Going to a Town
A political song about leaving America, and the lead single from Release the Stars.
Rufus Wainwright, from Release the Stars (2007)
- Written by
- Rufus Wainwright
- Released
- 2007
- Length
- 4:06
- Album
- Release the Stars
The first single from Release the Stars came out as a US digital release on 3 April 2007 and in the UK on 7 May. It peaked at 54 on the UK Singles Chart and spent two weeks there. Wainwright said he wrote it in about five minutes on the eve of leaving for Berlin. Uncut's John Mulvey counted it among his angriest lyrics, built on the refrain "I'm so tired of you America". Pitchfork judged it the rare political song that hits its mark, and the album's highlight. Sophie Muller directed the video.
Wainwright re-recorded it with Anohni for Folkocracy in 2023. At the Proms in September 2023 it was the encore that closed both of the Want shows. George Michael sang it on his 2011-12 Symphonica tour and put it on the deluxe edition of Symphonica in 2014, and Mandy Patinkin recorded it for his 2018 album Diary: January 27, 2018, singing "Jerusalem" for "America". Salma Hayek sang it on the soundtrack of the film Americano.
On stage
- 2023-09-05, Royal Albert Hall, BBC Proms Encore closing both the Want One and Want Two Proms, with the BBC Concert Orchestra.
Covers and versions
- George Michael (2014) Included on the deluxe edition of Symphonica after being performed on his 2011-12 Symphonica tour; sent to radio on 7 April 2014.
- Mandy Patinkin (2018) On the album Diary: January 27, 2018, with "Jerusalem" in place of "America".
- Salma Hayek Performed on the soundtrack of the film Americano.
More songs by Rufus Wainwright
Oh What a World, I Don't Know What It Is, Dinner at Eight, Gay Messiah, Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk
Sources
- Going to a Town, Wikipedia
- Release the Stars, Wikipedia
- Rufus Wainwright: Release the Stars, Pitchfork (2007-05-17)
- Rufus Wainwright: Want One and Want Two review, The Guardian (2023-09-06)