(He's a) Shape in a Drape

"(He's a) Shape in a Drape" is a song by British singer-songwriter and musician Joe Jackson, which was released in 1988 as a single from the soundtrack album of the American biographical comedy-drama film Tucker: The Man and His Dream. The song was written and produced by Jackson.[2]

"(He's a) Shape in a Drape"
Single by Joe Jackson
from the album Tucker
Released14 November 1988[1]
Length2:59
LabelA&M
Songwriter(s)Joe Jackson
Producer(s)Joe Jackson
Joe Jackson singles chronology
"Is She Really Going Out with Him? (Live)"
(1988)
"(He's a) Shape in a Drape"
(1988)
"Nineteen Forever"
(1989)

Critical reception

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In a review of the single, Paul Massey of the Aberdeen Evening Express described Jackson as "a talented guy" and noted the song returned Jackson to "his Jumpin' Jive era".[3] Andrew Hirst of the Huddersfield Daily Examiner considered it to be "jolly gentle jazz swing fun from one of music's top songsmiths".[4]

In a review of the Tucker soundtrack, Tom Moon of The Philadelphia Inquirer considered "(He's a) Shape in a Drape" to be "the most engaging" of the three tracks to feature vocals.[5] Tomm Carroll, writing for the News-Pilot commented: "With a nod to the commercial, Tucker [features] a couple of vocal pieces compatible with the style of the score, [including] the swing-fest, "(He's a) Shape in a Drape"." Carroll added that the song "smacks of a hit single".[6]

Track listing

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7" and cassette single
  1. "(He's a) Shape in a Drape" - 2:59
  2. "Speedway" - 2:40
7" single (US promo)
  1. "(He's a) Shape in a Drape" - 2:59
  2. "(He's a) Shape in a Drape" - 2:59
CD single
  1. "(He's a) Shape in a Drape" - 2:59
  2. "Soul Kiss" (Live) - 4:51
  3. "Monday Papers" (Live) - 4:58
CD single (US promo)
  1. "(He's a) Shape in a Drape" - 2:59

Personnel

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Production

  • Joe Jackson - producer, arranger
  • David Anderle - album coordinator
  • Seigen Ono - recording and mixing on "Soul Kiss" and "Monday Papers"
  • David Kershenbaum - mixing engineer on "Soul Kiss" and "Monday Papers"
  • Kevin Smith - remix engineer on "Soul Kiss" and "Monday Papers"

Charts

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Chart (1988) Peak
position
Australia Kent Music Report[7] 87
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[8] 30
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[9] 73
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[10] 29
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[11] 35

References

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  1. ^ "New Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 12 November 1988. p. 31. ISSN 0265-1548. Retrieved 16 September 2024 – via World Radio History.
  2. ^ "Tucker [Original Soundtrack] - Joe Jackson | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 2020-08-09.
  3. ^ Massey, Paul (1 December 1988). "Citysound: Singles". Aberdeen Evening Express. p. 16.
  4. ^ Hirst, Andrew (10 December 1988). "Reviews: Singles". Huddersfield Daily Examiner. p. 14.
  5. ^ Moon, Tom (13 August 1988). "Flippant style, serious sound of Michelle Shocked". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 12-L.
  6. ^ Carroll, Tomm (12 August 1988). "Joe Jackson scores again with 'Tucker' sound track". The News-Pilot. p. 12.
  7. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 151. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  8. ^ "Joe Jackson – (He's a) Shape in a Drape" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  9. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 5275." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  10. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Joe Jackson" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  11. ^ "Joe Jackson – (He's a) Shape in a Drape" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 9 August 2020.