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Greg Brown — Downtown
Album: 44 & 66
Avg rating:
6.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 360









Released: 1980
Length: 4:23
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Well, yes, I could stay home, read a book or two,
Try to get a little bit better at some of these bad things I do.
But the night it is young; so am I for a while,
So I put on my hat and coat and pants and my boots and smile.
And I'm a gonna go

[Chorus:]
Downtown, downtown tonight,
I'm a gonna go all around the town, check out all the sights,
I will be back in the mornin', feelin' bad or good,
Well, I do what I want, and I don't do what I should.

Well, some people tell me that they love the mountains best,
Far as I can see it's just one big wilderness.
I've seen squirrels writin' tickets, dolphins drivin' cars,
Blowfish blowin' tubas, grizzly bears in the bars.
And I'm a gonna go

[Chorus]

Well now if you've ever checked it out, you know just what I mean,
There's always a few surprises in that same old scene.
You might meet some fella who can really blow the horn,
Make you glad for a change you done got born.
Don't ya wanna go

[Chorus]

Yes, I might get lucky, run into my friend, Jane,
Walk to her apartment in the shiny city rain.
Put on a little record; I get so long and tall,
I wish I was the wallpaper; Jane could be the wall.
And I'm a gonna go

[Chorus]

Yeah and when those lights come up, so soon, so soon,
We might sit and play some music in that trashed-out livin' room.
Keep playin' that music 'til the dawn's early light,
Laugh like no one's business,
Man ain't that the life.
And I'm a gonna go

[Chorus]

Have you ever known the magic hour just before the dawn?
When the mornin' is still sleeping, but the night is not yet gone.
And you're walkin' home from some little joint with someone you love,
With the moon and stars and the bells and birds all ringin' up above.
Don't ya wanna go

[Chorus]
Comments (71)add comment
Whew... nice PSD hit.   Any Greg Brown is far better than "Emancipator — When I Go"
Posted 10 years ago by justin_cook    [ Reply ]
jadewahoo wrote:
It has been a full month since this song was played. C'mon Bill... up its rotation!
 
it's been a year now, hmmm probably sucks huh?

