TeresitaPennell at 01:44, 14 April 2026

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{{Short description|1991 single by Jesus Loves You}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Bow Down Mister
| cover = Jesus Loves You Bow Down Mister.jpg
| alt =
| caption =
| type = single
| artist = [[Jesus Loves You (band)|Jesus Loves You]]
| album = [[The Martyr Mantras]]
| B-side = "Love Hurts" (Yes It Doz U Blighter mix)
| released = {{start date|1991|2|11|df=y}}
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre =
* [[Acoustic pop]]<ref name="flick1">{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/90s/1991/BB-1991-03-30.pdf|title=Music Meet Face-Off: Labels, Pools Still Discordant|last=Flick|first=Larry|author-link=Larry Flick|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|volume=103|issue=13|page=39|date=30 March 1991|access-date=11 November 2020}}</ref>
* [[House music|house]]<ref name="flick1"/>
| length = 6:32 (album version)
| label = [[More Protein]]
| writer = [[Boy George|Angela Dust]]
| producer = Bruce Forest
| prev_title = One on One
| prev_year = 1990
| next_title = [[Generations of Love]]
| next_year = 1991
| misc = {{External music video|header=Audio|{{YouTube|OghqVc-aH8I|"Bow Down Mister"}}}}
}}
"'''Bow Down Mister'''" is a song written by English singer [[Boy George]], under the pseudonym "Angela Dust", and recorded by his first musical group following his departure from [[Culture Club]], [[Jesus Loves You (band)|Jesus Loves You]]. Inspired by a trip George took to [[India]], the song is a tribute to the [[International Society for Krishna Consciousness|Hare Krishna movement]] and incorporates the [[Hare Krishna (mantra)|Hare Krishna mantra]]. Indian singer [[Asha Bhosle]] performs the female vocals on the song but is uncredited on the single release.

"Bow Down Mister" was released on 11 February 1991 by record label [[More Protein]] as the fourth single from the project's only studio album, ''[[The Martyr Mantras]]'' (1991). It reached number 27 on the [[UK Singles Chart]] and became a bigger hit in several mainland European countries, especially in Austria and Germany, where the song reached the top 10.

==Background and meaning==
[[Boy George]] wrote "Bow Down Mister" shortly after taking a trip to [[India]].<ref name="monitor">{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1991/MM-1991-01-19.pdf|title=Music Monitor – First Quarter 1991|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|volume=8|issue=3|page=8|date=19 January 1991|access-date=11 November 2020}}</ref> George was intrigued that the song was perceived as [[radical politics|radical]] to the public, as this was not his intention; however, he went on to explain, "That is unless you consider a song that encourages love instead of hate as being radical. I am continually amazed at how, with all of the knowledge we have as humans, we continue to be so small-minded."<ref name="flick2">{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/90s/1991/BB-1991-02-02.pdf|title=Boy George Is Back on the Dance Charts|last=Flick|first=Larry|author-link=Larry Flick|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|volume=103|issue=5|page=35|date=2 February 1991|access-date=11 November 2020}}</ref> The track was written as an [[ode]] to the [[International Society for Krishna Consciousness|Hare Krishna movement]],<ref name="flick1"/> a [[Hindu]] religious organisation whose members dedicate their thoughts and actions to the Hindu deity [[Krishna]], and the song recites the [[Hare Krishna (mantra)|Hare Krishna mantra]] several times during the [[bridge (music)|bridge]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90643796|title=What You Need to Know About Hare Krishnas|last=Bradley Hagerty|first=Barbara|website=[[NPR]]|date=22 May 2008|access-date=11 November 2020}}</ref> Indian [[playback singer]] [[Asha Bhosle]] is featured as the female vocalist on the recording.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cindybyram.com/artists/ashabhosle.htm|title=Asha Bhosle|publisher=Cindy Byram PR|access-date=20 January 2020}}</ref> During an interview, Bhosle stated that "Bow Down Mister" was the best song she had contributed to and that she continues to cherish it.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/eyecatchers/story/20000814-asha-bhosle-to-perform-with-boy-george-in-wembley-london-777866-2000-08-14|title=Asha Bhosle to perform with Boy George in Wembley, London|author=Site administrator|website=[[India Today]]|date=14 August 2000|access-date=20 January 2021}}</ref>

