Downtown Venus

Last updated

"Downtown Venus"
P.M. Dawn Downtown Venus cover.jpg
Single by P.M. Dawn
from the album Jesus Wept
B-side "She Dreams Persistent Maybes"
ReleasedAugust 22, 1995 (1995-08-22)
Studio Bliss
Genre Rock
Length3:40
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) P.M. Dawn
P.M. Dawn singles chronology
"You Got Me Floatin'"
(1993)		"Downtown Venus"
(1995)		"Sometimes I Miss You So Much (Dedicated to the Christ-Consciousness)"
(1995)
Audio
"Downtown Venus" on YouTube

"Downtown Venus" is the first single released from American hip hop-R&B act P.M. Dawn's third studio album, Jesus Wept (1995). The second track on the album, [1] the song was written by the duo's lead vocalist, Prince Be (under his real name, Attrell Cordes) and produced by P.M. Dawn. It is built around a sample of "Hush" by Deep Purple, so writer Joe South was given a writing credit.

Contents

Released on August 22, 1995 by Gee Street and Island, "Downtown Venus" did not replicate the success of the band's previous singles, peaking at number 48 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 58 in the United Kingdom. Because of its guitar-driven rock sound, the song was serviced to alternative radio stations and reached number 39 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, marking P.M. Dawn's only appearance on the listing.

Composition

"Downtown Venus" is heavily built on a sample of the 1967 song "Hush", written by Joe South, as covered by English rock band Deep Purple in 1968. [2] Billboard magazine editor Paul Verna has described the track as a rock song with pop and R&B tones. [3] Larry Flick of the same publication compared the song's vocals to those of John Lennon and noted its "psychedelic" guitar chords. [4]

Release and commercial performance

Before the song was sent to contemporary hit radio (CHR), Gee Street Records and Island Records decided to service the track to alternative radio stations first, as they wanted to demonstrate that P.M. Dawn could stray from their established pop sound; this was done during late August and early September, and the song was added to rhythmic contemporary and contemporary hit radio on August 22, 1995. [5] [6] In Japan, a CD single was released on October 16, 1995. [7]

"Downtown Venus" became P.M. Dawn's only song to appear on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, on which it peaked at number 39 in September 1995. [8] Following the single's physical release as well as additions to CHR playlists, the song reached number 48 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 21 on the Billboard Top 40/Mainstream chart in early October. [9] [10] It did not fare well internationally, stalling at number 43 in Canada, number 58 in the United Kingdom, and number 73 in Australia. [11] [12] [13]

Critical reception

Dave Jennings from Melody Maker wrote, "'Downtown Venus' is, amazingly, giddily upbeat and downright urgent. I'm trying to be by myself.../You could be into you/But you don't know what you're like, sings Prince Be in a fine display of introspection turned into inspired action. It positively froths over with radio-friendliness and everyday friendliness, and this time it shouldn't be just the Prince's analyst who'll understand." [14] Paul Moody from NME said, "This time our man throws a dash of Deep Purple's 'Hush' into the usual stream of (sub)consciousness burble and comes up, erm, trumps! You would be into you/But you don't know what you're like! croons Sir Be in a coquettish Prince-like whisper. Swoon. A hit!" [15]

Track listings

Credits and personnel

Credits are taken from the US CD single liner notes. [18]

Studio

Personnel

Charts

Chart (1995)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA) [13] 73
Canada Top Singles ( RPM ) [11] 43
UK Singles (OCC) [12] 58
US Billboard Hot 100 [9] 48
US Modern Rock Tracks ( Billboard ) [8] 39
US Top 40/Mainstream ( Billboard ) [10] 21

Related Research Articles

"It's Oh So Quiet" is a song by American singer Betty Hutton, released in 1951 as the B-side to the single "Murder, He Says". It is a cover of the German song "Und jetzt ist es still", performed by Horst Winter in 1948, with music written by Austrian composer Hans Lang and German lyrics by Erich Meder. The English lyrics were written by Bert Reisfeld. A French title, "Tout est tranquille", was performed in 1949 by Ginette Garcin and the Jacques Hélian Orchestra.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">P.M. Dawn</span> American hip hop group

P.M. Dawn is an American hip hop and R&B act that formed in 1988 by the brothers Attrell Cordes and Jarrett Cordes in Jersey City, New Jersey. They earned significant crossover success in the early 1990s with music that merged hip hop, older soul, and more pop-oriented urban R&B.

