(He's a) Shape in a Drape

"(He's a) Shape in a Drape"
"(He's a) Shape in a Drape"
Single by Joe Jackson
from the album Tucker
Released	14 November 1988
Length	2:59
Label	A&M
Songwriter(s)	Joe Jackson
Producer(s)	Joe Jackson
Joe Jackson singles chronology

"(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.^[2]

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".^[3] Andrew Hirst of the Huddersfield Daily Examiner considered it to be "jolly gentle jazz swing fun from one of music's top songsmiths".^[4]

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.^[5] 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".^[6]

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^[7]	87
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)^[8]	30
Canada Top Singles (RPM)^[9]	73
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)^[10]	29
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[11]	35

References

^ "New Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 12 November 1988. p. 31. ISSN 0265-1548. Retrieved 16 September 2024 – via World Radio History.
^ "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.

[1] "New Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 12 November 1988. p. 31. ISSN 0265-1548. Retrieved 16 September 2024 – via World Radio History.

[2] "Tucker [Original Soundtrack] - Joe Jackson | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 2020-08-09.

[3] Massey, Paul (1 December 1988). "Citysound: Singles". Aberdeen Evening Express. p. 16.

[4] Hirst, Andrew (10 December 1988). "Reviews: Singles". Huddersfield Daily Examiner. p. 14.

[5] Moon, Tom (13 August 1988). "Flippant style, serious sound of Michelle Shocked". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 12-L.

[6] Carroll, Tomm (12 August 1988). "Joe Jackson scores again with 'Tucker' sound track". The News-Pilot. p. 12.

[7] 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.

[sc_Flanders_Joe_Jackson-8] "Joe Jackson – (He's a) Shape in a Drape" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 9 August 2020.

[sc_Canadatopsingles_-9] "Top RPM Singles: Issue 5275." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 9 August 2020.

[sc_Dutch40_Joe_Jackson-10] "Nederlandse Top 40 – Joe Jackson" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 9 August 2020.

[sc_Dutch100_Joe_Jackson-11] "Joe Jackson – (He's a) Shape in a Drape" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 9 August 2020.

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