought was good. I wrote it for my post-school band Placebo Thing."[4]

Critical reception

Upon its release as a single, Andrew Mueller of Melody Maker remarked, "There is something intangible about Ms Reader's new single that makes me think that I will hear it in a dark, dusty, deserted wine bar somewhere in the former Soviet Union in about three years time and get annoyed because I can't remember who sang it."[5] In a review of Eddi Reader, Ira Robbins of Trouser Press described the song as "sardonic" which "seethes with quiet disdain".[6] Jon Pareles of The New York Times observed that "love doesn't go smoothly in Ms. Reader's songs" and noted "Joke (I'm Laughing)" for its narrative of a "spurned woman".[7]

Track listing

7" and cassette single
  1. "Joke (I'm Laughing)" - 3:52
  2. "Saturday Night" - 4:58
CD single
  1. "Joke (I'm Laughing)" - 3:52
  2. "Saturday Night" - 4:58
  3. "Wonderboy" - 2:39
CD single (UK limited edition)
  1. "Joke (I'm Laughing)" - 3:52
  2. "Three Crosses" - 4:16
  3. "Go and Sit Upon the Grass" - 1:27

Personnel

Joke (I'm Laughing)

Production

Other

Notes and References

  1. Single Releases . . 30 July 1994 . 25 . 0265-1548.
  2. Web site: EDDI READER | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company . Officialcharts.com . 2020-04-12.
  3. Web site: James Chrispell . Baptist Hospital - Boo Hewerdine | Songs, Reviews, Credits . AllMusic . 1996-09-24 . 2020-04-12.
  4. Web site: Exclusive Preview: Boo Hewerdine - My Name in the Brackets . Folk Radio . 2020-04-12.
  5. Mueller . Andrew . 6 August 1994 . Singles . . 31.
  6. Web site: Eddi Reader with the Patron Saints of Imperfection . TrouserPress.com . 2020-04-12.
  7. Web site: Jon Pareles . In Performance; POP - The New York Times . Nytimes.com . 1994-10-03 . 2020-04-12.