Down Town
Marianne Faithfull Lyrics


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When you're alone
And life is making you lonely
You can always go
Down town

When you've got worries
All the noise and the hurry
Seems to hurt, I know
Down town

Just listen to the music of the traffic in the city
Linger on the sidewalks 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 down town
Things will be great when you're
Down town
No finer place for sure
Down town
Everything's waiting for you

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 rhythm of the gentle bossa-nova
You'll be dancing with them, 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 down town
Where all the lights are bright
Down town
Waiting for you tonight
Down town
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 him along

So maybe I'll see you there
We can forget all our troubles, forget all our cares

And go down town
Things will be great when you're
Down town
Don't wait a minute more
Down town
Everything's waiting for you

Overall Meaning

The song "Down Town" by Marianne Faithfull is about finding solace in the bustling city when you feel lonely and troubled. The lyrics suggest that you can forget all your worries and cares by immersing yourself in the sights and sounds of downtown. The song's protagonist recommends checking out the neon signs, listening to the traffic, and soaking in the gentle bossa nova rhythm. Moreover, the song suggests that there is someone out there waiting for you, someone who understands what you are going through, and needs a helping hand.


The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a vibrant cityscape that is full of life and energy. Marianne Faithfull's voice is soothing and mellifluous and brings out the serenity and peace that can be found in the noise and chaos of the city. She exudes a sense of reassurance and comfort, encouraging the listener to explore the city and find happiness and contentment.


In conclusion, "Down Town" is an uplifting and optimistic song that encourages the listener to be brave and face the world head-on. It suggests that there is always hope, joy, and companionship to be found, even in the most unlikely places.


Line by Line Meaning

When you're alone
When you are by yourself


And life is making you lonely
And you feel isolated because of life


You can always go
You can always visit


Down town
The city center


When you've got worries
When you have things on your mind


All the noise and the hurry
All the commotion and the rush


Seems to hurt, I know
Feels overwhelming, I understand


Down town
The city center


Just listen to the music of the traffic in the city
Just listen to the sounds of the city traffic


Linger on the sidewalks where the neon signs are pretty
Spend your time on the pavements where the neon lights look nice


How can you lose?
There's no way you can fail


The lights are much brighter there
The illumination is significantly higher there


You can forget all your troubles, forget all your cares
You can ignore all your problems and the things that concern you


And go down town
And visit the city center


Things will be great when you're
You will feel fantastic when you are


Down town
The city center


No finer place for sure
There is no better place


Down town
The city center


Everything's waiting for you
Everything is anticipating your arrival


Don't hang around
Don't linger


And let your problems surround you
And let your problems become overwhelming


There are movie shows
There are films being shown


Down town
The city center


Maybe you know
Perhaps you are aware of


Some little places to go
Some small places to visit


To where they never close
Where they never shut down


Down town
The city center


Just listen to the rhythm of the gentle bossa-nova
Just listen to the gentle bossa-nova beats


You'll be dancing with them, too, before the night is over
You'll be dancing with the rhythm before the night comes to an end


Happy again
Feeling joyful once more


The lights are much brighter there
The illumination is significantly higher there


You can forget all your troubles, forget all your cares
You can ignore all your problems and the things that concern you


And go down town
And visit the city center


Where all the lights are bright
Where all the illumination is radiant


Down town
The city center


Waiting for you tonight
Awaiting your arrival tonight


You're gonna be all right now
Now everything will be alright


And you may find
And you might discover


Somebody kind
Someone compassionate


To help and understand you
To assist and comprehend you


Someone who is just like you
Someone who is similar to you


And needs a gentle hand
And requires a considerate touch


To guide him along
To support him throughout his journey


So maybe I'll see you there
So I might see you there


We can forget all our troubles, forget all our cares
We can ignore all our problems and the things that concern us


And go down town
And visit the city center


Things will be great when you're
You will feel fantastic when you are


Down town
The city center


Don't wait a minute more
Don't delay any longer


Down town
The city center


Everything's waiting for you
Everything is anticipating your arrival




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Tony Hatch

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@paulinebutcherbird

One year after this video, I met Marianne with Mick Jagger when they visited Frank Zappa's house in Laurel Canyon, Hollywood where I lived and worked. They'd brought a bottle of whisky with them and were slightly drunk. Like a double-act, he spoke, she spoke, he spoke, she spoke. They got the gigles, so much so that Marianne slid off Mick's lap on to the floor so that her feet peeped over the kitchen table. On the other side, Frank Zappa and his wife, Gail, sat amused.

@KeithMather-r4g

I'm sure Petula Clark would approve, rest in peace Marianne, always in our Hearts 😢💔🙏

@matoko123

It's like an impersonation of Petula Clark. Totally unoriginal unlike her stunning As Tears Go By.

@lesliegmn3927

Startled me for a moment, as fortunately Petula’s alive.

@azerty-j7l

@@lesliegmn3927
I'm very please to learn it. :)

@matoko123

@ She certainly is :)

@stuartwray6175

​@@azerty-j7l...'that tune don't fit to restrain Marianne nice voice here' - eh?

5 More Replies...

@piper081147

Spirit of the 60's. RIP Marianne.

@robertzantay5923

Marianne was living on the upper west side when I met her, she was living with an adult flute student of mine. She was always intelligent and kind, I enjoyed hanging out with her, great voice!

@janath9118

Good memories for you!

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