==Critical reception==
''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' writer [[Larry Flick]] called the song "thoroughly original and refreshing" and praised its "anthemic" melody but found the song "too offbeat" for UK hit radio.<ref name="flick1"/><ref name="flick2"/> In the same magazine, a review of the parent album called the homage "quirky".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/90s/1991/BB-1991-02-09.pdf|title=Album Reviews – Dance|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|volume=103|issue=6|page=78|date=9 February 1991|access-date=11 November 2020}}</ref> [[AllMusic]] reviewer William Ruhlmann referred to "Bow Down Mister" as one of the "oddest" songs on ''The Martyr Mantras''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-martyr-mantras-mw0000313369|title=AllMusic Review by William Ruhlmann|last=Ruhlmann|first=William|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=11 November 2020}}</ref> Alan Jones from ''[[Music Week]]'' named it Pick of the Week, writing, "Boy George's latest project is so bizarre it's not surprising that it takes a little time to reveal its full potency. But there's much to admire here, with some haunting Indian singing before the track resolves itself as a worthy dancefloor contender."<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Alan|last=Jones|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1991/MW-1991-02-16.pdf|title=Mainstream: Singles — Pick of the Week|magazine=[[Music Week]]|date=16 February 1991|page=6|access-date=6 April 2023}}</ref> Chris Mellor from ''[[Record Mirror]]'' noted, "Indian dance music, hippy chic [[George Harrison]] style Hare Krishna chants mingle with beautiful [[sitar]]s and Boy George's inimitable vocal style to create something quite stunning."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/57779449@N02/51223641937/in/album-72157719345890961/lightbox/|title=DJ Directory — Hot Vinyl|last=Mellor|first=Chris|magazine=[[Record Mirror]]|page=37|date=9 February 1991|access-date=10 August 2021}}</ref> Another editor, Phil Cheeseman felt that it has "a terrible line [...] about [[Hindus]] knowing the score, not enormously subtle given the current flare-up of religious and caste violence in India."<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Phil|last=Cheeseman|title=Albums|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/57779449@N02/51390302491/in/album-72157719706153454/|magazine=[[Record Mirror]]|date=6 April 1991|page=16|accessdate=14 December 2022}}</ref>

==Chart performance==
On the [[UK Singles Chart]], "Bow Down Mister" debuted at number 69 on 17 February 1991, taking a total of five weeks to peak at number 27 on 17 March 1991.<ref name="uk"/> It spent three more weeks in the top 100 before dropping out in early April.<ref name="uk"/> The same month, the track appeared on the [[French Singles Chart]] at number 41, rising to a peak of number 29 on two occasions and spending 13 weeks on the chart.<ref name="fra"/> In late May, the single entered the [[Austrian Singles Chart|Austrian]] and [[German Singles Chart]]. In Austria, it rose to number two and totalled 22 weeks in the top 30, ending 1991 as the country's 10th-highest-selling single.<ref name="aut"/><ref name="autye"/> Meanwhile, in Germany, it peaked at number six for two weeks, logged 27 weeks in the top 100, and finished the year at number 17 on Germany's year-end chart.<ref name="ger"/><ref name="gerye"/> In Switzerland, it reached number 15,<ref name="swi"/> while in the [[Flanders]] region of Belgium, it debuted at its peak of number 44.<ref name="fla"/> On the [[Eurochart Hot 100]], "Bow Down Mister" rose to number 20 in August 1991 and was ranked Europe's 73rd-best-performing hit of the year.<ref name="eur"/><ref name="eurye"/>

==Track listings==
* '''UK 12-inch single'''<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Bow Down Mister|year=1991|type=UK 12-inch single sleeve|publisher=[[More Protein]]|id=PROT 8-12, 614 006}}</ref>
:A. "Bow Down Mister" (Sitari Bizzari mix) – 6:24
:B. "Bow Down Mister" (Floating in the Ganges – Grid mix) – 7:04

* '''French maxi-single'''<ref name="aut"/>
# "Bow Down Mister" (A Small Portion 2 B Polite mix) – 3:59
# "Bow Down Mister" (Nayana Banana Govinda Goulash mix) – 6:25
# "Love Hurts" (Yes It Doz U Blighter mix) – 3:59

* '''German 7-inch single'''<ref name="aut"/>
:A. "Bow Down Mister" (A Small Portion 2B Polite mix) – 3:59
:B. "Love Hurts" (Yes It Doz U Blighter mix) – 3:59

