Everybody Lay Down

Last updated
"Everybody Lay Down"
Pat Benatar Everybody Lay Down 1993 single cover.jpg
Single by Pat Benatar
from the album Gravity's Rainbow
ReleasedApril 26, 1993 [1]
Length
  • 4:25 (album version)
  • 3:57 (single version)
Label Chrysalis
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Pat Benatar singles chronology
"So Long"
(1991)		"Everybody Lay Down"
(1993)		"Somebody's Baby"
(1993)

"Everybody Lay Down" is a song by American singer Pat Benatar, which was released in 1993 as the lead single from her ninth studio album Gravity's Rainbow . The song was written by Neil Giraldo and Benatar, and produced by Don Gehman and Giraldo. "Everybody Lay Down" reached No. 3 on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart in June 1993. [2]

Contents

Background

Speaking of the song's lyrical message, Benatar told the Southtown Star in 1993, "'Everybody Lay Down' is really about complacency. You see it, you don't do anything about it, but you whine. That's the thing I hate. Put up or shut up. You know, nobody will vote, but then they'll sit there for five hours at the dinner table complaining about the person that they were too lazy to go and not vote for. So that's what it's about. It's like talk shows. Everybody is so ready to just get on there and spill their guts and I'm like, who's interested?" [3]

Release

"Everybody Lay Down" was released as a radio single from Gravity's Rainbow and reached No. 3 on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart. The senior director of album promotion for Chrysalis/EMI, Neil Lasher, told Billboard in 1993, "When I started traveling around the country talking about Pat, I was told that some of her older stuff wasn't being played anymore, and that the blues album [ True Love ] was not relevant. Then I started playing people 'Everybody Lay Down' and they literally wanted to grab the tape from me." [4]

Critical reception

On its release as a single, Larry Flick of Billboard described "Everybody Lay Down" as a "catchy throwdown that takes Benatar back to the days of now-classic hits like 'Promises in the Dark'". He added, "The difference is a more worldly vocal delivery and a lyric depth that is the true meat of this track." In light of the song's strong airplay, he considered it would be "wise" of Chrysalis to give the single a full, commercial release. [5]

In a review of Gravity's Rainbow, Andrea Odintz of Rolling Stone described the song as a "rhythmic anthem" and the "type of melodic hard rock that remains Benatar's winning formula". Odintz added, "In fact, it's so catchy that the irony of the lyrics may be lost." [6] Gerry Krochak of the Regina Leader-Post felt the song "shows that she hasn't lost one ounce of the powerful, throaty vocals that made a copycat out of Alannah Myles". He added, "It's a well structured number, with a funky bass line and solid chorus that complement Benatar's obvious vocal assets." [7] Chuck Campbell of the Scripps Howard News Service wrote, "Benatar refamiliarizes her audience with her vocal prowess on the choruses of 'Everybody Lay Down,' an invective against apathy." [8]

Track listing

7–inch single (Jukebox release) [9]
  1. "Everybody Lay Down" – 4:25
  2. "Promises in the Dark" (Live) – 5:11
CD single (US promo) [10]
  1. "Everybody Lay Down" (Edit Version) – 3:57
  2. "Everybody Lay Down" (Album Version) – 4:25
CD single (Japanese release) [11]
  1. "Everybody Lay Down" (Edit Version) – 3:57
  2. "Everybody Lay Down" (Album Version) – 4:25

Personnel

Everybody Lay Down [12]

Production

Charts

Chart (1993)Peak
position
Canada Top Singles ( RPM ) [13] 50
US Mainstream Rock ( Billboard ) [14] 3

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pat Benatar</span> American singer and songwriter (born 1953)

Patricia Mae Giraldo is an American rock singer and songwriter. In the United States, she has had two multi-platinum albums, five platinum albums, and 15 Billboard top 40 singles, while in Canada she had eight straight platinum albums, and she has sold over 35 million albums worldwide. She is also a four-time Grammy Award winner. She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in November 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Everybody Hurts</span> 1993 single by R.E.M.

