from the 12” single, Epic Records, 1985Man, this one sure transports me backwards fast, my mind riding aloft on those blithe and airy synthlines, retiring to the world I dwelled in when this single was released and could be heard playing all over the radio & MTV; it always intrigued me, even more so after watching the video and laying eyes on singer Aimee Mann, who looked like a fierce punk rocker yet sang in such a delicate, breathy voice. I must confess, however, that I perpetually sang the wrong lyrics until being duly corrected: where the actual chorus is, “…hush hush, keep it down now, voices carry…” I was always singing, “…oh child, keep it downtown, this is scary…” Not even close!! So, obviously, it wasn’t the words that attracted me to this song, but the general ambiance the band created here still feels fresh and intoxicating over twenty years later; not surprisingly, Ms. Mann has gone on to become a much-loved and critically acclaimed solo artist.
