Katrina And The Waves - Going Down To Liverpool Lyrics

I love the rawness of this version --but I also have to give props to the Bangles for recognizing the potential in this song. They heard it and realized that with a little tweak or two it could be a hit, and as usual, their pop sense was spot on.

Recently the Bangles version has been on Sirius to some degree. So, I looked it up and really like the long version by Katrina and the Waves much better; remastered it would be awesome.

This is so under rated. And who knew that decades after Walking on Sunshine I'd still be coming back for more? This one is fabulous, add Red Wine & Whiskey, Do You Want Crying? Damn fine.

Like too many people, I heard the Bangles version first, but key elements of their cover, particularly the guitar intro and solo, were copped and lifted straight off of Katrina and the Waves' brilliant original. Share the link!

I should so much cool stuff about Liverpool. I 'm asleep here so I apologize for my poor framer.

Ps I also like the Katrina and the Waves version of Going Down to Liverpool. I heard so many stuff about Liverpool you can't go wrong writing a song about that place.

Leonard Nimoy and the Bangles. That's classic nostalgia.

I'm a fan of both bands, Bangles and Katrina and the Waves (also like what I've been able to track down from the Soft Boys and Kimberly Rew's solo work), but the Katrina and the Waves version is much better. Rew's guitar work can't be beat here, and Alex Cooper's drumming is much more interesting - I'm not a musician myself just a music fan, so I'm not sure what the right term is, but he's got an altered rhythm, a nifty non-standard beat going on that the Bangles version misses entirely. But, most of all, much as I usually like the Bangles' vocal harmonies, their version has all the emotion of "hey it's summer let's have a beach day!" I get the feeling they have no idea what a UB40 is and are thinking of someone carrying a boom box playing a tape of the band UB40 while they're singing those lines. They completely miss the bitter biting satire of these lyrics, while Katrina sings this song with that bite, that undertone of depression and anger and a bit of hopelessness that these lyrics reflect. Whether she knew already or her Brit bandmates explained it to her before hitting the studio, Katrina clearly understands what this song's about and gets it to the audience. To me, that would make this version of the song the one to go with even without the kickass playing that most of the Bangles can't quite pull off (Vicki, Debbi, and Susanna just aren't as good on their instruments as Kim Rew, Alex Cooper, and Katrina Leskanich - although Michael Steele probably was and is good enough to keep up with Vince de la Cruz on bass, but she always was the best instrumentalist in the Bangles from the day she joined to the day she left).

Far better than Bangles cover of Katrina & the Waves original version. Liverpool has transformed into a vibrant dynamic city. Home to many great bands. Actually preferred 'Going down to Liverpool' slightly more than A side; their excellent feel good hit 'Walking on Sunshine'.

What can you say about Kimberly Rew, one of the great, unsung guitarist in British rock. NO ONE sounded like him-just amazing...

this weekend in vienna at donauinsel fest - so crazy about it :D

Excellent. 80s mega flashback.

They did a couple great albums of irresistible power pop in the 80’s-criminally underrated band, with a very distinctive guitarist in Kimberly Rew. Their record label didn’t give them the push they needed, and WHY were they not on radio-except for “Walkin’ on Sunshine”?

This is the rerecorded version - Kimberly sang on the original.

A very talented band to be branded a 'one hit wonder'

To me, the K&TW rendition is way better than that of the Bangles'.

Liverpool....? Plenty to do there in the 80's. Probe, Eric's etc!!!!!

Just realized that this is sung in a different key to the Bangles rendition of this and a tad slower too. It works unlike many transpositions in music. Says me who somehow ended up playing a famous tune by Boccherini on the cello a fifth down from how it should have been played. Cello teacher's face was a PICTURE!!!

The video they eventually make in eternity should have Tom Baker in it driving them in a cab.

OMG that would be absolutely b-y AMAZING :o) :o)

Kimberley Rew

Both versions are great but … Bangles.  Sorry Katrina.S.x.

The whole band synchronizes with the "Ticket to Ride" style drum pattern. The drummer here is a tad more talented than Debbie Peterson - no offense! Michael Steele was a great vocalist and songwriter.

I did literally nothing

Yap, love Bangles but original version by the K&TW seems so much better.

DAMN this awesome!

I agree COMPLETELY- THIS VERSION is better- no doubt..spot on with that observation.

Much better lead vocals than Bangles' version

Love the choppy, screaming guitar at the end - raw but beautiful.

I didn't know the Bangles was a cover. I normally like the first version I hear best and the 2nd version not at all. I call it equal this time.

Way better than the bangle version

I had no idea the Bangles sang this. I had this album when it first came out and listened to it incessantly. I don't think there is any comparison. The Bangles' (who I love) version sounds like a coma. The singing on this is 5000000000000 times better. But then again Susanna didn't sing it for the Bangles.

as the original it always tends to be more emotive - however the Bangles harmonies outdo these vocals by a long way!!!!! plus i LUV a drummer singing - especially a girl drummer!!!! do Debbie!!!

Another greatly under rated band. The origional and the best version, Energetic and raw...

BOTH versions are awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, The Bangles' version is the one I heard first and their harmonies are gorgeous. BUT, on listening to THIS one again (for the 1st time in over 30 years), THIS IS THE ONE !!! 'Love Shine A Light', eh ?

Kimberly Rew wrote the song, but The Bangles were known more for it than her group.

This has a more punkish sound than The Bangles version. The Bangles version is more mellow & lush. Ironic how both '80s icons had a different outlook on a song that wasn't a hit for either group.

Katrina and the Waves such an Under rated band.. So much more than "Sunshine".. The Hooks.. the lyrics.. Very similar to the Hooter and Outfield. Soundtrack of my Life..

An absolutely beautiful song!!! Cheers!!! Tyrone Powerchord...

Both are great, the Katrina version has a rawer new wave feel, and The Bangles have given it a poppy Beatlesque makeover. Always interesting when a cover manages to re-invent a song.

In the apples vs apples comparison, this is my favorite.

more rock version than vocal version of Bangles

Probably more meaningful as the video looks like it was shot on location unlike The Bangles who shot theirs featuring the late & great Leonard Nimoy instead! Like both versions of this song especially the line about the UB40! About as 1980s as the YTS / Young Thatcherite Slaves ... A descendant of which I was to join in 1992. (The RTS or Railway Training Scheme!)

Holy hell this is the first time I'm hearing this version. I love this as much as the Bangels cover, but for different reasons. I give the Bangles the edge for their harmonies, but I love the tasty rawness and fine vocals of Katrina....so I say it's a tie.

I remember this was the B side song on the "Walking on Sunshine " single back in the day. It should have been a big hit for Katrina and the Waves and I don't understand why it was never released as a single on its own.

This version rocks!!!!

I didn't know the Bangles version was a cover!

Should've been an A side. Wasted on the back side of Walking On Sunshine.

you're right beat's it by a mile.

Spot on.

Should have been reversed. I love "Going Down to Liverpool," but "Walking on Sunshine" annoys me.

Walking on sunshine was such a crappy song this is amazing

I like both versions, but I think I like this one better.

This is just WAY better than the Bangles version (and I do like the Bangles!) This should have been a MASSIVE hit as should "You want crying" (or more than it was).

"Is that it" should have been their next big hit, it really showcased her vocals.

I knew Katrina & the Waves did it first!

Wow, never knew the Bangles version was a cover. Maybe because I heard it first from them, I like it better.

33Luger The Bangles biggest hits were covers

I only recently learned Katrina wrote it. I was at a retro 80's concert and I heard it from her and was surprised. It's my favorite Bangles song and Katrina and the Waves song now.

this version is way better than the bangles. Debbi from the bangles has a good voice and pretty feet. This version is way better.

sorry, not, but nice singer.

I'm a Bangles fan too but this version is way better. And while they were all good musicians, only Susanna had something special in her voice. The rest were generic.

@Jonathan Wallach Sorry but you're true.

pretty feet ?

No comparison....

Killer guitar work by Mr. Rew, as usual....

Kimberly is a terrific player indeed.

Fuck yeh

getting teary eyed................and that beautiful haunting synthesizer at around 1:27.......................heard that on other early 80's songs...

I kind of like the original original(YouTube the *Shock! Horror!* version)...I like 'em all, great tune.

This versions rocks! But I gotta admit I like the Bangles cover mo bettah brah!!

Robert Rindler u stupid

A great song. I first heard it by the Bangles and like both versions but prefer the harmonies on the Bangles cover. Can't help thinking it has shades of  "Hey Joe" by Jimi Hendrix in the lyrics which could have had some influence on the writer.

I've messaged on the wrong song

+jools Hamilton Sinner!

Hello I've got a theory as they all could play well do you think Davy Jones of Monkees fame is hidden behind Debbie shaking his tambourine ?x

If you ever saw; ' A Hard Days Night," You'd wonder: who wants to go there?

+chasjohn57    That's actually the point of the song. It is surrender to a state of vapid existence rather than any sort of fruitful life.(Liverpool's a dead end dump of a town) It's just one of those songs where the tempo and melody oppose the true mood of the lyrics.  Take note, The Beatles were from there, but none of them moved back after they made it.

I take it that you've never been to Liverpool? It's far from a 'dead end dump of a town' as you so wrongly say.

I like both versions. The original sounds more raw, the Bangles cover has cool deep vocals. Some may say this song promotes idleness, but to me it's such a sunny feel-good song, probably because of the melody and nice vivid guitars.

What! This was about Katrina and her band having a bit of writers block so they came up to the North of England, UK where the music scene was vibrant! UB40 was the unemployment form in the UK at the time (for claiming benefits) and so many people had lost their jobs (but wanted to work). It's nothing to do with promoting idleness! It's about not being able to work and wanting to!

Both versions are legendary. Katrina and the Waves for such a rugged take. And the Bangles featuring Debbi on lead vocals was and still is a treat she was a great singer who made the best of the few chances she got.

Promoting idleness my arse. It's a commentary on British society and the London-centric establishment at the time FFS.

First time, I've heard the original version of this song. While I <3 both versions, I do like this a bit better.

A great performance of a great song...love it

I always wondered who originally recorded this since an L.A. band wouldn't be writing about UB40s in Liverpool. I like their cover, but I like this better. I just watched a recent interview with Katrina, and I had no idea she's American. I'm surprised that her accent sounds completely unchanged despite having spent many years in the UK. She looked and sounded terrific.

An overall better original than the Bangles copy! 

Too bad they were a one hit wonder. They were actually a very talented band with one of the best female voices of the 80's.

Tney won for the UK, actually :)

To many pat benetars for this band to compete with......very good though.

Usa hurricane katrina? And the waves?
. weird

One hit wonder?????? LOL they won eurovision 1997 with one of the biggest marges ever

They also had a top 40 hit with Do You Want Crying and a top twenty with That's The Way.

If was given airplay when it was out it would have been very popular.  Another great 1980s alternative rock song that paid homage to the power pop of the 1960s.

Kimberley Rew, the guitarist, wrote it.  Katrina Leskanich sang it;  this was a couple of years before they hit it big with "Walking on Sunshine".  Always loved Katrina's voice, and she was certainly cute.

3:24 cool looking band they just needed more hits like that THAT WERE HEARD AND GOT AIRPLAY.

this is awesome and a crime I never heard this when it was out only that non-stop pollution from hags like madonna and whitney houston.

no shit.

I like Katrina and the hags too!

This is more coarse than the bangles version but I still like this a lot . Whose version came out ?

I was referring to the video about Katrina and the waves not the bangels I'm made a mistake on the above comment

@Davin Dx It's more punk-ish and raw, closer in time and spirit to the punk movement. The Bangles' version is more polished and "produced" -- not always to everyone's taste! I like both versions.

@bostonseeker I <3 both versions as well. Bit hard for me to pick a fave.

Actually...the song is sung by Katrina...

I find this to be much more melodic and cohesive. Katrina was a stronger and more versatile singer than Debbie Peterson.

prefer Debbie's voice : only her sister has her same deep voice. Thousands women had katrina's voice (remember Pat Benatar)

I like both versions. Seen both bands live and they both did this. Love it either way. Go girls.........

@Michael Hope Me, too, I like both! Both just emote different feelings. The Bangles' is aloof, serenity, just leave me be....this version, also good, is more about angst, rebellion...my perception, anyway.

This is my comment.

I prefer the Bangles' version

i like this original but me thinks BANGLES' an ethereal take no less 

Gosh... was it a cover??!? I didn't know it. I like Bangles but I agree this is a much better version. Thanks for posting

I didn't know the Bangles version was a cover...but I sure do love this :)

Oh yes first time hearing this...i thought it was a bangle song...and i love the bangles...but this is much much better

Wait, the Bangles covered this?  What year?  Why would they cover a great song years before it became a staple?  Ding Dong Girl Band.  This entire album, and yes, it was an lp, was great.  Never heard the Beagles cover of it, nor do I want to.  Suzanna Hoffs or not, shame on you.

what year was this version being heard? the bangles version was heard in 1984. 

@dampen damp Bangles version on All Over The Place (1984). Original by Katrina and the Waves on their EP Shock Horror! (1982).

Vicki Peterson of the Bangles heard it and liked it so much she convinced her bandmates to do a cover, which is the better known version in the US.

Vicki Peterson sang lead on it. I think both versions are great.

No, Debbie Peterson was lead singer, but I agree both versions are good.

The ONLY version.
Underrated band - great vocals.

Underrated? Did you see how much they just got for selling the rights to Walking on Sunshine? Lie 10 million sterling.

And since the band fired Katrina Leskanich in 1999, Katrina won't see a farthing. Seems fair.

that's not the ONLY version, that's the original but I prefer the Bangles one

Got a record player for my birthday, pulled out all the old vinyl and this B side was one of the first on there - such a cool tune and Bangles version is great too - haven't played the A side yet. Enjoy this little known cracking song

The original version sung by Kimberly Rew is tops. 

great heart...the sad lost soul image is so profound.

i prefer this to the bangles for sure

This is a re-recorded version. Here's the original Waves version

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Much better then Bangles version, both vocally as well as instrumentally.....has alot of heart

I agree. But this is how I first heard this song and have always preferred it.

I never knew the Bangles version was a cover. The original English band explains the UB40.

The other group was Fun Boy Three. Terry Hall (singer) co-wrote that song with Jane Wiedlin of The Go-Go's and both bands recorded their own versions of it.

Didn't realise they did this ,much better than the Bangles

I totally agree with you (despite I love The Bangles and their own version too, but released to early and not enough worked I think) but guitar rif, drums and voices are really better on the original :)

Great tune and underrated band, just lost their way - Eurovision song contest - come on!
Bangles will probably be remembered for this but the original is by far the best.

Like the Bangles better, but both are really good.

great song to play in the car when you are in a bad mood

I too think this is way better than the Bangles cover of it. Haven't heard this in years, great stuff.

Both versions rock. Katrina's guitar work was a bit better, but both are gems!

I actually like both versions of this song. Very different tunes, imho..........

You know, this makes me think.of how I bought a New Wave CD set years ago, which contains a track by a male band singing, "Our Lips Are Sealed (can't recall the band's name now)". Their version is much better than the Go-Gos', and now I wonder if the Go-Gos version is a cover of the male-sung version?