Little Sister Leaving Town

"Little Sister Leaving Town" is a song by British singer-songwriter Tanita Tikaram, released in 1990 as the second single from her second studio album The Sweet Keeper. It was written by Tikaram, and produced by Peter van Hooke and Rod Argent.

"Little Sister Leaving Town"
Single by Tanita Tikaram
from the album The Sweet Keeper
A-side"Little Sister Leaving Town"
B-side"I Love The Heaven's Solo"
Released26 February 1990[1]
GenreFolk rock
LabelEast West Records
Songwriter(s)Tanita Tikaram
Producer(s)Peter van Hooke
Rod Argent
Tanita Tikaram singles chronology
"We Almost Got It Together"
(1990)		 "Little Sister Leaving Town"
(1990)		 "Thursday's Child"
(1990)

The song's music video was produced and directed by Alan Bell, and scripted by Colin Welland. It was filmed in the Yorkshire Dales.[2]

Critical reception

Upon its release, Music & Media wrote: "Pleasant, slow-moving and characteristically contemplative. The song profits from a strong arrangement. Good use of piano and strings."[3] Everett True of Melody Maker commented: "Well, this ain't so bad – the cello's keen, and suits her mournful countenance just peachy."[4] Andrew Collins of New Musical Express wrote, "She writes very dreary songs, of which the slow ones are by far the dreariest, and then sings them in a crap way. 'Little Sister' is a slow one. It perks up for one bar when it threatens to turn into 'Downtown Train', but this is merely a tease."[5]

In a review of The Sweet Keeper, Robin Denselow of The Guardian described the song as "slinky and finger-clicking" which "head[s] towards soulful Van Morrison territory."[6] Holly Crenshaw of The Atlanta Constitution described the song as "typical of the album's feel" and added: "Ms. Tikaram slowly uses the dynamics of her deep voice and evocative instrumentation to build up to an emotional chorus."[7] Edith Lee of the Journal & Courier wrote: "Tikaram's deep, rich voice is highlighted in "Little Sister Leaving Town". She gets full music from the orchestra and bass heavy enough to make this slow song swing."[8]

Brant Houston of the Hartford Courant commented: ""It All Came Back Today" and "Little Sister Leaving Town" are easily two of the best cuts, both with memorable choruses and each elegiac and moving."[9] Sam Gnerre of the News-Pilot commented: "Tikaram apparently had no trouble coming up with lyrics; if anything, the songs come off as too wordy and meandering. "Little Sister Leaving Town" works by taking a less-is-more approach, but it's definitely an exception."[10]

Track listing
7" single
  1. "Little Sister Leaving Town" - 3:59
  2. "Love Story" - 2:51
12" and CD single
  1. "Little Sister Leaving Town" - 3:59
  2. "I Love The Heaven's Solo" - 2:51
  3. "Hot Pork Sandwiches" - 4:12
CD single (limited edition release)
  1. "Little Sister Leaving Town" - 3:59
  2. "I Love The Heaven's Solo" - 2:51
  3. "Hot Pork Sandwiches" - 4:12
  4. "Twist in My Sobriety" (Live) - 4:50

Personnel

Production

  • Peter van Hooke, Rod Argent - producers, mixing
  • Simon Hurrell - engineer, mixing

Other

  • T & CP Associates - design, illustration
  • Deborah Feingold - photography

Charts
Chart (1990) Peak
position
UK Singles Chart[11] 83

References
  1. Smith, Robin (24 February 1990). "This Week: The Next Seven Days in View". Record Mirror. p. 28.
  2. Mayo, Simon (21 February 1990). "When charity is the chart king". Reading Evening Post.
  3. "Previews: Singles". Music & Media. 17 March 1990.
  4. True, Everett (10 March 1990). "Singles". Melody Maker. p. 36.
  5. Collins, Andrew (10 March 1990). "Singles". New Musical Express. p. 13.
  6. Denselow, Robin (25 January 1990). "Tanita's triumph". The Guardian.
  7. Crenshaw, Holly (24 March 1990). "Reviews: Records". The Atlanta Constitution.
  8. Lee, Edith (23 February 1990). "Tikaram offers sweet package with 'Keeper'". Journal & Courier.
  9. Houston, Brant (22 February 1990). "Folk's Tikaram is 'Sweet,' exquisite; 3rd Bass hits home". The Hartford Courant.
  10. Gnerre, Sam (9 March 1990). "Cramps polish sound with 'Stay Sick'". News-Pilot.
  11. "Official Charts > Tanita Tikaram". The Official UK Charts Company. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
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