<i>Of the Heart, of the Soul and of the Cross: The Utopian Experience</i> 1991 studio album by P.M. Dawn

Of the Heart, of the Soul and of the Cross: The Utopian Experience is the debut album by American hip hop group P.M. Dawn. It was recorded at Berwick Street Studios and Gee Street Studios in London. The album features soul vocals and stream-of-consciousness raps by Prince Be and unconventional samples by producer DJ Minutemix.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Set Adrift on Memory Bliss</span> 1991 single by P.M. Dawn

"Set Adrift on Memory Bliss" is a song by American hip-hop group P.M. Dawn, released in August 1991 by Gee Street and Island as the second single from their debut album, Of the Heart, of the Soul and of the Cross: The Utopian Experience (1991). It is built around samples of Spandau Ballet's "True", the Soul Searchers' "Ashley's Roachclip", and the Bob James version of Paul Simon's "Take Me to the Mardi Gras", with the remainder of the song written by P.M. Dawn vocalist Attrell "Prince Be" Cordes. Only Prince Be and "True" writer Gary Kemp were credited for writing the track.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'd Die Without You</span> 1992 single by P.M. Dawn

"I'd Die Without You" is a song by American R&B duo P.M. Dawn, first appearing on the soundtrack of the 1992 film Boomerang, starring Eddie Murphy, and was one of several songs to chart from the album. Later, the song was released on the duo's second album, The Bliss Album...? (1993), as well as on their 2000 greatest hits collection, The Best of P.M. Dawn.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alone (Bee Gees song)</span> 1997 single by Bee Gees

"Alone" is a song by musical group the Bee Gees. The ballad, written by Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb, is the opening track on their 21st studio album, Still Waters (1997), and was the first single released from the album on 17 February 1997. In the United Kingdom, the song was backed with two B-sides: "Closer Than Close" and "Rings Around the Moon", while in the United States, a live version of "Stayin' Alive" was included on the single releases.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">For Whom the Bell Tolls (Bee Gees song)</span> 1993 single by Bee Gees

"For Whom the Bell Tolls" is a song by the Bee Gees, released on 15 November 1993 as the second single from their 20th studio album, Size Isn't Everything (1993). It peaked at number four on the UK Singles Chart and number six in Ireland. This song would be the band's highest-charting single in the UK during the 1990s, giving them a UK top-five single in four consecutive decades: the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. A music video, filmed in New York, was also released for this song.

<i>Jesus Wept</i> 1995 studio album by P.M. Dawn

Jesus Wept is the third album by American hip hop group P.M. Dawn. It was released in October 1995 via Gee Street Records, and was unable to attain the success of the group's first two albums, Of the Heart, of the Soul and of the Cross: The Utopian Experience and The Bliss Album...? .

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm the Only One</span> 1993 single by Melissa Etheridge

"I'm the Only One" is a song by American singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge from her fourth studio album, Yes I Am (1993). It was released as the first single in September 1993, reaching number 12 in Canada and number 26 in the Netherlands. In the United States, it was slow to gain momentum, but after the success of "Come to My Window", it was re-released, peaking at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart in January 1995. It remains Etheridge's biggest hit on either chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paying the Price of Love</span> 1993 single by Bee Gees

"Paying the Price of Love" is the first single from the Bee Gees' 20th studio album, Size Isn't Everything (1993). The song was released in August 1993 by Polydor, reaching the top-10 in Belgium and Portugal and the top-40 in Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. In the United States, it charted on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching number 74, and peaked within the top-30 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. The promotional video for the song shows the brothers performing the song as holograms on a futuristic version of MTV.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mother Mother (song)</span> 1996 single by Tracy Bonham

"Mother Mother" is a song by American musician Tracy Bonham from her debut album, The Burdens of Being Upright (1996). Released on March 12, 1996, it became her most successful single, topping the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, entering the top five in Australia, and finding success in several other countries, including Canada and Norway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Looking Through Patient Eyes</span> 1993 single by P.M. Dawn

"Looking Through Patient Eyes" is a song by American hip hop and R&B group P.M. Dawn. It was released on March 1, 1993, as the second single from their second studio album, The Bliss Album...? (1993). The song, written by P.M. Dawn's Attrell Cordes, features backing vocals by Cathy Dennis and samples "Father Figure" by George Michael. The line "Joni help me, I think I'm falling" is a reference to Canadian singer Joni Mitchell's song "Help Me"; she is also referenced in the group's previous single "Set Adrift on Memory Bliss".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Again (Faith Evans song)</span> 2005 single by Faith Evans

"Again" is a song by American singer Faith Evans. It was written by Ivan Barias, Carvin Haggins, and Evans for her fourth studio album The First Lady (2005), while production was helmed by Barias and Haggins under their production moniker Carvin & Ivan. It contains a sample from "Genuine" by American 1970s soul group the Whatnauts. Due to the inclusion of the sample, Jerry Harris and Venus Dodson are also credited as songwriters. "Again" addresses Evans's 2004 arrest for drug possession.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hush (LL Cool J song)</span> 2004 single by LL Cool J

"Hush" is the second single from American rapper LL Cool J's 10th studio album, The DEFinition (2004). Produced by 7 Aurelius, who provides additional vocals, the song was released on September 7, 2004, by Def Jam Recordings. "Hush" charted at number 26 on the US Billboard Hot 100, number 11 on the Billboard Hot Rap Singles chart, and number 14 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart. The single became a top-10 success in the United Kingdom, where it debuted and peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart in February 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dreams (The Cranberries song)</span> 1992 single by the Cranberries

