The melody's saxophone hook (in the original version) was played by Raphael Ravenscroft, and the guitar solo was by Hugh Burns.According to the Baker Street Songfacts, Rafferty wrote the song with an instrumental break, but didn't have a specific instrument in mind. Hugh Murphy, who produced the track, suggested a saxophone, so they brought in Ravenscroft to play it.
The original album version (in City to City) was 6:01 minutes long. The single version released in the USA lasted 4:08 minutes, with its tempo accelerated for commercial-radio time allotments. An alternative, uncut mix of "Baker Street" (in Right Down The Line: The Very Best of Gerry Rafferty) contains 30 seconds of end-material not in the original, 1978 version—with reverb emphasized and Rafferty's singing electronically double-tracked.
Baker Street
Gerry Rafferty Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Light in your head and dead on your feet
Well, another crazy day
You'll drink the night away
And forget about everything
This city desert makes you feel so cold
It's got so many people, but it's got no soul
To find out you were wrong
When you thought it held everything
You used to think that it was so easy
You used to say that it was so easy
But you're trying, you're trying now
Another year and then you'd be happy
Just one more year and then you'd be happy
But you're crying, you're crying now
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
He's got this dream about buying some land
He's gonna give up the booze and the one-night stands
And then he'll settle down
In some quiet little town
And forget about everything
But you know he'll always keep moving
You know he's never gonna stop moving
'Cause he's rolling, he's the rolling stone
And when you wake up, it's a new morning
The sun is shining, it's a new morning
And you're going, you're going home
The song "Baker Street" by Gerry Rafferty is a commentary on the struggles of urban life. The first verse paints a picture of someone who is exhausted by the city they live in. They are so tired that they drink themselves to sleep every night just to forget everything. The second verse talks about a person who used to believe that the city had everything they needed to be happy. They thought that all they needed was just one more year, but now they're crying because they realize they were wrong.
The chorus is about a man who dreams of buying some land and settling down in a quiet town, but deep down he knows he'll never be able to do that. He's a rolling stone who can never stay in one place for too long. The end of the song is hopeful, with the mention of a new morning and the sun shining. It's a reminder that even though life can be tough, there are always new beginnings.
Overall, "Baker Street" is a poignant look at the struggles of modern life and the search for happiness. It's a song that many people can relate to, especially those who feel lost or unfulfilled in their current circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
Winding your way down on Baker Street
Slowly making your way through the twists and turns of Baker Street
Light in your head and dead on your feet
Feeling dizzy and tired
Well, another crazy day
Another hectic, chaotic day
You'll drink the night away
You'll spend the night drinking alcohol
And forget about everything
Trying to block out your problems and worries
This city desert makes you feel so cold
This deserted city makes you feel lonely and cold
It's got so many people, but it's got no soul
The city may be full of people, but it lacks character and depth
And it's taken you so long
It's taken you a long time
To find out you were wrong
To realize that you were mistaken
When you thought it held everything
When you believed that the city had it all
You used to think that it was so easy
You once believed that life was simpler
You used to say that it was so easy
You once stated that life was simple
But you're trying, you're trying now
You're currently struggling and putting in effort
Another year and then you'd be happy
You believed that if you just waited one more year, you'd be happy
Just one more year and then you'd be happy
You believed that if you just waited one more year, you'd be happy
But you're crying, you're crying now
You're currently upset and crying
Way down the street there's a light in his place
There's a light on in his building down the street
He opens the door, he's got that look on his face
He opens the door with a specific expression on his face
And he asks you where you've been
He inquires about where you've been
You tell him who you've seen
You recount to him the people you've interacted with
And you talk about anything
You chat about anything and everything
He's got this dream about buying some land
He has a vision of acquiring some property
He's gonna give up the booze and the one-night stands
He's planning to stop drinking and having casual sexual encounters
And then he'll settle down
He'll relax and establish roots
In some quiet little town
He'll live in a peaceful and small locality
And forget about everything
He'll put his troubles and concerns out of his mind
But you know he'll always keep moving
You know he won't stay in one location for long
You know he's never gonna stop moving
You know that he'll always be on the move
'Cause he's rolling, he's the rolling stone
He's a wanderer at heart, always moving like a rolling stone
And when you wake up, it's a new morning
When you awaken, it's a brand-new day
The sun is shining, it's a new morning
The sun is shining, and it's a new day
And you're going, you're going home
You're leaving and journeying back home
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Gerald Rafferty
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@johnmccarthy9391
It just doesn't get any better, and think about the fact that Gerry grew up in Scotland. Somehow, he tapped into the American vibe of what was going on at that time and adapted it and created magic out of it all.
Rafferty absolutely nailed it.
Icon of 70s music writ large.
And no, PLEASE do not post idiotic geriatric missives about how "that was real music, no this or that, blah blah." That's idiotic and irrelevant.
There is plenty of good music out there now, but the point is that this was the 70s, and Raffrerty helped define the era.
I was there.
@ralphmadera4366
I was in my last year of high school, that song came out , I used to start a part time job at 1:30 pm , and this radio station play this song exactly at 1 pm every day , I’m 62 years old and today Sunday , March 7,2024 at 12:42 pm I still play this song . What a great part of humanity we lived between the 70s and 80s.
@Kitunae
My dear Grandpa is going for his cancer operation in the new year. He loves this song. I'm trying to sing for him instead of cry. I love you Grandpa. You are my hero.
@lonepenguin29
I hope everything goes well.
@vickimiller5785
Prayers and positive thoughts to you and yours. I'm sure he appreciates you being there for him, and with him.
@vickimiller5785
Prayers and positive thoughts to you and yours. I'm sure he appreciates you being there for him, and with him.
@cindy-mq6pl
💖💖💖
@pmenadue
Best of luck with everything - take care.
@usmc6911
My drum teacher told me back in 1972 that the sign of a truly great song is, While its playing you can close your eyes and see the song as a movie in your head.My strongest "movies"are Baker street,Rush 2112 whole album,Led Zep No Quarter and Black Sabbath Hand of Doom.
@stanbattle7436
No one ever talks about the guitar riff only the Sax but it is outstanding as well.
@olavius771
One of the most iconic songs of the seventies! ❤️