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It Won't Be Long (Alison Moyet song)
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Wikipedia article
"'It Won't Be Long'" is a song by the British singer-songwriter Alison Moyet, which was released in 1991 as the lead single from her third studio album 'Hoodoo'. It was written by Moyet and Pete Glenister, and produced by Glenister.
A music video was filmed to promote the single, while Moyet also performed the song on 'Wogan'.
Background
Having recording her second studio album 'Raindancing' while living in Los Angeles, Moyet returned to live in England after completing a world tour. Moyet's record company, CBS, wanted her to continue producing pop hits but this left the singer feeling artistically compromised and under pressure to deliver. During the period after returning to England, Moyet began a songwriting partnership with Pete Glenister, who had been Moyet's guitarist for part of the 'Raindancing' tour. Keen to have more artistic freedom, she suggested to CBS that Glenister should produce her. Muff Winwood of the label's A&R division granted Moyet permission to record the album she wanted to, with 'Hoodoo' being released in April 1991.Hoodoo - 2016 deluxe edition CD booklet liner notes
Preceding the album in March was the lead single "It Won't Be Long". Although it gained airplay on radio, "It Won't Be Long" failed to enter the UK Top 40, reaching No. 50. It remained in the Top 100 for four weeks. In the States, it reached No. 29 on the 'Billboard' Modern Rock Tracks Chart. Despite its limited commercial success, the song saw Moyet awarded a Grammy nomination for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance in 1993.
In a 1991 interview with the 'Liverpool Echo', Moyet described "It Won't Be Long" as "basically a song about getting older". She added: "When you're young, you can go into things with an open mind. As you get older and experience all sorts of situations, you pick up all sorts of emotional luggage that you carry with you."Liverpool Echo - Alison grows older gracefully - 20 May 1991 - page 17 On her official website, she has cited the song as one of her favourites from 'Hoodoo'.
Release
"It Won't Be Long" was released by Columbia on 7" vinyl, 12" vinyl, cassette and CD. It was released in the UK and across Europe, as well as Australia. In the States, it was released as a promotional CD single only. The 7" vinyl's B-side, "My Right A.R.M.", was taken from the 'Hoodoo' album. The "A.R.M" in the song's title resembles the initials of Moyet's oldest daughter. A second B-side, "Take of Me", appeared on the 12" vinyl and CD versions of the single. The song was later included as an album track on Moyet's 1994 album 'Essex'.
Critical reception
Upon release, 'Billboard' said: "Why Moyet is not yet a major star in the U.S. remains a mystery especially given modern pop gems like this one from her overlooked 'Hoodoo' set. EMF/Jesus Jones-like hip-hop beats are complemented by jangly guitars, a funk-flavored bass line, and Moyet's incomparable vocals. Radio programmers, please take note."'Billboard' Singles reviews 23 November 1991 page 72 Chesney Hawkes, guest reviewing for 'Smash Hits', commented: "This sounds exactly like a Beatles' tune, doesn't it? I don't think it'll be a hit. I really liked her version of "Love Letters", but this isn't very good at all." Tonia Macari of 'Aberdeen Evening Express' noted: "It sounds like Alison Moyet has spent her last four years polishing up her Dusty impersonations as "It Won't Be Long" lends a lot to the mood of the white-lipsticked Sixties."
In a review of 'Hoodoo', 'Rolling Stone' stated: "... best of all, the pop numbers never pander; whether playing off melodic momentum like "It Won't Be Long" or riding the rhythm as "Footsteps" does, Moyet is irresistible." 'The Greyhound' (Loyola University Maryland) described the song as "Beatlesque pop".The Greyhound - Features: Moyet's bluesy Hoodoo transcends Yaz - Brian Cassidy 30 March 1992 page 6 Tom Demalon of AllMusic stated: "She hasn't lost her knack for breezy, adult pop, evident on the lilting, melodic "Wishing You Were Here" and "It Won't Be Long"." Adrian Janes of 'Penny Black Music' noted that the guitar motif of "It Won't Be Long" evokes The Beatles.
Formats
'7-inch single'
#"It Won't Be Long" - 3:56
#"My Right A.R.M." - 4:45
'12-inch single'
#"It Won't Be Long" - 4:22
#"My Right A.R.M." - 4:45
#"Take of Me" - 4:00
'Cassette single'
#"It Won't Be Long" - 3:56
#"My Right A.R.M." - 4:45
'CD single'
#"It Won't Be Long" - 4:22
#"My Right A.R.M." - 4:45
#"Take of Me" - 4:00
'CD single (European mini-single)'
#"It Won't Be Long" - 3:56
#"My Right A.R.M." - 4:45
'CD single (US promo)'
#"It Won't Be Long" (Edit) - 3:43
#"It Won't Be Long" (Album Version) - 4:14
Personnel
*Alison Moyet lead vocals, backing vocals, backing vocal arrangement
*Pete Glenister guitar on "It Won't Be Long" and "My Right A.R.M."
*Bob Andrews keyboards on "It Won't Be Long"
*John McKenzie bass on "It Won't Be Long"
*Blair Cunningham drums on "It Won't Be Long"
*Steve Sidelnyk percussion
*Simon Fowler, Steve Cradock backing vocals on "It Won't Be Long"
'Production'
*Pete Glenister producer, programming on "My Right A.R.M."
*Steve Lillywhite mixing on "It Won't Be Long"
*Neil Brockbank engineer on "It Won't Be Long" and "Take of Me", additional engineer on "My Right A.R.M."
*Alison Moyet programming on "My Right A.R.M."
*Phil Legg engineering, mixing and programming on "My Right A.R.M.", mixing on "Take of Me"
'Other'
*Juergen Teller photography
*DKB design
Charts
References
Category:1991 singles
Category:Alison Moyet songs
Category:Songs written by Alison Moyet
Category:Songs written by Pete Glenister
Category:1991 songs
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