It feels like everyone is talking about the Blue Nile and their 1989 song “The Downtown Lights,” possibly thanks to that Taylor Swift shout-out. As it turns out, I’ve been collecting cover versions of this song for several years, and so it felt like the right time to do one big mega-mix of “Downtown Lights” covers.
The original song starts us off, and then we roll into a series of covers of greater or lesser fidelity. I tried to use cover versions that stayed in the same key, and mostly succeeded, with just one exception, the very last version that fades out the mix. I hope you’ll find something in the mix you like, even if it’s just tranquility… or catharsis.
Versions of “The Downtown Lights” in this mix are by:
- The Blue Nile (the original)
- Annie Lennox
- Pure Bathing Culture with Ben Gibbard
- Louise Burns
- Collapsing Scenery
- Rob Noakes
- Kathy Kosins
- Full Dark
- Kevin Mackenzie & Steve Hamilton
- Scala & Kolacny Brothers
We have taken control as to bring you a special show…