One thing that classical music followers can do, and followers of most other styles of music find difficult, is listen to a piece of music and judge it with an historical perspective. For example, no classical fan would critize Mozart for having a very narrow harmonic pallet as compared to, say, Wagner. So when we critize "The Streets of London", we must do it in the context of its conception - in the 60s. Then it was fresh, made you think, and had a lovely clawhammer ( that's what we called it then) guitar accompaniment. I can still remember the tremendous buzz it caused on the folkscene. Long before I heard it - and before it was recorded, the word went out about this great new song by Ralph McTell. Interestingly, Ralph can't be blaimed for the tune! It appears ( it has been alleged) that he lifted it - unwittingly, from Al Stewart's song " Samuel, Oh how you've changed!"