In 1972, Rafferty and his old school friend Joe Egan formed the outfit Stealers Wheel, a group that proved beset by legal wranglings yet brimming with talent. They had a huge hit with "Stuck in the Middle With You", a pop/rock track deliberately aping the style of Bob Dylan that has had massive airplay for decades. That song also was immortalized in the infamous torture scene in the motion picture 'Reservoir Dogs', the film's soundtrack introducing the group to a new generation. Despite their knack for The Beatles-like melodic rock, Stealers Wheel disbanded in 1975.
Rafferty spent quite a while in a sort of forced legal limbo before he could record again, spending his time wisely as he developed his sound. In 1978, Rafferty cut a solo album, 'City to City', which would catapult him right into international stardom. Earning praise from many music critics, the release included the song with which he remains most associated: "Baker Street". Known for its gripping lyrics and haunting saxophone solo by Raphael Ravenscroft, the single reached #3 in the U.K. and #2 in the U.S. The album itself also received a boost as another single, "Right Down the Line", picked up major attention.
"Baker Street" has remained a mainstay of radio airplay for decades and popped up several times in popular culture, an example being its placement in the 'Good Will Hunting' soundtrack. Notable cover versions include a release by Undercover that also made the Top 3 in the U.K .singles chart in 1992. American rockers Foo Fighters also made their own version, swapping the saxophone solo for a guitar solo.
His next album, Night Owl, also did well, and the title track was a UK No. 5 hit in 1979. The follow-up single "Get It Right Next Time", made the UK Top 40.
Subsequent albums, such as Snakes and Ladders (1980), Sleepwalking (1982), and North and South (1988) all fared less well, due partly to Rafferty's general reluctance to perform live. "Don't Give Up On Me", from his 1992 collection On A Wing and a Prayer, is a much-featured oldie on BBC Radio 2. In 2021, a posthumous album, Rest In Blue, was released to positive reception.
DISCOGRAPHY
With the Humblebums
First Collection of Merry Melodies (1969)
The New Humblebums (1969)
Open Up The Door (1970)
With Stealers Wheel
Stealers Wheel (1973)
Ferguslie Park (1974)
Right Or Wrong (1975)
Solo
Can I Have My Money Back? (1971)
City To City (1978)
Night Owl (1979)
Snakes And Ladders (1980)
Sleepwalking (1981)
North And South (1988)
On A Wing And A Prayer (1992)
Over My Head (1994)
Another World (2000)
Rest In Blue (2021)
Look At The Moon
Gerry Rafferty Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
These clouds will soon pass by
The moon up in the sky
Is crying, he feels just like you
The moonlight casts it's spell
You know that all is well
Even the moon can tell
In the song "Look At The Moon," Gerry Rafferty uses the metaphor of the moon to comfort a loved one who is crying. He encourages them not to cry because like the clouds in the sky, their troubles will eventually pass. The moon is a symbol of hope and positivity, even though it too appears to be crying. Its tears are thought to be a result of the same emotions the listener is feeling. The moonlight essentially casts its spell over everything, reminding the listener that all is well and encouraging them to keep a positive outlook.
Throughout the song, Rafferty uses the moon as a symbol of unity and shared emotions. The moon symbolizes the interconnectedness of humanity and the way we all experience similar emotions, even though we are seemingly separated by distance and circumstance. The song encourages the listener to look at the moon and remember that they are not alone in their emotions, which is a message that can be incredibly comforting and reassuring.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh darlin', do not cry
My love, please don't weep
These clouds will soon pass by
These dark times won't last
The moon up in the sky
The celestial body above us
Is crying, he feels just like you
Shares your pain as it sheds moonbeams
The moonlight casts it's spell
The enchanting light of the moon
You know that all is well
Take comfort, everything's fine
Even the moon can tell
Even the moon senses it
He's smiling, he feels just like you
Now elated, like you are too
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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