This one is driving me nuts

Released probably in the 1970s by an American pianist/singer/songwriter, I thought probably someone like Harry Nilsson (but can't trace it on his site).

It seems to feature occasionally amongst the muzak played in British supermarkets!

The last words of each stanza are something like "I'm just a [downtown?] kinda guy".

Then, for those of you who can understand the key of C major, the following right-hand piano phrase goes like:-

E - E C - A G - F E - D E - E C - A G - F E followed by an octave run of semi-quavers and a repeat of this sequence again before the next stanza.

A year or so ago I heard the song, listened to the words, and found the title on the web and, like the fool I am, forgot to note it down. Now it is driving me nuts. Can anyone help please? Many thanks.

To make it a little easier, you can hear the link phrase by going to this web page http://www.msheppard.com/song.htm

Many thanks to anyone who can help.

Could it be 'Uptown, Uptempo Woman' by Randy Edelman? Not entirely sure, and I haven't taken the time to listen to your link, but here are the lyrics anyway.

Uptown, Uptempo Woman
Randy Edelman

It started out in innocence
The way that most things do
A thousand people crammed in one place
But the only face was you
I grabbed your hand and we raced out
Hardly said a word
I'd only seen you for a minute
But I was round in third

And we traded on our backgrounds
You mentioned I seemed shy
Then you laughed and said,
"I'm an uptown, uptempo woman,
You're a downtown, downbeat guy"

Within a week I'd moved in
At her uptown, Eastside place
We'd make love for hours
On a bed of silk and lace
And she would get up early
And come home late at night
She had important business
But my prospects all seemed slight

In tired arms some evenings
She'd get mad and cry,
"I'm an uptown, uptempo woman,
You're a downtown, downbeat guy"

Well the romance soon was over
And the lust was turning thin
And I soon began to realise
The mess I'd gotten in
But as always happens
When you're caught in such a trap
You get so used to what's around
That you can't find your way back

So I lived with this arrangement
I soon learned to despise,
The uptown, uptempo woman,
And the a downtown, downbeat guy

And then one Saturday in March
I decided I would go
Cause I was going nowhere
And my mind was getting slow
So I opened all the closets
There wasn't much to pack
I felt bad not telling her
That I wasn't coming back

But this day she was early
She looked at me and asked why
I said, "Why? You're an uptown, uptempo woman,
I'm a downtown, downbeat guy"

"You're an uptown, uptempo woman,
I'm a downtown, downbeat guy,
Downtown, downbeat guy"


Hope this helps! I actually have this song on a compilation called 'The Piano and The Song'. Its a great listen in case anyones interested.

Cheers.

Hi Nordberg,

That's the one, I'm sure. Certainly Randy Edelman rings a bell and the words sound as though they fit the tune too. I don't recognise the title, but then so many good songs don't get the publicity they deserve. Glad you like it too - at least I'm not on my own!

Thank you very, very much - if you're ever out in Crete, be sure to email me. I owe you a few drinks! ;-)

Ha ha! Glad to be of help to you. Maybe I'll come to Crete just for those few drinks someday! Lol. Lets wait and see how England do in the World Cup first. Hopefully I'll have a cause to go for a holiday to celebrate! ;o)

All the best. Come On England!!!

Hi again Nordberg,

Just managed to find an MP3 copy of the song on IRC and yes, that's the one! Excellent!!!!

As we have yet to install the satellite dish, I guess we'll be watching a few games down at the local taverna. Just had an email from my son in the UK to say he's taking the week off work in order to watch the footy! Serious stuff!

Enjoy the Cup and thanks again. Who knows, we may yet have cause to celebrate ;-)

Sospiri

Cheers! Glad you have found a copy. Lets hope its a great summer for everyone!!

All the best.

Jon.