Posted 14 years ago by Huey    [ Reply ]
{#Cowboy}not bad

Posted 16 years ago by spiritual76    [ Reply ]
This is really horrid.
Posted 16 years ago by Excelsior    [ Reply ]
This guy sounds nothing like Bob Dylan!!!{#Roflol}
Posted 16 years ago by parrothead    [ Reply ]
I like!!
Posted 16 years ago by honeygirl    [ Reply ]
Cool song.
Posted 16 years ago by ekeyte    [ Reply ]
He was just here in town last night. I'm sad that I missed him.
Posted 16 years ago by BluEyes    [ Reply ]
This reminds me of the now defunct Edmonton Alberta, Canada band who called themselves "The George Bushes" I think their site is still up if you google them
Posted 16 years ago by grusso    [ Reply ]
horstman wrote:
What Bob Dylan might sound like if he could sing.
That's just plain wrong. But hysterical.
Posted 16 years ago by robco1    [ Reply ]
Sounds like he swallowed Bob Dylan...anyone have a stomach pump handy?
Posted 16 years ago by a_genuine_find    [ Reply ]
GREAT SONGWRITING!
Posted 17 years ago by Krow_Pie    [ Reply ]
Finger-pickin' good.
Posted 17 years ago by doctec    [ Reply ]
great song; swingy and cheeky. Greg Brown is a wordsmith; thank god for the Edmonton Folk Music Festival
Posted 17 years ago by canadapaul    [ Reply ]
supdawgs wrote:
And I can mooch fat donkeys
Googled it. And first entry was this comment list for this song. Shit, I think I broke the space time continuum.
Posted 17 years ago by Dragonfly_Launch    [ Reply ]
prickelpit96 wrote:
"aicmfd" ?? I've no idea...
And I can mooch fat donkeys
Posted 17 years ago by supdawgs    [ Reply ]
lawman wrote:
You are Bob Dylan of Blood on the Tracks, aicmfd 8 anyway!
"aicmfd" ?? I've no idea...
Posted 17 years ago by prickelpit96    [ Reply ]
Posted 17 years ago by dharmanavy    [ Reply ]
A true toe tapper and what a great hook-"I do what I want and a don't do what I should"
Posted 17 years ago by YA_MAN    [ Reply ]
You are Bob Dylan of Blood on the Tracks, aicmfd 8 anyway!
Posted 17 years ago by lawman    [ Reply ]
jadewahoo wrote:
It has been a full month since this song was played. C'mon Bill... up its rotation!
Now it gets played too often I think. Or maybe I'm starting to hear it on regular radio...
Posted 17 years ago by infinity    [ Reply ]
Luv'n this little diddy! ...purchaced it from itunes and include it on my ipod when I'm at the gym ...fun and upbeat! Not to mention the goodly times I've had ...doing what I want and not what I should ...distant memories now but enuf to bring a smile
Posted 17 years ago by go_ski_mully    [ Reply ]
jadewahoo wrote:
I like this guy's voice. He can really play it as an instrument.
the instruments are pretty good too.
Posted 17 years ago by Wizzuvvoz    [ Reply ]
It has been a full month since this song was played. C'mon Bill... up its rotation!
Posted 17 years ago by jadewahoo    [ Reply ]
I like this guy's voice. He can really play it as an instrument.
Posted 17 years ago by jadewahoo    [ Reply ]
from a 7 to an 8 growing on me. Thanks.
Posted 17 years ago by Al_Koholic    [ Reply ]
"I do what I want, but I don't do as I should". Just what I was like 20 years ago, and now it's precisely the other way around :sniff:
Posted 17 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
What Bob Dylan might sound like if he could sing.
Posted 18 years ago by horstman    [ Reply ]
I've seen him live several times and he's an audience pleaser, but not nearly so appealing in the studio.
Posted 18 years ago by Hinkamp    [ Reply ]
Really not my thing.
Posted 18 years ago by davin    [ Reply ]
Honorable Mention in Most Facial Hair Displayed on Album Cover, 2006
Posted 18 years ago by physicsgenius    [ Reply ]
Bob Dylan rules.
Posted 18 years ago by Odyzzeuz    [ Reply ]
never heard of this guy. pretty good stuff
Posted 18 years ago by ndfan75    [ Reply ]
Very Very cool! OScar
Posted 18 years ago by oscar_driver    [ Reply ]
I like it, but I did think it was Dylan. No doubt there's an influence there.
Posted 18 years ago by Amazon    [ Reply ]
mgoldman wrote:
Her name is Prudence Johnson. She has a few albums out on her own. See: (click here)
She really makes this song. Very nice!
Posted 18 years ago by raven121x    [ Reply ]
I really like this... perky & flirty...
Posted 18 years ago by honeygirl    [ Reply ]
Her name is Prudence Johnson. She has a few albums out on her own. See: (click here) maplebed wrote:
Anybody know who the woman doing backup is?
Posted 18 years ago by mgoldman    [ Reply ]
This is great stuff! More more more!
Posted 18 years ago by jadewahoo    [ Reply ]
Anybody know who the woman doing backup is?
Posted 18 years ago by maplebed    [ Reply ]
Please play anything by Greg Brown. I love him.
Posted 18 years ago by rowdydaisy    [ Reply ]
Led Zepp followed by Greg Brown...ONLY on RP
Posted 18 years ago by xkolibuul    [ Reply ]
Used to hear him live all the time in Iowa City, IA when I was there for college. Great artist. Glad he's getting more exposure now.
