The Meaning Behind The Song: Going Down to Liverpool by Bangles
Going Down to Liverpool is a song by the American all-women band, Bangles. It was written by Kimberley Rew, a guitarist and songwriter who was also a member of the band Katrina and the Waves. Going Down to Liverpool was released in 1984, and it quickly became one of Bangles’ most popular songs. The song is a story of a girl who travels to Liverpool to meet a boy who she’s been talking to on the phone.
Going Down to Liverpool captures the band’s unique combination of jangly guitars and catchy melodies. However, the song is more than just a cheerful pop song; it has a deeper meaning that’s inspired by the music scene in the UK. In this article, we’ll delve into the meaning behind Going Down to Liverpool.
The Inspiration Behind the Song
Kimberley Rew, the songwriter behind Going Down to Liverpool, was inspired to write the song after traveling to Liverpool to play a gig with Katrina and the Waves. In a 2016 interview, Rew said that Liverpool was “buzzing with energy” at the time, and he was inspired by the city’s creative atmosphere. Rew also revealed that the song was inspired by a real-life experience – a girl who he knew traveled all the way from California to Liverpool to meet a boy she had only talked to on the phone.
The Lyrics of the Song
Going Down to Liverpool tells the story of a girl who travels to Liverpool to meet a boy who she’s been talking to on the phone. The lyrics describe the excitement and anticipation of the girl as she travels to Liverpool. Upon her arrival, she meets the boy, and they fall in love as they explore the city together.
The song’s chorus goes:
“Going down to Liverpool to do nothing at all,
Going down to Liverpool to do nothing at all,
Going down to Liverpool to do nothing at all,
And you know, something’s coming,
Something’s coming, something.”
The lyrics suggest that the girl is not just going to Liverpool to meet the boy; she is also going to experience the vibrancy of the music scene in the city.
The Music Video
The music video for Going Down to Liverpool is a classic of the 80s era. It was directed by Tamar Simon Hoffs, the mother of Bangles’ lead singer, Susanna Hoffs. The video features the band performing the song on a rooftop, intercut with scenes of a girl traveling to Liverpool and falling in love with a boy.
The video also features a cameo appearance from a young Leonard Nimoy. In the video, Nimoy plays a chauffeur who drives the girl to Liverpool. Nimoy was a longtime friend of Tamar Simon Hoffs, and his appearance in the video was a playful nod to his iconic role as Spock in the Star Trek series.
The Legacy of the Song
Going Down to Liverpool has become one of Bangles’ most enduring songs. The song has been covered by numerous musicians over the years, including Katrina and the Waves, The Goo Goo Dolls, and Arctic Monkeys. In 2004, Bangles reunited to record a new version of the song, which featured guest vocals from Elvis Costello.
The song’s catchy melody and upbeat lyrics have made it a crowd-pleaser at Bangles’ live shows. Going Down to Liverpool remains a beloved classic of the 80s music scene and continues to inspire new generations of music fans.
FAQs:
1. What inspired Kimberley Rew to write Going Down to Liverpool?
Kimberley Rew was inspired to write Going Down to Liverpool after traveling to the city with his band, Katrina and the Waves. He was inspired by the creative energy of the music scene in Liverpool and by a real-life story of a girl who traveled from California to Liverpool to meet a boy she had only talked to on the phone.
2. Who directed the music video for Going Down to Liverpool?
The music video for Going Down to Liverpool was directed by Tamar Simon Hoffs, the mother of Bangles’ lead singer, Susanna Hoffs.
3. Who has covered Going Down to Liverpool?
Going Down to Liverpool has been covered by many musicians over the years, including Katrina and the Waves, The Goo Goo Dolls, and Arctic Monkeys.
4. When was Going Down to Liverpool released?
Going Down to Liverpool was released in 1984.
5. What is the meaning behind the lyrics “Going down to Liverpool to do nothing at all”?
The lyrics suggest that the girl in the song is not just going to Liverpool to meet the boy; she is also going to experience the vibrancy of the music scene in the city.
6. Did Bangles ever record a new version of Going Down to Liverpool?
Yes, in 2004, Bangles reunited to record a new version of Going Down to Liverpool, which featured guest vocals from Elvis Costello.
7. How has Going Down to Liverpool influenced music?
Going Down to Liverpool has become a beloved classic of the 80s music scene and has inspired new generations of musicians who admire the song’s catchy melody and upbeat lyrics.
8. What role does Liverpool play in the song?
Liverpool is the setting for the song’s story of a girl who travels to the city to meet a boy she’s been talking to on the phone. Liverpool is also the inspiration for the song’s lively and vibrant melody.
9. What is the significance of Leonard Nimoy’s appearance in the music video?
Leonard Nimoy, who plays a chauffeur in the music video, was a longtime friend of the director, Tamar Simon Hoffs. His appearance in the video was a playful nod to his iconic role as Spock in the Star Trek series.
10. What is the legacy of Going Down to Liverpool?
Going Down to Liverpool remains one of Bangles’ most enduring songs. The song has been covered by numerous musicians and is a crowd-pleaser at live shows.
11. What genre of music is Going Down to Liverpool?
Going Down to Liverpool is a pop song that combines jangly guitars and catchy melodies.
12. What other songs are Bangles known for?
Bangles are also known for their hit songs “Manic Monday,” “Walk Like an Egyptian,” and “Eternal Flame.”
