"Dumb Waiters" is a song by English rock band the Psychedelic Furs, released as a single in April 1981 by Columbia Records. Written by the band and produced by Steve Lillywhite, it was included on the band's second studio album Talk Talk Talk (1981).
| "Dumb Waiters" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by The Psychedelic Furs | ||||
| from the album Talk Talk Talk | ||||
| Released | April 1981 | |||
| Genre | Post-punk | |||
| Length | 3:35 | |||
| Label | Columbia | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
| |||
| Producer(s) | Steve Lillywhite | |||
| The Psychedelic Furs singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Dumb Waiters" on YouTube | ||||
Release edit
To help promote Talk Talk Talk, the UK single for "Dumb Waiters" was packaged in an embossed plastic sleeve, playable at 33⅓ RPM on a turntable, which contained a track with excerpts from the songs "Into You Like a Train", "I Wanna Sleep with You" and "Pretty in Pink".[1] Lead vocalist Richard Butler opened the track by saying, "This is a Psychedelic Furs commercial. Buy Talk Talk Talk".[1] "Dumb Waiters" was the first Psychedelic Furs single to chart in the UK, peaking at No. 59.[2] It also reached No. 27 on the U.S. National Disco Action Top 80 chart.[3]
Critical reception edit
AllMusic writer Dave Thompson said that the song "captures the band at its most frenzied, a state of mind which subsequent live versions only amplified".[4] AllMusic's Ned Raggett called the song "especially striking. . .with its queasy, slow-paced arrangement that allows both [Duncan] Kilburn's harmonica and [John] Ashton's guitar to go wild".[5]
Cover versions edit
New York City dance-punk band the Rapture recorded a cover version of the song, which was included on the B-side of their 1998 debut single, "The Chair That Squeaks".
Track listing edit
7" vinyl
- "Dumb Waiters" – 3:35
- "Dash" – 3:06
- Playable sleeve contains "A Psychedelic Furs Commercial" – 4:39
Chart performance edit
| Chart (1981) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart[2] | 59 |
| US National Disco Action Top 80[3] | 27 |
References edit
- ^ a b Rosen, Craig (1997-08-09). "Re-discussion". Billboard. 109 (32). Nielsen Business Media, Inc.: 65. ISSN 0006-2510.
- ^ a b "The Official Charts Company - The Psychedelic Furs". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2010-01-31.
- ^ a b "The Psychedelic Furs - Charts & Awards - Billboard Singles". AllMusic (Rovi Corporation). Retrieved 2010-01-31.
- ^ Thompson, Dave. "'Dumb Waiters' - Song Review". AllMusic (Rovi Corporation). Retrieved 2010-01-31.
- ^ Raggett, Ned. "Talk Talk Talk - Overview". AllMusic (Rovi Corporation). Retrieved 2010-01-31.
External links edit
- Dumb Waiters at Discogs (list of releases)