"Everybody Hurts" is a song by American rock band R.E.M. from their eighth studio album, Automatic for the People (1992), and released as a single in April 1993. It peaked at number 29 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song fared much better on the US Cash Box Top 100, where it peaked at number 18. It also reached the top 10 on the charts of Australia, Canada, France, Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. In 2003, Q ranked "Everybody Hurts" at number 31 on their list of the "1001 Best Songs Ever". In 2005, Blender ranked the song at number 238 on their list of "Greatest Songs Since You Were Born".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Misunderstood (Robbie Williams song)</span> 2004 single by Robbie Williams

"Misunderstood" is a song by British pop singer Robbie Williams. Williams co-wrote and co-produced the song with Stephen Duffy from English band Duran Duran, who also plays the acoustic guitars, bass, and harmonica on the track. The song was released as the second single from Williams' hits compilation Greatest Hits in December 2004, peaking at number eight on the UK Singles Chart and reaching the top 10 in Denmark, Italy, and the Netherlands. The song was featured on the Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason soundtrack.

<i>In the Heat of the Night</i> (Pat Benatar album) 1979 studio album by Pat Benatar

In the Heat of the Night is the debut studio album by American singer Pat Benatar, released on August 27, 1979, by Chrysalis Records. The album debuted on the Billboard 200 for the week ending October 20, 1979, peaking at No. 12 in March 1980, almost six months after its release.

<i>Crimes of Passion</i> (Pat Benatar album) 1980 studio album by Pat Benatar

Crimes of Passion is the second studio album by American singer Pat Benatar, released on August 5, 1980, by Chrysalis Records. It is Benatar's first album to feature Myron Grombacher on drums, beginning a long tenure in her band that would last into the late 1990s.

<i>Precious Time</i> (album) 1981 studio album by Pat Benatar

Precious Time is the third studio album by American singer Pat Benatar, released on July 6, 1981, through the Chrysalis label. The album peaked at number one on the United States' Billboard 200, her only album to do so in any country, and was certified as Double Platinum in sales in the US.

<i>Tropico</i> (Pat Benatar album) 1984 studio album by Pat Benatar

Tropico is the fifth studio album by American rock singer Pat Benatar, released on November 1, 1984, by Chrysalis Records. It is the first album to feature one-time John Waite bassist Donnie Nossov, who replaced Roger Capps in Benatar's band.

<i>Seven the Hard Way</i> 1985 studio album by Pat Benatar

Seven the Hard Way is the sixth studio album by American singer Pat Benatar, released on October 30, 1985, by Chrysalis Records. It debuted on the US Billboard 200 for the week of December 14 and peaked at number 26, spawning the singles "Invincible", "Sex as a Weapon", and "Le Bel Age". The album has been certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

<i>Gravitys Rainbow</i> (album) 1993 studio album by Pat Benatar

Gravity's Rainbow is the ninth studio album and tenth album overall by American singer Pat Benatar. It was released in 1993 on Chrysalis Records. The album is named after, though bears little other relation to, Thomas Pynchon's 1973 novel of the same name. It peaked at No. 85 on the US Billboard 200, Gravity's Rainbow would be Benatar's last studio album recorded for Chrysalis.

<i>Innamorata</i> (album) 1997 studio album by Pat Benatar

Innamorata is American rock singer Pat Benatar's tenth studio album, and her eleventh album overall, released in 1997. It charted a single week on the US Billboard album chart, at No. 171.

<i>Synchronistic Wanderings</i> 1999 compilation album by Pat Benatar

Synchronistic Wanderings is a compilation album by American rock singer Pat Benatar. Spanning three discs, it is a box set chronicling her career from 1979 to 1999—twenty years. Included are soundtrack contributions, b-sides, studio outtakes, previously unreleased songs, and rarities, as well as well-known singles—overall, it adds up to fifty-three tracks total. The accompanying booklet chronicles her career, discussing her ups and downs and giving additional commentary and background on most of the included songs from Benatar and husband Neil Giraldo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">We Belong</span> 1984 single by Pat Benatar

"We Belong" is a song recorded by American rock singer Pat Benatar, released through Legacy Music Group on October 16, 1984, as the lead single from her sixth studio album, Tropico (1984). The song written by songwriting duo Eric Lowen and Dan Navarro. It matched the success of "Love Is a Battlefield" on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in the United States, peaking at #5. It reached #3 on Billboard's Top Rock Tracks chart and #34 on the Adult Contemporary.

