In 1983, she travelled to Toronto to seek a musical career. In 1986, she founded a trio with bassist David Piltch and pianist Aaron Davis. Offered a record deal in 1989, the Holly Cole Trio released an EP, Christmas Blues, that year, which featured a version of The Pretenders' "2,000 Miles". This was followed by their first full album, Girl Talk, in 1990.
A succession of releases followed through the early 1990s. For example, 1991's Blame It On My Youth, covered songs by Tom Waits ("Purple Avenue", aka "Empty Pockets"), Lyle Lovett ("God Will"), includes show tunes such as "If I Were a Bell" (from Guys and Dolls) and "On the Street Where You Live" (from My Fair Lady), and even remakes "Trust In Me", from Disney's The Jungle Book, into a strikingly sultry and sinister song of seduction and death. Also recorded in this period was "Alison", a reinterpretation of Elvis Costello's original.
Following 1993's Don't Smoke in Bed, the trio released a CD entirely of songs by Tom Waits, called Temptation. With this 1995 release, the "Trio" was dropped from the group's name.
Cole next went into a two-album flirtation with pop music, perhaps keeping with the "diva" fad of the late 90s. These albums, Dark Dear Heart (1997) and Romantically Helpless (2000) veered further from jazz by introducing pop elements to Cole's sound.
In 2001, she returned to the Christmas jazz roots of her first CD with Baby It's Cold Outside, which included such should-be classics as "Christmas Time is Here" (from A Charlie Brown Christmas), "Santa Baby", and the title track. Swapping cold for hot, she moved to a Summer theme in 2003's Shade, this time reinterpreting Cole Porter ("Too Darn Hot"), Irving Berlin ("Heatwave"), and The Beach Boys' Brian Wilson ("God Only Knows").
Cole's latest album, Holly Cole (originally entitled This House Is Haunted) was released in Canada in March 2007. It was released in the US in January 2008 and was followed by a US tour.
Cole tours frequently, particularly around the holiday season, in Canada. She was also a part of the 1999 Lilith Fair tour.
Downtown
Holly Cole Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You can always go - downtown.
When you've got worries, all the noise and the hurry
Seems to help, I know. - down town.
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?
You can forget all your troubles,
Forget all your cares.
So go - down town
Things'll be great when you're - down town.
No finer place for sure - down town,
Ev'rything's waiting for you. - Down town.
Don't hang around and let your problems surround you,
There are movie shows - down town,
Maybe you know some little places to go to
Where they never close. - down town.
Just listen to the rythm 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.
So go - down town
Where all the lights are bright - Down town,
Waiting for you, tonight - Down town,
You're gonna be all right now. - Down town.
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 - down town
Things'll be great when you're - down town,
Don't wait a minute more - down town,
Ev'rything's waiting for you.
Down town, down town,
Down town, down town..
The song "Downtown" by Holly Cole is a call-to-action to anyone feeling lonely or surrounded by troubles. It suggests that the solution to these problems is to go to the city and immerse oneself in the noise and energy of the downtown area. The upbeat melody and rhythm, along with the lyrics of the song, aim to put the listener in a positive and uplifted mood. The song also talks about the bright lights and happy atmosphere of downtown, highlighting the idea that the city offers a place to forget all worries and cares.
One of the key aspects of the song is the contrast between the isolation of being alone and the connection that can be found in the downtown area. The song suggests that the city is a place where people can find others who are just like them and who can offer a helping hand. This message is reinforced in the final verse where Cole sings "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."
Overall, "Downtown" is a fun and catchy tune that encourages listeners to let loose and forget about their problems. It suggests that by going to the city and experiencing the excitement of downtown, one can find happiness and connection with others.
Line by Line Meaning
When you're alone and life is making you lonely,
When you are left by yourself and you are feeling sad due to the circumstances around you,
You can always go - downtown.
The downtown area is a place where you can go to free your mind of your worries and relax.
When you've got worries, all the noise and the hurry
If you are facing any problems in your life, and everything feels chaotic and fast-paced,
Seems to help, I know. - down town.
Holly Cole understands that going to downtown can help relieve those problems because of the lively atmosphere.
Just listen to the music of the traffic in the city,
If you need to clear your mind, just listen to the sounds of the cars honking and people chattering, as the noise echoes everywhere.
Linger on the sidewalk where the neon signs are pretty.
Stay on the street corner beside the neon signs that light up the city, keeping you in the moment and leaving you mesmerized.
How can you lose?
It's impossible to fail at feeling better when you are surrounded by the beauty and energy of downtown.
The lights are much brighter there,
The city lights shine brighter due to the countless buildings and businesses that adorn the streets
You can forget all your troubles,
Your stressors dissolve because the electrifying environment of downtown engulfs you
Forget all your cares.
You forget about the worry associated with your life.
So go - down town
Go to downtown, where there is always something to do.
Things'll be great when you're - down town.
You can say goodbye to your concerns because life seems better when you are downtown.
No finer place for sure - down town,
No other place can match the beauty and excitement of Downtown.
Ev'rything's waiting for you. - Down town.
All the places and experiences in downtown are waiting for you to explore and make memories
Don't hang around and let your problems surround you,
Don't stay still and let your problems consume you.
There are movie shows - down town,
The downtown area offers many forms of entertainment, including movies.
Maybe you know some little places to go to
There are several secret gems in and around downtown that can make your time spent there more exhilarating.
Where they never close. - down town.
There are places that never close their doors in downtown, making it open to exploration at any moment.
Just listen to the rhythm of a gentle Bossa Nova,
Embrace the melody and the beat of the soft Bossa Nova music,
You'll be dancing with 'em too before the night is over.
The music will make you feel comfortable, and eventually, you might even start dancing.
Happy again.
You'll start feeling comforted within yourself once again, as your problems fade away due to your experience in Downtown.
Where all the lights are bright - Down town,
All the buildings and structures in downtown are illuminated with bright lights that shine throughout the night.
Waiting for you, tonight - Down town,
The downtown area is there and waiting for you to immerse yourself in its lively atmosphere tonight.
You're gonna be all right now. - Down town.
Being a part of downtown can give you the confidence that you need, so that you feel like you can overcome any struggle.
And you may find somebody kind to help and understand you.
The people you meet in downtown might make you feel cared for, leading you to find someone to share your problems and help you cope.
Someone who is just like you and needs a gentle hand
You may find someone who is going through the same problems as you and needs tenderness.
To guide them along,
There are people who are willingly ready to guide and mentor you while you're making progress in life.
So, maybe I'll see you there,
Holly Cole herself may meet you one day while you're in downtown.
We can forget all our troubles,
Both of you can leave your troubles at the door and enjoy the atmosphere of downtown together.
Forget all our cares.
You can work together to forget about the worries and stresses of life.
Don't wait a minute more - down town,
Hesitation will cause you to miss out on what the downtown area has to offer.
Ev'rything's waiting for you.
The endless opportunities and experiences that lie in downtown are all there waiting for you to grab and experience.
Down town, down town,
Keep saying the word 'Downtown' because you enjoy the sound of the word itself, echoing loudly around you.
Down town, down town..
Downtown is the center of everything, so recount it over and over again because it brings a sense of belonging within.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TONY HATCH, JAMES CAUTY, BILL DRUMMOND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind