About the song
“Downtown,” the eponymous album by Petula Clark, marks a significant moment in the artist’s career. Released in 1964, this was her first album under Warner Bros. Records, following the immense success of her hit single, “Downtown.” The album stands out not only for its association with the chart-topping single but also for its impeccable production.
The album features a collection of tracks that were carefully crafted by Tony Hatch, who took on the roles of producer, arranger, and conductor. Hatch’s influence is evident throughout the album, as he brought together a talented group of session musicians to bring Clark’s music to life. These musicians included notable figures such as drummer Bobby Graham, guitarist Big Jim Sullivan, and the vocal group known as the Breakaways. On the track “Downtown,” additional guitar work by Vic Flick and Jimmy Page, who would later gain fame with Led Zeppelin, adds a special touch to the sound.
Most of the tracks on the “Downtown” album were recorded before the title song, with many of them originating from Hatch’s earlier collaborations with Clark. These include the 1963 single “Let Me Tell You Baby,” which was a precursor to the distinctive sound Hatch would develop with Clark.
Upon its release, the “Downtown” album achieved notable success in the United States, where it entered the Billboard 200 chart on February 13, 1965. It enjoyed a lengthy run on the chart, peaking at #21 and remaining there for 36 weeks. Despite the fact that Clark’s subsequent albums continued to focus on the popular sound established by “Downtown,” this album remains her most successful US release. Unfortunately, it did not make a significant impact on the UK album charts, which at the time were limited to the Top Twenty.
Earlier in her career, Petula Clark had released a collection of standards called “This is Petula Clark!” in 1959 on the Imperial label, which was later reissued as “Uptown with Petula Clark” after she gained fame in the United States. This background helps to appreciate the evolution of her career and the significance of the “Downtown” album in her discography.
Video
Lyrics
When you’re alone, and life is making you lonely
You can always go
Downtown
When you’ve got worries, all the noise and the hurry
Seems to help, I know
Downtown
Just listen to the music of the traffic in the city
Linger on the sidewalk where the neon signs are pretty
How can you lose?
The lights are much brighter there
You can forget all your troubles, forget all your cares
So go downtown, things’ll be great when you’re
Downtown, no finer place for sure
Downtown everything’s waiting for you
Downtown, downtown
Don’t hang around and let your problems surround you
There are movie shows
Downtown
Maybe you know some little places to go to
Where they never close
Downtown
Just listen to the rhythm of a gentle bossa nova
You’ll be dancing with him too before the night is over
Happy again
The lights are much brighter there
You can forget all your troubles, forget all your cares
So go downtown, where all the lights are bright
Downtown, waiting for you tonight
Downtown, you’re gonna be alright now
Downtown, downtown
Downtown
Downtown
And you may find somebody kind to help and understand you
Someone who is just like you and needs a gentle hand to
Guide them along
So maybe I’ll see you there
We can forget all our troubles, forget all our cares
So go downtown, things’ll be great when you’re
Downtown, don’t wait a minute more
Downtown, everything’s waiting for you
Downtown, downtown, downtown, downtown
Downtown, downtown, downtown, downtown, downtown, downtown