Downtown
B-52's Lyrics
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You can always go
Downtown
When you've got worries, all the noise and hurry
Seems to help, I know
Downtown
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, and go
Downtown, things will be great when you're
Downtown, you'll find a 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 'em too before the night is over,
Happy again
The lights are much brighter there,
You can forget all your troubles; forget all your cares, and go
Downtown, where all the lights are bright
Downtown, waiting for you tonight
Downtown, you're gonna be all right now
Downtown, 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, and go
Downtown, things will 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
The B-52's song "Downtown" is a hymn to urban life as an elixir for loneliness and anxiety in the world of one-night-stands and club-culture. This song is what we call an invitation to the listeners to leave their worries behind and immerse themselves in the energy of the city, where the rhythm of the music and the flicker of the neon lights can make everything seem brighter and more vivid. As the song proclaims, "when you're alone and life is making you lonely, you can always go downtown." This message is meant to encourage listeners to venture out into the city and its nightlife in search of enjoyment and relief from the everyday stresses of life.
The song's bright, upbeat instrumentals in combination with the vivid lyrics, make it a quintessentially American standard. Using rhythmic bouncing, the vocalists paint pictures of excitement and potential for the listener in this world of harshness, with recommendations to check out the neon signs and dancing, so as to find a place to fit. The Bossa Nova rhythm employed in the bridge of the song creates a sense of community and togetherness, inviting the audience to let go of their inhibitions and join in the festivities. All these expressions of a vision to replace puritanical isolation with social engagement through nightlife creates identifications with the American psyche.
Line by Line Meaning
When you're alone, and life is making you lonely
When you're feeling isolated and overwhelmed
You can always go
You can seek solace
Downtown
In the city center
When you've got worries, all the noise and hurry
When you're stressed and hurried
Seems to help, I know
Going to Downtown helps alleviate anxiety
Just listen to the music of the traffic in the city,
Pay attention to city sounds
Linger on the sidewalk where the neon signs are pretty
Stay on the streets to admire the city lights
How can you lose? The lights are much brighter there...
It's hard to feel down in the vibrant city center
You can forget all your troubles; forget all your cares, and go
Going Downtown allows you to escape your worries
Downtown, things will be great when you're
Downtown is a fun place to be
Downtown, you'll find a place for sure
You'll find a spot Downtown for your mood
Downtown, everything's waiting for you
The city center has something for everyone
Downtown, downtown
Don't hang around, and let your problems surround you,
Don't let worries control you
There are movie shows
Catch a film Downtown
Maybe you know some little places to go to
There are hidden gems in the city center
Where they never close
Where businesses stay open late
Just listen to the rhythm of a gentle Bossa Nova
Listen to the calming music style
You'll be dancing with 'em too before the night is over,
You'll have fun dancing the night away
Happy again
You'll feel joy again
The lights are much brighter there,
The vibrant lights of Downtown boost your spirits
Downtown, where all the lights are bright
Downtown lights up the night sky
Downtown, waiting for you tonight
The city center is anticipating your arrival tonight
Downtown, you're gonna be all right now
Downtown will make you feel better
Downtown!
And you may find somebody kind to help and understand you;
You may meet someone who empathizes with you
Someone who is just like you and needs a gentle hand to
Someone who shares similar struggles
Guide them along
A new friend to support you
So maybe I'll see you there,
Perhaps we'll cross paths in Downtown
We can forget all our troubles; forget all our cares, and go
We can escape our problems by spending time in the city center
Downtown, things will be great when you're
Downtown will improve your mood
Downtown, don't wait a minute more
Don't put off visiting Downtown
Downtown, everything's waiting for you
The city center has something for everyone
Downtown, downtown
Downtown, downtown
Downtown, downtown
Downtown, downtown
Downtown, downtown
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: TONY HATCH, JAMES CAUTY, BILL DRUMMOND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
John Wing Wo
Great track, evidently underappreciated. They were doing some really original things and this was no exception.
Lucius
@Joseph Stassup yes, it is a cover from Petula Clark 1964 hit song.
Daniel Aloi
even if it is just a throwaway, I don't care -- it's groovy! so much energy.
Disapproving Shinji
@Joseph Stassup and even so they managed to make it sound brand new. Everything they touch turns to gold
Joseph Stassup
@Chris Pope I'm not denying that they were great and revolutionary, but this song isn't particularly evident of it. Rock Lobster is their number 1 hit because it was ground breaking. This is just a single on an album to fill in time.
Chris Pope
@Joseph Stassup True, but they did it in a way nobody else could have dreamed of back then in 1978. Petula Clark's version is the one I grew up with as a kid, and I loved what the B-52s did to it just as much.
Jason Smith
This entire album is amazing!
Kerry Kotlarchuk
Truly magic around 2:20 when Ricky brings his quirky guitar to the party !
Tony Negron
😉 What a great kooky version. The B-52's 🎸 My favorite party band.
João Carlos Batista de Paula
Hoje vou ouvir esse som na brisa do doceeeeeee hahaha