"Dreams" is the debut single of Irish rock band the Cranberries. It was originally released in September 1992 by Island Records and later appeared on the band's debut album, Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We? (1993). The song reached the top 50 of the US Hot 100 and the top 30 of the UK Singles Chart in early 1994. A 1990 demo version was released in Ireland only in the summer of that year under their initial band name, the Cranberry Saw Us. At the end of the song, the backing vocals are sung by Mike Mahoney, ex-boyfriend of Cranberries lead singer Dolores O'Riordan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ode to My Family</span> 1994 single by the Cranberries

"Ode to My Family" is a song by Irish band the Cranberries, released on 21 November 1994 by Island Records as the second single from their second studio album, No Need to Argue (1994). The song was written by bandmembers Dolores O'Riordan and Noel Hogan. It was a hit in Oceania and several European countries, topping the charts in Iceland, and reaching number four in France, number five in Australia, and number eight in New Zealand. Its music video was directed by Samuel Bayer. In 2017, the song was released as an acoustic, stripped down version on the band's Something Else album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Free to Decide</span> 1996 single by the Cranberries

"Free to Decide" is a song by Irish rock band the Cranberries, released as the second single from their third studio album, To the Faithful Departed (1996), on 1 July 1996. The song achieved minor chart success in Europe but became a top-10 hit in Canada, peaking at number two on the RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart. In the United States, it peaked at number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number eight on the Modern Rock Tracks chart. In 2017, the song was released as an acoustic version on the band's Something Else album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">If I Wanted To</span> 1994 single by Melissa Etheridge

"If I Wanted To" is a song by American singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge, released in 1994 as the final single from her fourth studio album, Yes I Am (1993). The song entered the top 50 in Australia, Canada, Iceland, and the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">When You're Gone (The Cranberries song)</span> 1996 single by the Cranberries

"When You're Gone" is a song by Irish band the Cranberries. It is the third single from their third studio album, To the Faithful Departed (1996). The music video was directed by Karen Bellone and was released at the end of 1996. The song was first played during the North American leg of the No Need to Argue Tour in late 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Want to Come Over</span> 1996 single by Melissa Etheridge

"I Want to Come Over" is a song by American singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge. It was released in late January 1996 as the second single from her fifth studio album, Your Little Secret (1995). The song was a commercial success, reaching number 22 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 29 in both Australia and New Zealand. It also reached number one on the Canadian RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart in March 1996. At the end of the year, the song appeared on the American and Canadian year-end charts at numbers 79 and 11, respectively.

References

  1. ↑ "P.M. Dawn – Jesus Wept". AllMusic . Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  2. ↑ Wilkening, Matthew (October 3, 2015). "20 Years Ago: P.M. Dawn Release Their Wrongly Ignored Masterpiece, 'Jesus Wept'". The Boombox . Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  3. ↑ Verna, Paul (October 21, 1995). "Reviews & Previews – Albums" (PDF). Billboard . Vol. 107, no. 42. p. 79. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  4. ↑ Flick, Larry, ed. (September 9, 1995). "Reviews & Previews – Singles" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 107, no. 36. p. 112. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  5. ↑ Sprague, David (August 26, 1995). "Gee Street Has Alternative Route for 3rd PM Dawn Set" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 107, no. 34. p. 14. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  6. ↑ "Selected New Releases" (PDF). Radio & Records . No. 1108. August 18, 1995. pp. 31, 37. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  7. ↑ "ダウンタウン・ビーナス | P.M.ドーン" [Downtown Venus | P.M. Dawn] (in Japanese). Oricon . Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  8. 1 2 "P.M. Dawn: Alternative Airplay". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  9. 1 2 "P.M. Dawn: The Hot 100". Billboard . Archived from the original on November 17, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  10. 1 2 "P.M. Dawn: Pop Airplay". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  11. 1 2 "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2801." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  12. 1 2 "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  13. 1 2 Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 220.
  14. ↑ Jennings, Dave (September 30, 1995). "Singles". Melody Maker . p. 32. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  15. ↑ Moody, Paul (September 23, 1995). "Singles". NME . p. 45. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  16. ↑ Downtown Venus (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). P.M. Dawn. Gee Street Records, Island Records. 1995. 422-854 408-7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  17. ↑ Downtown Venus (US cassette single sleeve). P.M. Dawn. Gee Street Records, Island Records. 1995. 422-854 408-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  18. 1 2 Downtown Venus (US CD single liner notes). P.M. Dawn. Gee Street Records, Island Records. 1995. 422-854 409-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  19. ↑ Downtown Venus (UK & Australasian CD single liner notes). P.M. Dawn. Gee Street Records, Island Records, Mercury Records. 1995. GESCD 63, 854 417-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  20. ↑ Downtown Venus (Japanese CD single liner notes). P.M. Dawn. Gee Street Records, Island Records. 1995. PHCR-8337.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.