Clark disliked Trent, who clearly had romantic designs on the married Hatch, so when the duo began co-writing material for her they initially credited the work to Hatch alone.[citation needed] With "I Couldn't Live Without Your Love" (1966) inspired by their affair, they went public with their relationship. A year later, they were married in Kensington, London.
Although she recorded numerous singles and albums, both as a solo artist and in tandem with her husband, Trent was clearly a better songwriter than singer.[citation needed] (Her cover versions of several of Clark's recordings indicate she had no distinct style or sound to set her apart from the crowd). In addition to their compositions for Clark, over the years she and Hatch wrote a wealth of material for other artists, including Frank Sinatra, Nancy Wilson, Des O'Connor, Shirley Bassey, Vikki Carr, and Dean Martin.
In the late 1960s, Trent returned to the stage with a UK tour of the musical Nell with Hermione Baddeley.
The 1970s saw Hatch and Trent diversify into the world of musical theatre. The first of their projects, The Card, based on Arnold Bennett's novel, with book by Keith Waterhouse and Willis Hall, ran in London's West End with Jim Dale and Millicent Martin in the starring roles. (Coincidentally, Clark had starred in the 1952 film version with Alec Guinness). An original cast album was released in 1975. A rewritten version of the show, starring Peter Duncan and Hayley Mills, played the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre in the 1990s and spawned a new cast album. The second Hatch/Trent musical was Rock Nativity, with book and lyrics by David Wood. Initiated and produced by Cameron Mackintosh, it first played in Newcastle upon Tyne. An updated version of the show toured nationally in 1976, and was broadcast nationally by Scottish TV. A full-length concert version was also recorded at the Cork Opera House for transmission by RTE.
In 1978, the couple left the UK for a four-year residency in Dublin, where they hosted their own TV series Words And Music and It's A Musical World, before moving to Australia in 1982. It was while down under that the couple wrote what might be their most famous composition, the theme tune for the TV soap, Neighbours.
Trent and Hatch separated in 1995, and divorced in 2002.
Following the couple's initial separation, Trent made a hugely successful return to the British stage, touring the country in the musical High Society. After spending several years in semi-retirement, she toured Australia with a series of concerts in April and May 2004.
On 24 November 2005, Trent married Colin Gregory.(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
Downtown
Jackie Trent 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 - 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?
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
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 all right now
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 for
Downtown; everything's waiting for you
Downtown, downtown, downtown, downtown
The song "Downtown" by Jackie Trent and Tony Hatch is a classic representation of the optimism and excitement that the city can instill in people. The lyrics describe a person who is feeling lonely and troubled but finds comfort and solace in the energy and vibrancy of the city. The singer encourages the listener to go downtown, where the noise and hurry of life can help to forget all of their troubles. The song also speaks to the idea that going downtown can be a social and communal experience where a person can find someone to help and guide them along.
The lyrics employ vivid imagery to paint a picture of the city. The singer urges the listener to "linger on the sidewalk where the neon signs are pretty" and to "listen to the music of the traffic in the city." These descriptions create a sense of excitement about the atmosphere of the city and help to evoke the kind of hope and expectation that people have when they are looking for change or escape from their everyday lives.
Overall, the song "Downtown" captures the feeling of energy and possibility that comes from being in a bustling city. It encourages us to embrace the joy and connection that can be found in the crowd, and to forget our troubles and cares for a little while by getting lost in the rhythm and beauty of the city.
Line by Line Meaning
When you're alone, and life is making you lonely
If you feel lonely, there's a place you can go to find solace.
You can always go downtown
That place is downtown, a bustling and lively urban area.
When you've got worries, all the noise and the hurry
If you're feeling anxious, the vibrant atmosphere of downtown might help alleviate those feelings.
Seems to help, I know - downtown
The songwriter assures us that this is true based on their personal experience.
Just listen to the music of the traffic in the city
The strains of traffic can be like a soothing lullaby when you're in the right mindset.
Linger on the sidewalk where the neon signs are pretty
Taking in the beauty of the lights and signs can be calming and mood-lifting.
How can you lose?
Given all these positive reasons to go to downtown, why wouldn't you go?
The lights are much brighter there
The neon lights and bustling urban environment can make you feel more alive and energized.
You can forget all your troubles, forget all your cares
Downtown is the perfect place to escape from the worries and stresses of everyday life.
So go downtown; things'll be great when you're
The songwriter encourages you to take the plunge and head into the heart of the city.
Downtown; no finer place for sure
In their opinion, there's no better place to be than downtown.
Downtown everything's waiting for you
It's a place full of endless opportunities and new experiences.
Don't hang around and let your problems surround you
It's not productive to sit around and let your worries take over your life.
There are movie shows downtown
Movies are a fun way to unwind and relax when you're feeling down.
Maybe you know some little places to go to
The singer imagines that you might have some secret spots where you like to hang out downtown.
Where they never close, downtown
Downtown is a place where something is always happening and you can always find something to do.
Just listen to the rhythm of a gentle bossa nova
Music can have a calming effect on your mood, and the bossa nova is a particularly relaxing genre.
You'll be dancing with him too before the night is over
The upbeat rhythms might inspire you to dance and have fun with others in the city.
Happy again
The happiness you feel from dancing and enjoying yourself can help you forget your problems and feel happy again.
So go downtown, where all the lights are bright
The singer encourages you to embrace the colorful and stimulating visual experience of the city at night.
Downtown - waiting for you tonight
The city is open and ready for you to explore and have fun.
Downtown - you're gonna be all right now
The song reassures you that after experiencing the lively city, you'll feel better and more optimistic.
And you may find somebody kind to help and understand you
The city is full of people who might be able to help you in any situation, including making you feel less alone.
Someone who is just like you and needs a gentle hand to
You might even find someone who is going through what you are and who understands what you need.
Guide them along
The city can be a place of shared experiences where you can help each other along.
So maybe I'll see you there
The songwriter imagines that they might run into you in the midst of all the bustling city activity.
We can forget all our troubles, forget all our cares
Together, you can both enjoy the freedom and thrill of letting go of all your worries.
Downtown; don't wait a minute for
The songwriter wants you to feel inspired and encouraged to take advantage of everything the city has to offer.
Downtown; everything's waiting for you
All the excitement, adventure, and possibilities of life are there for you to discover in downtown.
Downtown, downtown, downtown, downtown
The repetitious chanting of the title underscores the urgency and excitement that the singer feels about downtown.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Tony Hatch
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind