Smalltown Boy

Bronski Beat

About Smalltown Boy

"Smalltown Boy" is a song by the British synth-pop group Bronski Beat. It was released in 1984 and appeared on the band's debut album The Age of Consent, released in December 1984. The song is a popular gay anthem and was a big commercial success, reaching number 3 in the band's native UK. It was also a number one hit in the Netherlands and Belgium, and hit the top 10 in Australia, Canada, France, Ireland, Italy and Switzerland. The track reached number 48 in the US pop chart and was a number one US dance hit. The song was released again in December 2013 after featuring in a Christmas advertising campaign for Boots UK. Smalltown Boy was also re-recorded by Jimmy Somerville and released as Smalltown Boy Reprise (2014) for the 30th anniversary of its initial release. 


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To your soul
To your soul
Cry
Cry
Cry

You leave in the morning with everything you own in a little black case
Alone on a platform, the wind and the rain on a sad and lonely face

Mother will never understand why you had to leave
But the answers you seek will never be found at home
The love that you need will never be found at home

Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away
Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away

Pushed around and kicked around, always a lonely boy
You were the one that they'd talk about around town as they put you down

And as hard as they would try they'd hurt to make you cry
But you never cried to them, just to your soul
No, you never cried to them, just to your soul

Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away (crying to your soul)
Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away (crying to your soul)
Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away (crying to your soul)
Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away

Cry, boy, cry
Cry, boy, cry
Cry, boy, cry, boy, cry
Cry, boy, cry, boy, cry

Cry, boy, cry, boy, cry
Cry, boy, cry, boy, cry
Cry, boy, cry, boy, cry
Cry, boy, cry, boy, cry

You leave in the morning with everything you own in a little black case
Alone on a platform, the wind and the rain on a sad and lonely face

Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away
Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away
Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away
Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away

Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away
Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com


Bronski Beat

Bronski Beat were a popular British synthpop trio who achieved success in the mid 1980s, particularly with the 1984 chart hit "Smalltown Boy". All members of the group were openly gay and their songs reflected this, often containing political commentary on gay-related issues. At the height of their popularity the band consisted of singer Jimmy Somerville backed by Steve Bronski and Larry Steinbachek, both of whom played keyboards and percussion. Somerville went on to have success as lead singer of The Communards and as a solo artist. more »

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Written by: James William Somerville, Larry Steinbacheck, Steve Bronski

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song Analysis
"Smalltown Boy" is a song that tells the story about a young man fleeing his home town due to societal and familial rejection of his homosexuality. The storyline was considered truly groundbreaking at the time, utilizing pop music to portray the struggles of a gay man.
Band Composition
"Smalltown Boy" was created by the British synth-pop band Bronski Beat. The band's members, Steve Bronski, Larry Steinbachek, and Jimmy Somerville, were all openly gay and their music often touched upon related issues.
Chart Performance
The song was an international hit and was the highest charting song by Bronski Beat, reaching number 3 in the UK Singles Chart in December 1984.
Music Video
The music video of "Smalltown Boy" directed by Bernard Rose, further illustrated the song's theme about homophobia. It featured lead singer Jimmy Somerville as the boy who runs away from his family to find a better life in the city.
Album
"Smalltown Boy" was released in 1984 as part of Bronski Beat’s debut album, “The Age of Consent.” The album title pointed towards socio-legal issues faced by the gay community.
Later Renditions
The song has been covered by numerous artists, including Paradise Lost, Jimmy Somerville himself for his 1990 solo album "Read My Lips", and Ortiga. It has also been sampled heavily in the dance genre.
Cultural Impact
"Smalltown Boy" has become an anthem in the gay community. Its candid and open exploration of the homosexual experience broke new ground in mainstream pop music.
Awards
In 2014, for its 30th anniversary, the song was awarded the Classic Song award on the occasion of the Q Awards.
Song Duration
The original album version of the song is over nine minutes long, unusual for a pop song of that era. The radio edit, cut down to just under five minutes, is more commonly heard.
Justified Melody Interpretation
The pacing of the melody and repetitiveness of the chorus is often interpreted as a replication of the endless cycle of loneliness and rejection gay men faced during the 1980s.

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