Petula Clark’s ‘Downtown’ Was a Response to 1 Girl Group Song
Great music begets great music. “Downtown” by Petula Clark became the most beloved British Invasion song that doesn’t have a hint of rock ‘n’ roll music in it. Interestingly, “Downtown” was inspired by the work of Phil Spector, who changed rock ‘n’ roll forever.
A songwriter wrote Petula Clark’s ‘Downtown’ because he disliked a girl group song title
Tony Hatch is not a household name, but he was instrumental in Clark’s career. He was behind all her biggest hits, including “Don’t Sleep in the Subway,” “My Love,” and “Downtown.” While groups like The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and The Beach Boys were revolutionizing popular music in the 1960s, Clark and Hatch ensured that traditional, pre-rock ‘n’ roll pop music still had a seat at the table.
During a 2016 interview with The Guardian, Hatch discussed the origin of “Downtown.” “The Crystals had recorded a [Spector] song called ‘Uptown,’ but as I saw the neon lights and people, I thought: ”Downtown’ would make a much better title,'” he said. “Geographically, I was wrong: the real downtown was much further down Manhattan. But the word refers to where the nightlife is, and it stuck in my head.”
Hatch only showed Clark “Downtown” as a last resort. “Back in London, I got the melody on the piano and went to see Petula,” he said. “She didn’t like my songs that much and, after hearing a few, said: ‘Haven’t you got anything else?’ So that was when I played the embryonic ‘Downtown.’ When we recorded it, I knew it was special. For the first time, I wasn’t copying Burt Bacharach.”
The girl group and Petula Clark displayed opposite attitudes towards the big city
The differences between “Uptown” and “Downtown” are stark. The former is a song about a man who is treated horribly when he’s working downtown but feels like a king when he sees his sweetheart uptown. Meanwhile, Clark’s song makes going downtown seem rejuvenating and life-affirming.
“Uptown” was produced by Spector, one of the most important musicians of the 1960s. He created a technique known as the Wall of Sound, which involves layering so many instruments into one recording that you can’t pick out any individual instrument. At the time, “Uptown” was cutting-edge. Meanwhile, “Downtown” could easily have been recorded in the 1940s or the 1950s.
The legacy of ‘Downtown’
Decades later, Hatch seemed very pleased with “Downtown.” “It’s my favorite of all my songs,” he revealed. “In 2013, I was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and Petula sang ‘Downtown’ and presented me with the award — at the Marriott in Times Square, the place that inspired the song.”
In addition to being everyone’s favorite song by Hatch and Clark, “Downtown” continues to have an impact on popular culture. The tune has been covered by major stars such as Dolly Parton, Emma Bunton of the Spice Girls, and the Saw Doctors. Anya Taylor-Joy also covered it for Edgar Wright’s horror film Last Night in Soho. The movie is an homage to the fashion, social mores, and music of Swinging London. With that in mind, Wright could not have chosen a more perfect song for Last Night in Soho.
“Downtown” is a great song and it wouldn’t be the same without Spector’s work.
