The guy who wrote Petula Clark’s “Downtown” actually wrote it with NYC’s Midtown in mind

I never heard of Downtown before Girl, Interrupted.

Love the song

I thought it was about London

R3 No-one from any part of London has ever used the word "Downtown". It's an Americanism.

Thought it was really about uptown.

That kind of makes sense because in most cities "downtown" means the center of town. NYC, though, is divided differently, maybe because it's an elongated island.

In Flyover 'downtown' or 'uptown' always meant the area where the bank, shops, diners- and a few bars- were located.

So, is this the original version, OP?

I'd give that hunk at R8 a sloppy bj

R4 "In the realm of British slang, ‘Downtown’ refers to the urban center where a city’s action and excitement unfold. It embodies the bustling hub of social activities, trendy hotspots, and lively entertainment destinations. British locals often use ‘Downtown’ as an invitation to join in on the thrill and vibrancy that fills their city streets."

R10 That's not true.

R10 false, I've never heard it used here.

This part of the song always seemed like it could be about coming out:

"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."

Emma Bunton's gesturing in her "Downtown" video give a very different meaning to the word...

Tina Cole singing it on my three sons.

Yeah. Bunton gave it a double meaning that song didn’t need.

I thought it was about below 14th Street.

“In the autumn of 1964 (songwriter) Hatch made his first visit to New York City, spending three days there in search of material from music publishers for the artists he was producing. He recalled, "I was staying at a hotel on Central Park and I wandered down to Broadway and to Times Square and, naively, I thought I was downtown. ... I loved the whole atmosphere there and the [music] came to me very, very quickly". He was standing on the corner of 48th Street waiting for the traffic lights to change, looking towards Times Square when "the melody first came to me, just as the neon signs went on."

All Dataloungers are required to learn the dance break before Labor Day

I hate the opening. When you're alone and life is making you lonely.

Try: When you've a mole and boys are calling you homely...

R19 - Petula never seemed to dance much. Exhibit 2.

I thought it was about Downton Abbey.

The director of the OP clip must have told her For God's Sake don't turn to the right or we'll see your mole.

Downtown used to be the center of New York from it's formation through the early 20th century r6.

However with Grand Central and Penn Station opening up and a migration uptown, a second downtown grew and eclipsed downtown that we call Midtown. And now Midtown of course is way more important than NY's original downtown.

It really is one of those songs you instantly love. I remember hearing it as a kid on oldie's radio (I assume) and that hooky chorus just hit me.

I generally hate silly pop songs from that era. I generally hate silly pop songs from any era! But not Downtown.

Even George and Jerry pondered the meaning of Downtown

I knew the MM lookalike at 1:12 in the video at R14's link. We all expected her part to be longer than a blink-and-you-miss the way she went on and on and on about filming.

It should have been titled "High Street", yes?

[quote]All Dataloungers are required to learn the dance break before Labor Day

I've known that dance break since I was 12.

I used to think "Don't Sleep in the Subway" was about underground trains, but it's really about underground pedestrian passageways.

R19 Michael Bennett is the guy who loses his hat at 1:33

The hat stays on the floor until Pet moves closer to the camera and puts it out of view.

Gee R33, thanks for letting us know!

Setting aside the composer’s story, in Manhattan it can mean either of two things: 1. Anything south of where you are at the moment (if you’re in Inwood, then Harlem is further downtown); or 2. The historical view, being anything below 23rd street or 14th street depending on how old you are.

Going back to the idea of the lyrics alluding to coming out, I now want to sing "Downtown" in a medley with "YMCA."

R36. Here’s the gay version of Downtown

And the German version

What a stupid song. The shrieking at the end is the worst.

R39 = my grandmother in 1965

Petula's Italian version: Ciao Ciao

My parents had a bunch of Petula Clark records and I loved Downtown, but even more I loved her version of You Belong to Me, Jumble Sale, and my absolute favorite was her cover of Ya Ya Twist.

I felt very sophisticated at 5 years old listening to a song in FRENCH

Another version- by the B-52's

I like this one.

I didn't know Petula was such a polyglot!

Pet live! And they covered her mole with makeup. I have to laugh when she slows down the orchestra at the start.

Early performance of "Downtown" by the B52s.

Though she seems to have fought with her hairdresser just before she comes on in R45.