Lyrical London : Ralph McTell and Gerry Rafferty

Lyrical London: The Streets that Inspired Ralph Mctell

First penned in 1969, Croydon-born Ralph McTell's famous song "The Streets of London" is as iconic a description of the city and it's inhabitants as there ever was.

The lyrics having long remained unchanged, but the dramatic events of 2020 however inspired the 75 year old artist to update a verse of the hit to fit the newly empty streets, inhabited only by  those who had nowhere else to go.

Ralph's new lyrics appeal to the spirit of Londoners, to hope for the future and to our sense of care for our community despite social distancing measures.
"In shop doorways, under bridges, in all our towns and cities
You can glimpse the makeshift bedding from the corner of your eye
Remember what you're seeing barely hides a human being
We're all in this together, brother, sister, you and I."

Lyrical London: The Baker Streets Blues

Released in 1978, Baker Street was written by Gerry Rafferty while he stayed with a friend in a flat on the street this song is named after.

Penned during a time when Rafferty was forbidden from releasing new music having abandoned The Stealer's Wheels, you can forgive him for painting a rather blue view of the city. However, he does capture the atmosphere of London well; a place where you can go anywhere and talk about anything.
"Winding your way down on Baker Street
Light in your head and dead on your feet
Well, another crazy day
You'll drink the night away
And forget about ev'rything
Way down the street there's a light in his place
He opens the door, he's got that look on his face
And he asks you where you've been
You tell him who you've seen
And you talk about anything"
Back to blog