Downtown

Recently I enjoyed listening to Petula Clark’s classic performance of “Downtown” on Seattle’s KIXI 880 on the AM dial. It got me wondering if the song has had anything to do with the growing popularity of downtown living. Did you know that almost 60% of the United States population live in what is considered “urban” areas by the U.S. Census? This standard includes all cities over 50,000 residents. Is living in the city a passing fashion? Or is it the right way to live? What about sustainability? Your thoughts?

1965
Songwriter: Tony Hatch
Made famous by singer Petula Clark

“Downtown” by Tony Hatch

When you’re alone and life is making you lonely
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?

The lights are much brighter there
You can forget all your troubles
Forget all your cares and go

Downtown, things’ll be great when you’re
Downtown, no finer place for sure
Downtown, everything’s waiting for you
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 so go

Downtown, where all the lights are bright
Downtown, waiting for you tonight
Downtown, you’re gonna be alright now

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 so go

Downtown, things’ll be great when you’re
Downtown, don’t wait a minute more
Downtown, everything’s waiting for you
Downtown

Downtown
Downtown
Come on, come on
Come on, downtown
Everybody go downtown
Downtown