Ralph McTell: Streets of London Video: wildfiremedia.
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[This article has been updated from 29th December, 2012. Perhaps we could give away some, if we have a little to spare...]
Used as a teaching aid in a Singapore school textbook some years ago, this international pop anthem about the street poor was first recorded in 1969. It is the third time I am posting *Streets of London on this blog. I would probably post it again in another year to remind us of the squalor, deprivation and loneliness of many homeless people in this world today. Some things never change.
When you are sipping that glass of champagne and slurping the caviar, tucking into succulent chicken rice and downing it with Tiger or just watching the ushering in of New Year 2021 on TV please remember the very poor who need our help.
I am not being hypocritical but perhaps just two Singapore dollars placed in the hands of someone who needs the money is sufficient. Or more if you wish. Depends on how much your heart (not head) is willing to give. Don't force yourself. If you can't, don't.
Watch the above video to the end because it's different from the others available on You Tube. wildfiremedia who produced the clip had an interview with Ralph McTell on the streets of London.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_voluntary_welfare_organisations_in_Singapore
Video: from wildfiremedia on You Tube.
Streets of London is written by Ralph McTell, first recorded for his 1969 album Spiral Staircase but not released in the United Kingdom as a single until 1974. It was his greatest commercial success, reaching number two in the UK singles chart, at one point selling 90,000 copies a day.
As McTell explains on the video it could be any street in any big city in the world. He was inspired by an older song called, Poor People of Paris (1954) made good by Les Baxter and Orchestra. I remember this one, do you?
As McTell explains on the video it could be any street in any big city in the world. He was inspired by an older song called, Poor People of Paris (1954) made good by Les Baxter and Orchestra. I remember this one, do you?
Over two hundred artists have made covers of this song including Cliff Richard, Blackmore's Night, Mary Hopkin, Raffi, Sam Hui, Sinéad O'Connor, Schooner Fare, Anti-Nowhere League, Roger Whittaker, Cleo Laine, Cat Stevens Oskar Weise/Tom Brner, Tommy Korberg and Liam Clancy. Its popularity was also the subject of a comedy sketch on BBC show Big Train.
McTell celebrated his 70th birthday with a concert at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London, on 7 December 2014 (video clip below).
Read more from wikepedia..
14 comments:
I really despise this song. First of all, they made us sing it in school over and over again, but first and foremost because of the lyrics. If I interpret it right, this guy is basically saying "Quit complaining about your life, these people suffer more than you do!", which is such a massive demonstration of stupidity and lack of psychological understanding.
If you think a beggar necessarily suffers more than anyone in the world, you are pretty close-minded in my opinion.
Written in December, 2008.
This is a sad, sad song about oppression, and the lost of individuality that one has when in the big city, but at the same time there is a tiny ray of sunshine, because when you hear it, you almost feel better because your life, no matter how shitty it is, has something that the people in this song don't have.
May, 2008.
Some comments about the song. What do you all think?
Ralph got inspired to write the song when he and his band were out busking and hitchhiking around Europe before they got discovered, actually it was in Paris the individual stories are taken from, but he choose to use London because he thought the name was most suitable.
I was in London many times in the 80s and 90s and have witnessed the homeless all over the city. Bag-ladies and scrawny, old men scavenging from the rubbish bins. Some younger ones too.
When I approached one to talk to, she warned me off with a walking stick, "You don come here to MUH (my) territory. These bins are all mine..." as she pointed to the row of bins on the side-road.
It's an old story re-told. But it's a reminder? And etched in my memory since.
Remembering those who need help. A happy thanksgiving to all.
cute Andy ! Thanks
I am now on my first draft of my 60s music adventure from Singapore to LA.
Happy Thanksgiving ! Is it celebrated in Singapore ! I know Halloween is in the clubs :)
I love the Streets Of London and the Poor People Of Paris. I was also from a poor family but had a very happy childhood playing with my neighbours all sorts of game.
Andy Young
Thanks Stephen for being so frank. I realise the genuine person that you are when we met at Ceylon Sports Club when I performed there not too long ago with SILVER STRINGS.
Andy Young
THANKS DICK for supporting the post.
Hi Andy yes "The streets of London" is a sad but very true representation of what the world has become since the Covid lockdown and loss of jobs. Sad that affluent societies have forgotten those that have fallen between the cracks. A little financial handout does go a long way. So open your heart and money bags too. 🙏
Freda Hanum
Loved this song Streets Of London, it's real pitiful sight to see especially old folks sleeping on the streets without food, it don't seem right 😥
Andy Young
Thanks Freda, yes it's true, some of the 'bagladies' will chope the area around a garbage bin as their 'territory', so if anyone comes near they will use a weapon to beat the intruder. I witnessed it in London some years ago.
Andy Young
I performed there not too long ago with SILVER STRINGS.
Stephen Han
Andy Young -Yes you really put up a good performance.
Stephen Han
Andy Young -I attended the Silver Strings jubilee shows because long time ago at a trade show at the site of the World Trade Building, the band members were so kind to let me join them so I can gain free entry.
Andy Young
Oh wow. That was a great gesture. Most of the boys are really nice.
THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING FOR LIKING THIS POST
Freda Hanum
Francis Anthony Rozells
Koh Sui Pang
Ann Rowena Lim
Yip Dick
Howdy Andy,
Really with a song like Streets Of London U realise not all expatriates from Europe or America R high n mighty rich n powerful like what we used to see here in our countries back in those colonial days.
Compared we seem to be more fortunate n even D poor nowadays r cared for by our government. U don't see streets of beggars or homeless folks these days n no one goes hungry anymore because they r cared for by social workers.
However Sam Hui sang dis song with soulful emotional feelings n tells D story of D poor side of London, very very touchingly!
Hi ERIC,
Yes, it's true.
Our poor are cared for today.
I must listen to Sam Hui's version.
THANKS FOR THE COMMENTS.
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