Docklands (song)

"Docklands" was originally recorded in 1987 by the Mint Juleps during the sessions for their second studio album, The Power of Six, which was produced by Trevor Horn. Cook co-wrote four of the songs on the album and contributed keyboards, programming and vocal arrangements.{{cite AV media notes |title=The Power of Six |others=The Mint Juleps |year=1988 |type=French CD album |publisher=Polydor Records |id=835 883-2}} She had the initial idea for "Docklands" and it was subsequently written with Horn for the Mint Juleps to record.{{cite AV media |people=Debbie Charles, Debbie Longworth |date=2013 |title=Ten Big Stiffs - Mint Juleps "Docklands" |publisher=Stiff Records |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_qaeIgBsBs |via=YouTube |access-date=4 May 2025}}

The song was initially inspired by London and the Mint Julep's experiences of growing up and living there, particular of the four members who were sisters. Cook then turned to her own experiences growing up in America to complete the lyrics. In 1992, she revealed: {{Blockquote|[The sisters] told Trevor about how they had to go with their mother to the launderette because she got mugged one day and somebody stole all their laundry. So, we took that as a starting point for the first verse and then as the song developed, I realised that if I didn't bring any inside experience, it wasn't going to work as a song. So, I imagined what it was like for me being a sort of intelligent person in a very small redneck and closed-minded town, where nobody really understood what was going on in my head at all. I hated the politics of most of the people in my town and felt very lonely, and couldn't think of anything but than how soon I could get out of there. That's all I thought about, 'I've got to get out of this town as soon as I can'. So, 'Docklands' sort of turned into my song in the end.{{cite AV media notes |title=An Introduction to Betsy Cook |others=Betsy Cook |year=1992 |type=UK promotional only cassette |publisher=East West Records}}}}

The Mint Juleps's version was distributed by Stiff Records on white label in 1987 and was included on their 1988 album The Power of Six.{{cite AV media notes |title=Docklands |others=The Mint Juleps |year=1987 |type=UK 12-inch white label single |publisher=Stiff Records |id=BUYDJ 264}} In 2013, it was released as a 7-inch single as part of the various artists box-set Ten Big Stiffs for that year's Record Store Day.{{cite AV media notes |title=Docklands |others=The Mint Juleps |year=2013 |type=UK 7-inch single |publisher=Stiff Records |id=BUY 264}}{{cite AV media notes |title=Ten Big Stiffs |others=Various artists |year=2013 |type=UK 7-inch box-set compilation |publisher=Stiff Records |id=BUY 289}}

After signing to East West Records as a solo artist, Cook recorded "Docklands" for her debut studio album, The Girl Who Ate Herself, with Horn as the producer. The final recording was virtually the same track that Cook and Horn had originally demoed together, but with a few additions made and the drums altered. The liner notes for the album noted that the track had "musical contributions by a cast of dozens, laid on the original foundations".{{cite AV media notes |title=The Girl Who Ate Herself |others=Betsy Cook |year=1992 |type=European CD album liner notes |publisher=East West Records |id=9031-76429-2}} It was released as the album's third and final single on 18 May 1992 and reached number 142 on the UK Singles Chart.{{cite magazine |title=New Releases: Singles |magazine=Music Week |date=16 May 1992 |page=19 |issn=0265-1548}}

Upon its release as a single, Alan Jones of Music Week noted that Cook's version of "Docklands" "provides a crisp, upbeat framework for her clear and fresh vocals". He described her as a "rather serious and sober songwriter" and added that, like Tori Amos, "there's no reason why she shouldn't also become a familiar name in both countries [the UK and US]".{{cite magazine |last=Jones |first=Alan |title=Market Preview: Singles |magazine=Music Week |date=30 May 1992 |page=10 |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1992/MW-1992-05-30.pdf |access-date=4 May 2025 |issn=0265-1548}} Peter Kinghorn of the Evening Chronicle called it a "wistful ballad that lilts along nicely".{{cite news |last=Kinghorn |first=Peter |title=Albums/Singles |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000726/19920520/287/0028 |newspaper=Evening Chronicle |date=20 May 1992 |page=4 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |access-date=4 May 2025}}

7–inch single (UK){{cite AV media notes |title=Docklands |others=Betsy Cook |year=1992 |type=UK 7-inch single sleeve |publisher=East West Records |id=YZ 675, 9031-77682-7}}

1. "Docklands" – 4:37
2. "Nothing Ventured" – 3:54

CD single (UK){{cite AV media notes |title=Docklands |others=Betsy Cook |year=1992 |type=UK CD single sleeve |publisher=East West Records |id=YZ675CD, 9031-77683-2 LO}}

1. "Docklands" – 4:37
2. "Nothing Ventured" – 3:54
3. "Hand On My Shoulder" – 4:02

Production

• Trevor Horn – production ("Docklands")
• Tony Phillips – mixing ("Docklands")
• Stephen Fitzmaurice – mixing assistance ("Docklands")
• Betsy Cook – production ("Nothing Ventured", "Hand On My Shoulder")
• Hugh Murphy – production ("Nothing Ventured")
• Ian Stanley – production ("Hand On My Shoulder")

Other

• Kate Garner – photography
• Alison Tutton – design

{{Reflist}}

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Category:1987 singles

Category:1992 singles

Category:1987 songs

Category:East West Records singles

Category:Stiff Records

Category:Songs written by Betsy Cook

Category:Song recordings produced by Trevor Horn