Downtown (Song)

"Downtown" is a pop song composed by Tony Hatch following a first time visit to New York City. It was his original intention to present it to The Drifters, but when British singer Petula Clark heard the incomplete tune, she proposed that if he wrote lyrics to match the quality of the melody, she would be interested in recording it. Literally thirty minutes before the song was scheduled to be recorded, Hatch was completing the lyrics. Downtown was released in late 1964 and became an international best seller in English, French, Italian, and German versions, topping music charts worldwide and introducing Clark to the American record-buying public. She continued her success in the United States with a string of fifteen consecutive Top 40 hits. Following the events of 9/11, New York City adopted "Downtown" as the theme song for a series of commercials encouraging tourism to lower Manhattan. The song has been used by other metropolitan areas - including Chicago, Indianapolis, and even Singapore - for promotional purposes, as well.

International Chart Positions

  • United States (1)
  • Germany (1)
  • Canada (1)
  • Rhodesia (1)
  • Italy (1) (Italian version "Ciao Ciao")
  • South Africa (1)
  • United Kingdom (2)
  • Holland (3)
  • India (3)
  • Australia (4)
  • France (6) (French version "Dans Le Temps")
  • Belgium (11 in English, 18 in French)

Awards

  • Grammy Award for "Best Rock and Roll Song" of 1964
  • Silver Record (1964) Awarded for 250,000 UK sales
  • Gold Record (1965) Awarded for One Million UK sales
  • Gold Record (1965) Awarded for One Million US sales
  • Cash Box International Gold Award (1965)
  • Radio Caroline Bell Award (UK) (1965)
  • Grammy Hall of Fame (2003)

External link

 

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