(He's a) Shape in a Drape
"(He's a) Shape in a Drape" is a song by British singer-songwriter and musician Joe Jackson, which was released in 1988 as a single from the soundtrack album of the American biographical comedy-drama film Tucker: The Man and His Dream. The song was written and produced by Jackson.[1]
| "(He's a) Shape in a Drape" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Joe Jackson | ||||
| from the album Tucker | ||||
| Released | 1988 | |||
| Length | 2:59 | |||
| Label | A&M | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Joe Jackson | |||
| Producer(s) | Joe Jackson | |||
| Joe Jackson singles chronology | ||||
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Critical reception
    
In a review of the single, Paul Massey of the Aberdeen Evening Express described Jackson as "a talented guy" and noted the song returned Jackson to "his Jumpin' Jive era".[2] Andrew Hirst of the Huddersfield Daily Examiner considered it to be "jolly gentle jazz swing fun from one of music's top songsmiths".[3]
In a review of the Tucker soundtrack, Tom Moon of The Philadelphia Inquirer considered "(He's a) Shape in a Drape" to be "the most engaging" of the three tracks to feature vocals.[4] Tomm Carroll, writing for the News-Pilot commented: "With a nod to the commercial, Tucker [features] a couple of vocal pieces compatible with the style of the score, [including] the swing-fest, "(He's a) Shape in a Drape"." Carroll added that the song "smacks of a hit single".[5]
Track listing
    
- 7" and cassette single
 
- "(He's a) Shape in a Drape" - 2:59
 - "Speedway" - 2:40
 
- 7" single (US promo)
 
- "(He's a) Shape in a Drape" - 2:59
 - "(He's a) Shape in a Drape" - 2:59
 
- CD single
 
- "(He's a) Shape in a Drape" - 2:59
 - "Soul Kiss" (Live) - 4:51
 - "Monday Papers" (Live) - 4:58
 
- CD single (US promo)
 
- "(He's a) Shape in a Drape" - 2:59
 
Personnel
    
Production
- Joe Jackson - producer, arranger
 - David Anderle - album coordinator
 - Seigen Ono - recording and mixing on "Soul Kiss" and "Monday Papers"
 - David Kershenbaum - mixing engineer on "Soul Kiss" and "Monday Papers"
 - Kevin Smith - remix engineer on "Soul Kiss" and "Monday Papers"
 
Charts
    
| Chart (1988) | Peak position  | 
|---|---|
| Australia Kent Music Report[6] | 87 | 
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[7] | 30 | 
| Canada Top Singles (RPM)[8] | 73 | 
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[9] | 29 | 
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[10] | 35 | 
References
    
- "Tucker [Original Soundtrack] - Joe Jackson | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 2020-08-09.
 - Massey, Paul (1 December 1988). "Citysound: Singles". Aberdeen Evening Express. p. 16.
 - Hirst, Andrew (10 December 1988). "Reviews: Singles". Huddersfield Daily Examiner. p. 14.
 - Moon, Tom (13 August 1988). "Flippant style, serious sound of Michelle Shocked". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 12-L.
 - Carroll, Tomm (12 August 1988). "Joe Jackson scores again with 'Tucker' sound track". The News-Pilot. p. 12.
 - Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 151. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
 - "Joe Jackson – (He's a) Shape in a Drape" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
 - "Top RPM Singles: Issue 5275." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
 - "Nederlandse Top 40 – Joe Jackson" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
 - "Joe Jackson – (He's a) Shape in a Drape" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
 
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