The first song I heard from this band was She’s The One that I saw in the movie Matchmaker. I liked the song more than I did the movie. The second song I heard from them was Ship Of Fools. Lately, I’ve been diving into the albums and more songs than those two. Their album Goodbye Jumbo is a pop masterpiece. When I thought of them at first, it was for their Beatles-type melodies and phrasing, but they also throw in the Rolling Stones.
Before World Party took form, Wallinger had already built up a behind-the-scenes resume worth bragging about. Born in Prestatyn, Wales, he grew up listening to everything from soul and psychedelia to classical and punk. He was a true musical sponge. His big break came in the early ‘80s when he became the musical director for The Rocky Horror Show play, which led to studio work and eventually landed him in The Waterboys for their This Is the Sea era.
Right out of the gate with this song, you’re greeted with that slinky, rubbery guitar riff that instantly calls to my mind Sympathy for the Devil, and that’s no accident. Wallinger even throws in some “woo-woos” in the chorus.
By now, he’d fully embraced his role as DIY guy, writing, producing, and playing virtually everything himself. Goodbye Jumbo was a masterful example of building an album. Every song is stitched together from analog and digital, but nothing hits quite like Way Down Now, which kicks the album off like a cool joyride through pop
He was armed with a drum machine, some trusty analog gear, and a pile of vintage records for inspiration. This album, to me, is a cross between Britpop and a bar-band.
The song peaked at #1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Charts, #5 on the Alternative Charts, #53 in Canada, and #66 in the UK in 1990. Goodbye Jumbo peaked at #36 in the UK, #26 in Canada, and #73 in the Billboard Album Charts.
Way Down Now
Inside my TV, INever stop to wonder whyI’m way down nowI’m way down now
Some faceless get on the screenThe most honest man I’ve ever seenI’m way down nowI’m way down now
Won’t you show meSomething true today?C’mon and show meAnything but this
She took us by the handHell was the promised landI’m way down nowI’m way down now
I’m lying by the roadBecause she cut off all my clothesI’m way down nowI’m way down now
Won’t you show meSomething true today?C’mon and show meAnything but this
Inside my future lifeWhat I see just makes me cryI’m way down nowI’m way down now
The clocks will all run backwardsAll the sheep will have two headsAnd Thursday night and FridayWill be on Tuesday night instead
And all the times will keep on changingAnd the movement will increaseThere’s something about the living, babeThat sends me off my feet
There’s breeding in the sewersAnd the rats are on their wayThey’re clouding up the imagesOf my perfect day
And I know I’m not aloneAnd I know I’m not aloneAnd I know I’m not alone
Anything but thisCan you hear me?
Inside my TV, II never stop to wonder whyI’m way down nowI’m way down now
Then some faceless get comes on my screenThe most honest man I’ve ever seenI’m way down nowI’m way down
Something newSomething trueSomething newSomething trueSomething newSomething newSomething true
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