Joke (I'm Laughing)

"Joke (I'm Laughing)" is a song by Scottish singer-songwriter Eddi Reader, released in 1994 as the second single from her second studio album Eddi Reader. It was written by Boo Hewerdine and produced by Greg Penny. "Joke (I'm Laughing)" reached No. 42 on the UK Singles Chart and remained in the Top 100 for three weeks.[1]

"Joke (I'm Laughing)"
Single by Eddi Reader
from the album Eddi Reader
B-side	"Saturday Night"
Released	1994
Length	3:52
Label	Blanco y Negro
Songwriter(s)	Boo Hewerdine
Producer(s)	Greg Penny
Eddi Reader singles chronology
"Patience of Angels" (1994) "Joke (I'm Laughing)" (1994) "Dear John" (1994)

In 1996, Hewerdine released his own version of the song as a single from his album Baptist Hospital.[2] Speaking to Folk Radio in 2014, Hewerdine said of the song: ""Joke" was the first song I made up that I thought was good. I wrote it for my post-school band Placebo Thing."[3]

Critical reception

In a review of Eddi Reader, Ira Robbins of Trouser Press described the song as "sardonic" which "seethes with quiet disdain".[4] Jon Pareles of The New York Times observed that "love doesn't go smoothly in Ms. Reader's songs" and noted "Joke (I'm Laughing)" for its narrative of a "spurned woman".[5]

Track listing

7" and cassette single

1. "Joke (I'm Laughing)" - 3:52
2. "Saturday Night" - 4:58

CD single

1. "Joke (I'm Laughing)" - 3:52
2. "Saturday Night" - 4:58
3. "Wonderboy" - 2:39

CD single (UK limited edition)

1. "Joke (I'm Laughing)" - 3:52
2. "Three Crosses" - 4:16
3. "Go and Sit Upon the Grass" - 1:27

Personnel

Joke (I'm Laughing)

• Eddi Reader – vocals, backing vocals
• Dean Parks – guitar
• Teddy Borowecki – piano, keyboards
• David Piltch – bass
• Greg Penny – drums

Production

• Greg Penny – producer of "Joke (I'm Laughing)" and "Wonderboy"
• Jon Ingoldsby – mixing and recording on "Joke (I'm Laughing)"
• Andy Strange, Steve Holroyd – assistant engineers on "Joke (I'm Laughing)"
• Ron Johnson – technical assistance on "Joke (I'm Laughing)"
• Chris Bellman – mastering on "Joke (I'm Laughing)"
• Eddi Reader, Teddy Borowiecki – producers of "Saturday Night", "Three Crosses" and "Go and Sit Upon the Grass"

Other

• Kevin Westenberg – photography
• M at Maitland – sleeve design

Charts

Chart (1994)	Peak position
UK Singles Chart[1]	42

References

1. "EDDI READER | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 2020-04-12.
2. AllMusic Review by James Chrispell (1996-09-24). "Baptist Hospital - Boo Hewerdine | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2020-04-12.
3. "Exclusive Preview: Boo Hewerdine - My Name in the Brackets". Folk Radio. Retrieved 2020-04-12.
4. "Eddi Reader with the Patron Saints of Imperfection". TrouserPress.com. Retrieved 2020-04-12.
5. Jon Pareles (1994-10-03). "In Performance; POP - The New York Times". Nytimes.com. Retrieved 2020-04-12.