Downtown Venus

"Downtown Venus" is the first single released from American hip hop-R&B act P.M. Dawn's third studio album, Jesus Wept. The second track on the album,[2] the song was written by the duo's lead vocalist, Prince Be (under his real name, Attrell Cordes) and produced by P.M. Dawn. It is built around a sample of "Hush" by Deep Purple, so writer Joe South was given a writing credit.

"Downtown Venus"
Single by P.M. Dawn
from the album Jesus Wept
B-side	"She Dreams Persistent Maybes"
Released	August 1995
Studio	Bliss[1]
Genre	Rock
Length	3:40
Label	Gee Street Island Mercury (Australia)
Songwriter(s)	Joe South Attrell Cordes
Producer(s)	P.M. Dawn
P.M. Dawn singles chronology
"You Got Me Floatin'" (1993) "Downtown Venus" (1995) "Sometimes I Miss You So Much (Dedicated to the Christ-Consciousness)" (1995)
Audio
"Downtown Venus" on YouTube

Released in late August 1995, "Downtown Venus" did not replicate the success of the band's previous singles, peaking at number 48 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 58 in the United Kingdom. Because of its guitar-driven rock sound, the song was serviced to alternative radio stations and managed to reach number 39 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, marking P.M. Dawn's only appearance on the listing.

Composition

"Downtown Venus" is heavily built on a sample of the 1967 song "Hush", written by Joe South, as covered by English rock band Deep Purple in 1968.[3] Billboard magazine editor Paul Verna has described the song as rock song with pop and R&B tones.[4] Larry Flick of the same publication compared the song's vocals to those of John Lennon and noted its "psychedelic" guitar chords.[5]

Release and reception

Before the song was sent to contemporary hit radio (CHR), Gee Street Records and Island Records decided to service the track to alternative radio stations first, as they wanted to demonstrate that P.M. Dawn could stray from their established pop sound; this was done during late August and early September.[6] It became P.M. Dawn's only song to appear on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, on which it peaked at number 39 in September 1995.[7] Following additions to CHR playlists as well as its physical release, the song reached number 48 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 21 on the Billboard Mainstream Top 40 in early October.[8][9] It did not fare well internationally, stalling at number 43 in Canada,[10] number 58 in the United Kingdom,[11] and number 73 in Australia.[12]

Track listings

US 7-inch and cassette single[13][14] A. "Downtown Venus" (album version) – 3:40 B. "She Dreams Persistent Maybes" – 3:35 US CD single[1] "Downtown Venus" (album version) – 3:40 "Downtown Venus" (Kiss My Wife Mix) – 5:12 "She Dreams Persistent Maybes" – 3:35

UK and Australasian CD single[15] "Downtown Venus" (original version) – 3:40 "Downtown Venus" (Kiss My Wife Mix) – 5:12 "Downtown Venus" (I Wanna Be into You Mix) – 5:07 "She Dreams Persistent Maybes" – 3:35

Personnel

Credits are taken from the US CD single liner notes.[1]

• Prince Be – vocals, writer (as Attrell Cordes)
• Cameron Greider – electric and acoustic guitars, bass guitar
• Michael Fossenkemper – mixing
• Joe South – writer of "Hush" sample
• P.M. Dawn – producer

Charts

Chart (1995)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)[12]	73
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[10]	43
UK Singles (OCC)[11]	58
US Billboard Hot 100[8]	48
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[7]	39
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[9]	21

References

1. Downtown Venus (US CD single liner notes). P.M. Dawn. Gee Street Records, Island Records. 1995. 422-854 409-2.CS1 maint: others (link)
2. "P.M. Dawn – Jesus Wept". AllMusic. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
3. Wilkening, Matthew (October 3, 2015). "20 Years Ago: P.M. Dawn Release Their Wrongly Ignored Masterpiece, 'Jesus Wept'". The Boombox. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
4. Verna, Paul (October 21, 1995). "Reviews & Previews – Albums" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 107 no. 42. p. 79. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
5. Flick, Larry, ed. (September 9, 1995). "Reviews & Previews – Singles" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 107 no. 36. p. 112. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
6. Sprague, David (August 26, 1995). "Gee Street Has Alternative Route for 3rd PM Dawn Set" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 107 no. 34. p. 14. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
7. "P.M. Dawn Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
8. "P.M. Dawn Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
9. "P.M. Dawn Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
10. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2801." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
11. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
12. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
13. Downtown Venus (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). P.M. Dawn. Gee Street Records, Island Records. 1995. 422-854 408-7.CS1 maint: others (link)
14. Downtown Venus (US cassette single sleeve). P.M. Dawn. Gee Street Records, Island Records. 1995. 422-854 408-4.CS1 maint: others (link)
15. Downtown Venus (UK & Australasian CD single liner notes). P.M. Dawn. Gee Street Records, Island Records, Mercury Records. 1995. GESCD 63, 854 417-2.CS1 maint: others (link)