==Charts==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

===Weekly charts===
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
!Chart (1991)
!Peak<br/>position
|-
!scope="row"|Australia ([[ARIA Charts|ARIA]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bubblingdownunder.com/2022/05/week-commencing-20-may-1991.html|title=Bubbling Down Under Week Commencing 20 May 1991|publisher=Bubblingdownunder.com|date=20 May 2022|access-date=5 February 2026}}</ref>
| 142
|-
{{single chart|Austria|2|artist=Jesus Loves You|song=Bow Down Mister|rowheader=true|access-date=11 November 2020|refname="aut"}}
|-
{{single chart|Flanders|44|artist=Jesus Loves You|song=Bow Down Mister|rowheader=true|access-date=11 November 2020|refname="fla"}}
|-
!scope="row"|Europe ([[Eurochart Hot 100]])<ref name="eur">{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1991/MM-1991-08-10.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|volume=8|issue=32|page=21|date=10 August 1991|access-date=11 November 2020}}</ref>
| 20
|-
{{single chart|France|29|artist=Jesus Loves You|song=Bow Down Mister|rowheader=true|access-date=11 November 2020|refname="fra"}}
|-
{{single chart|Germany|6|artist=Jesus Loves You|song=Bow Down Mister|songid=2284|rowheader=true|access-date=11 November 2020|refname="ger"}}
|-
{{single chart|Switzerland|15|artist=Jesus Loves You|song=Bow Down Mister|rowheader=true|access-date=11 November 2020|refname="swi"}}
|-
{{single chart|UK|27|date=19910323|rowheader=true|access-date=11 November 2020|refname="uk"}}
|-
!scope="row"|UK Airplay (''[[Music Week]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1991/MW-1991-04-06.pdf|title=Playlist Chart|magazine=[[Music Week]]|date=6 April 1991|page=14|access-date=14 October 2025}}</ref>
| 13
|-
!scope="row"|UK Dance (''[[Music Week]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1991/MW-1991-03-09.pdf|title=Top 60 Dance Singles|magazine=[[Music Week]]|date=9 March 1991|page=20|access-date=13 September 2025}}</ref>
| 48
|}
{{col-2}}

===Year-end charts===
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
!Chart (1991)
!Position
|-
!scope="row"|Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)<ref name="autye">{{cite web|url=https://austriancharts.at/year.asp?cat=s&id=1991|title=Jahreshitparade Singles 1991|language=de|access-date=11 November 2020}}</ref>
| 10
|-
!scope="row"|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)<ref name="eurye">{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1991/MM-1991-12-21.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles – 1991|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|volume=8|issue=51–52|page=21|date=21 December 1991|access-date=11 November 2020}}</ref>
| 73
|-
!scope="row"|Germany (Media Control)<ref name="gerye">{{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/single-jahr/for-date-1991|title=Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 1991|publisher=[[GfK Entertainment charts|GfK Entertainment]]|language=de|access-date=11 November 2020}}</ref>
| 17
|}
{{col-end}}

==Release history==
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
!scope="col"|Region
!scope="col"|Date
!scope="col"|Format(s)
!scope="col"|Label(s)
!scope="col"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
!scope="row"|United Kingdom
|11 February 1991
|{{n/a}}
|[[More Protein]]
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boygeorgefever.com/jesus-loves-you-.html|title=Jesus Loves You: Album & single reviews and then some.....|website=boygeorgefever.com|access-date=26 July 2021}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row"|Australia
|15 April 1991
|{{hlist|7-inch vinyl|12-inch vinyl|cassette}}
|[[Virgin Records|Virgin]]
|<ref>{{cite magazine|title=New Release Summary – Product Available from : 15/04/91: Singles|magazine=[[The ARIA Report]]|issue=64|page=17|date=14 April 1991}}</ref>
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Boy George}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1990 songs]]
[[Category:1991 singles]]
[[Category:Asha Bhosle songs]]
[[Category:Bhajan]]
[[Category:British house music songs]]
[[Category:Hindu devotional songs]]
[[Category:Indian mythology in music]]
[[Category:International Society for Krishna Consciousness media]]
[[Category:Jesus Loves You (band) songs]]
[[Category:Krishna in popular culture]]
[[Category:Macaronic songs]]
[[Category:Songs about India]]
[[Category:Songs written by Boy George]]
[[Category:Virgin Records singles]]

Bow Down Mister - Revision history

TeresitaPennell at 01:44, 14 April 2026