Posted 19 years ago by Bocephus    [ Reply ]
I've got friends who worship this guy. FIrst time I've heard him. I love it! love the klezmer-y clarinet. play more of him, please!
Posted 19 years ago by mizgeee    [ Reply ]
First time I've ever heard Greg Brown. What a great song! I want to hear more.
Posted 19 years ago by SabreDog    [ Reply ]
More Greg Brown on RP! MORE!
Posted 19 years ago by bostonbeerguy    [ Reply ]
I really liked it, never heard it before, but I was wondering WHY I'd never heard this Dylan track before and mostly was wondering who was doing the FEMALE vocals with Dylan. That's the only reason I checked the playlist! Boy, is my face red... :headshake:
Posted 19 years ago by radiojunkie    [ Reply ]
trancefussion wrote:
As far as I am concerned Greg Brown has his very own style, and it ROCKS!
i appreciate him more now that i've heard more of him. this song still sounds to me like something off "desire" or "blood on the tracks," tho...
Posted 19 years ago by bluedot    [ Reply ]
bluedot wrote:
Why not just listen to REAL Dylan? . What a blatant ripoff! . This dude needs to get his OWN style! . When he does, he'll ROCK! .
As far as I am concerned Greg Brown has his very own style, and it ROCKS!
Posted 19 years ago by trancefussion    [ Reply ]
perfect! A 6.8 rating is a laughable description of this song, really makes me wonder about the tastes at RP.
Posted 19 years ago by trancefussion    [ Reply ]
Posted 20 years ago by BluEyes    [ Reply ]
This is excellent - let's hear it more often! :nodhead:
Posted 20 years ago by laozilover    [ Reply ]
The more greg brown the better
Posted 20 years ago by swiftsam    [ Reply ]
"...forget all your troubles, ...forget all your cares, and go..."
Posted 20 years ago by trekhead    [ Reply ]
RP never ceases to amaze me. Greg Brown! Downtown!! I haven't heard this version before. Thanks for playing :)
Posted 20 years ago by the_circe    [ Reply ]
Dotman wrote:
About as close to dylan as you can get Dot
Correct.
Posted 20 years ago by MrBoyo    [ Reply ]
xkolibuul wrote:
Dude, just how much GB have you heard?! Or should I say, how little? You are the proud (apparently) owner of the least informed statement I have ever seen on RP.
Well said. GB & BD are two distinctly different artists. Haven't heard this tune yet, maybe it confused the guy (or maybe he's had a severe head injury?) My fave Greg: the Dream Cafe CD. Funny, sad, bitter, happy, and the song "sleeper" has one of my fave lines ever: "I will take you with my children through the clover to the creek when orion's gone a-hunting through the fields our wishes seek and we all will love each other like sugar in our tea... sleeper come, and go with me" For a single dad with three kiddos, that give me hope!
Posted 20 years ago by mc    [ Reply ]
bluedot wrote:
Why not just listen to REAL Dylan? . What a blatant ripoff! . This dude needs to get his OWN style! . When he does, he'll ROCK! .
Dude, just how much GB have you heard?! Or should I say, how little? You are the proud (apparently) owner of the least informed statement I have ever seen on RP.
Posted 20 years ago by xkolibuul    [ Reply ]
Well, here is yet another artist I had never even heard of before RP. I've heard several bits by him now, and so far like everything I've heard. Brother Bill, you're giving me a sort of second musical education in my middle years; thanks again.
Posted 20 years ago by Red_Dragon    [ Reply ]
Having heard a variety of Greg Brown's songs, it never seemed to me that he was trying to copy Bob Dylan's style. Having read these comments, I can now hear similarities in their voices; but I still think Greg Brown is distinctive. Excellent singer/songwriter. Also check out his daughter: Pieta Brown (has 2 songs in the RP rotation).
Posted 21 years ago by bburnett    [ Reply ]
Why not just listen to REAL Dylan? . What a blatant ripoff! . This dude needs to get his OWN style! . When he does, he\'ll ROCK! .
Posted 21 years ago by bluedot    [ Reply ]
truly an amazing musician! If you ever have a chance to check him out live, make sure you do.
Posted 21 years ago by trancefussion    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by Platypus: too cool.
I never would have imagined I'd live so long as to see anything from Iowa rate the classification "too cool". I have, and he is.
Posted 21 years ago by AC    [ Reply ]
Not as good as Lull It By, but catchy.
Posted 21 years ago by eval    [ Reply ]
This is why I stay uptown. :roll:
Posted 21 years ago by dignan2    [ Reply ]
too cool.
Posted 21 years ago by Platypus    [ Reply ]
Agreed, Dot. I thought it was the D-man sounding unusually coherent until I checked the playlist. Nice tune.
Posted 22 years ago by dadofsammy    [ Reply ]
About as close to dylan as you can get without getting burned. watch your fingers. Dot
Posted 22 years ago by Dotman    [ Reply ]
Great harmonica. I really like this tune.
Posted 22 years ago by Leslie    [ Reply ]