Origins: Streets of London (Ralph McTell)^^^

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Streets of London
From: DonMeixner
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 01:45 PM

And I doubt I'll ever be near as good as he.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Streets of London
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 05:39 PM

I think that I prefer 'The Wild Rover' - it's a lot less sanctimonious!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Streets of London
From: GUEST,Londoner
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 05:42 PM

I'm surprised that a such a caring song writer is so protective of his song. I would have thought he would have wanted everyone to sing it without all the restrictions he has imposed.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Streets of London
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 07:26 PM

Yes, I thought it was a bit odd, compared with, say, Eric Bogle or Dick Gaughan who have a lot of their song words on their websites for the public to use (with the proviso that they should seek permission before recording or using them professionally), and Tom Paxton with free downloads of some of his songs.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Streets of London
From: GUEST,Guest, Mike
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 07:57 PM

I first heard this song in 1970 when I was having a meal in acafe in Brighton, one of the local folkies was providing the diners with entertainment/education. I used to be a policeman in the City of London and can remember seeing characters such as those in this song wandering around the bomb sites of Upper and Lower Thames Streets and also in and around Mick's Cafe in Fleet street late at night. This song brought those memories to life to me, and still do. And as Big Mick said, remind me that there is always someone worse off, nomatter where you are. I now live in Auckland NZ where we also have the homeless.
A long way of saying I like this song and the reasons why.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Streets of London
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 07:57 PM

There is an Italian guy who loves Ralph and puts all his lyrics on his website and Ralph is generally supportive of his efforts, I think. there are discussion forums of his many fans - most of whom will help you out with either lyrics or accompaniments.

Ralph is a gentleman - always polite and friendly to other singers and fans, generally approachable. Being a Ralph fan has never been a cheap option though. transatlantic albums cost about ten bob more than a Beatles album way back in the 1960's. Afterwards in the 1970's the transatlantic catalogue was marketed and repackaged remorselessly - apparently none of which generated much income for Ralph.

Since then, I get the impression he is a little more careful about in whose pockets the record royalties end up.

Ralph works tirelessly at his craft and always does his best for his fans. And we begrudge him nothing at all.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Streets of London
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 27 Jul 07 - 05:10 PM

Please don't misconstrue me, WLD (maybe you weren't?): I have met Ralph and he is a charmer and I am a big fan: the above post I made was merely an observation - and a puzzlement.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Streets of London
From: GUEST,synbyn
Date: 28 Jul 07 - 11:04 AM

I guess it's like having a vacuum cleaner known as a hoover- the originator loses control over his material unless he asserts it. Not through reputable singers, but through cowboys... and I think it's reasonable for writers, who ponder over the exact word to use, to ensure that their ponderings are not hacked about...

Subject: RE: Origins: Streets of London (Ralph McTell)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 27 Mar 20 - 10:19 PM

Ralph McTell first recorded "Streets of London" in 1969, when he was 22 years old. He's now 75.

A BBC Article says that Ralph McTell has added a coronavirus verse to "Streets of London":

Changing the song was something he'd always resisted, he said. It was written when he was 22 and belonged to a particular time. But this was an extraordinary moment in history. "Give me a chance to think and try and write something."

This new verse was the moving result:

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.


Ralph is an optimist. In recent daily encounters he has detected a new mood of community.

In his area of west London, it has manifested itself in warmer greetings and observing the rules of social distancing. He is aware of the paradox that what pushes us physically apart might bring us closer.

---

And here's a really nice video illustrating the song and its history:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiWomXklfv8

Subject: RE: Origins: Streets of London (Ralph McTell)^^^
From: BrooklynJay
Date: 28 Mar 20 - 01:08 PM

Wow.... Thanks for posting this, Joe.

It should be mentioned that the BBC article link also includes a video of Ralph McTell singing the new verse and speaking briefly about his reasons for writing it.


Jay

Subject: RE: Origins: Streets of London (Ralph McTell)^^^
From: Brian May
Date: 29 Mar 20 - 11:27 AM

Interesting he originally wrote it about Paris . . .

Subject: RE: Origins: Streets of London (Ralph McTell)^^^
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Apr 20 - 09:48 AM

Was there ever a verse about a me s drinker or is that just my imagination? I murdered this in guitar club at middle school (in UK) and I swear I remember a line about a meths drinker

Subject: RE: Origins: Streets of London (Ralph McTell)^^^
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Apr 20 - 10:59 AM

Interesting remark from Mary Hopkin during a concert at Royal Festival Hall in 1972, where she indicated that Ralph had given permission for her to sing "Streets of London", and if she did, then he would sing "Those Were the Days". Are there any recordings (or even recollections) of Ralph actually doing so? Can't imagine it to be honest, but then again. I hardly think that the song particularly suited Mary Hopkin either, but that's for another thread perhaps....