<i>Wide Awake in Dreamland</i> 1988 studio album by Pat Benatar

Wide Awake in Dreamland is the seventh studio album by American rock singer Pat Benatar, and her eighth album overall, released in 1988. After a string of successful albums, this was her last rock-oriented album of the 1980s, before she would go on to try a blues-based sound with True Love in 1991.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All Fired Up (Rattling Sabres song)</span> 1987 single by the Rattling Sabres

"All Fired Up" is a song written by Kerryn Tolhurst and first performed and released by Australian country rock group Rattling Sabres in 1987. It charted nationally, peaking at number 94 on the Australian Music Report. The following year, American singer-songwriter Pat Benatar recorded a version that became a chart hit in several countries, including Australia, where it reached number two on the ARIA Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Need a Lover</span> 1978 single by Johnny Cougar

"I Need a Lover" is the debut single by John Mellencamp, first released in 1978 under the stage name "Johnny Cougar".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Faithful (Go West song)</span> 1992 single by Go West

"Faithful" is a song by English pop duo Go West. The song is the opening track on the band's fourth album, Indian Summer (1992), and serves as the album's lead single. Written by the band and Martin Page and produced by Peter Wolf, the song reached the top 20 in New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Its highest chart position was in Canada, where it peaked at number two in February 1993. It also reached number three on the adult contemporary charts of both Canada and the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neil Giraldo</span> American musician (born 1955)

Neil Thomas Giraldo is an American musician, record producer, arranger, and songwriter best known as the musical partner of Pat Benatar since 1979 – and spouse since 1982. He has also performed, written and produced for artists including Rick Derringer, John Waite, Rick Springfield, Kenny Loggins, Steve Forbert, The Del-Lords, Scott Kempner, and Beth Hart. Giraldo's diverse work has sold over 45 million records and his contributions have produced five Grammy Awards and an additional four Grammy nominations. In 2022, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alongside Benatar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Walk Away (Pat Benatar song)</span> 1988 single by Pat Benatar

"Don't Walk Away" is a song by American singer Pat Benatar, which was released in 1988 as the second single from her seventh studio album Wide Awake in Dreamland. The song was written by Nick Gilder and Duane Hitchings, and produced by Peter Coleman and Neil Giraldo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Obsession (Icehouse song)</span> 1987 song by Icehouse

"My Obsession" is a song by Australian rock band Icehouse, which was released in 1987 as the third single from their sixth studio album Man of Colours. The song was written by Iva Davies and Robert Kretschmer, and produced by David Lord. "My Obsession" peaked at No. 12 on Australia's Kent Music Report chart and No. 88 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heal It Up</span> 1993 single by Concrete Blonde

"Heal It Up" is a song from American alternative rock band Concrete Blonde, which was released in 1993 as the second single from their fifth studio album Mexican Moon. The song was written by Johnette Napolitano, and produced by Concrete Blonde and Sean Freehill.

References

  1. ↑ "Stewart sets 'Unplugged' LP, TV Date - Benatar Rocks" (PDF). R&R . No. 988. April 16, 1993. p. 47. Retrieved July 9, 2021– via World Radio History.
  2. ↑ "Pet Benatar - Everybody Lay Down". Billboard. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  3. ↑ Everson, John (June 3, 1993). "Full speed ahead for rocker Pat Benatar at age 40". The Southtown Star .
  4. ↑ Verna, Paul (June 12, 1993). "Benatar at beginning of 'Rainbow' - label sees no end of potential singles" (PDF). Billboard . p. 12. Retrieved July 9, 2021– via World Radio History.
  5. ↑ Flick, Larry (June 5, 1993). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard . p. 74. Retrieved July 9, 2021– via World Radio History.
  6. ↑ Odintz, Andrea (30 September 1993). "Album Reviews: Pat Benatar - Gravity's Rainbow". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on 2007-11-27. Retrieved 2012-03-09.
  7. ↑ Krochak, Gerry (June 28, 1993). "Albums - Some Coles burn, others just spark". The Regina Leader-Post . p. C12.
  8. ↑ Campbell, Chuck (July 4, 1993). "Album Reviews - Vandross' soothing voice unmatched". Leader-Telegram (Eau Claire). p. 4G.
  9. ↑ Everybody Lay Down (US 7-inch jukebox single). Pat Benatar. Chrysalis Records. 1993. S7-17592.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. ↑ Everybody Lay Down (US CD promo single sleeve). Pat Benatar. Chrysalis Records. 1993. DPRO-04693.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. ↑ Everybody Lay Down (US CD single sleeve). Pat Benatar. EMI Records. 1993. TODP-2418.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. ↑ Gravity's Rainbow (US CD album booklet). Pat Benatar. Chrysalis Records. 1993. 0946 3 21982 2 8, F2-21982.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 1000." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  14. ↑ "Pat Benatar Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
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.