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)
The Royal Mile
Gerry Rafferty Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As it rolled through the night in the pouring rain
And the touch of a hand and the way she said 'Goodbye'.
And we walked in the sun down the royal mile
Saw the light in her eye and the way she smiled
And she cried in the night and I heard her say 'Don't go'.
Looking at you sweet darlin', I know I want to stay
What can I do, sweet darlin'?
In the light of the day I was rolling home
I was thinking of you waiting on your own
And I wanted to call but then something said 'Oh no'.
Yeah but now it's a dream, it's a memory
But I'll never forget what you gave to me
I was lost and alone but you made me feel ok.
What can I do, sweet darlin', I don't want to go away
Looking at you sweet darlin', I know I want to stay
What can I do, sweet darlin'?
I remember the sound of the passing train
As it rolled through the night in the pouring rain
And the touch of a hand and the way she said 'Goodbye'.
What can I do, sweet darlin', I don't want to go away
Looking at you sweet darlin', I know I want to stay
What can I do, sweet darlin'?
The Royal Mile is a melancholic song that depicts the memories of a man who is leaving his beloved behind. The first verse describes the sounds of a passing train on a rainy night, followed by a heartbreaking scene of parting between the man and his lover. The second verse moves to a sunnier setting, as the couple walks down the Royal Mile together, sharing a moment of happiness that is tinged with sadness. The woman is crying because she doesn't want him to leave, but he has to go. The chorus repeats the man's plea to stay, confessing his love for her and his reluctance to leave her behind.
The third verse takes us back to the present as the man is rolling home, reflecting on the decision he made. He wants to call her, but something holds him back, maybe the fear that he'll regret what he's done. In the final verse, he acknowledges that the moment has passed, and all that remains is the memory of the love they shared. The song ends with a repeat of the chorus, as the man asks himself what he can do to be with her, knowing that it's too late now.
The Royal Mile is a poignant song that explores the themes of love, loss, and regret. It speaks to anyone who has ever had to leave someone they love behind, whether it's for a short time or forever. Gerry Rafferty's emotive vocals and the simple yet evocative melody make it a timeless classic that resonates with listeners to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
I remember the sound of the passing train
I recall hearing the train pass by on a rainy night
As it rolled through the night in the pouring rain
The train moved along in the dark, wet weather
And the touch of a hand and the way she said 'Goodbye'.
I remember the sensation of her touch and the sad farewell she gave me
And we walked in the sun down the royal mile
We strolled together in the sunlight along a famous street
Saw the light in her eye and the way she smiled
I noticed the joy in her gaze and the smile on her face
And she cried in the night and I heard her say 'Don't go'.
During the night, she wept and begged me not to leave
What can I do, sweet darlin', I don't want to go away
I'm struggling to find a way to stay with you because I don't want to leave
Looking at you sweet darlin', I know I want to stay
My desire to be with you is reinforced by seeing you
In the light of the day I was rolling home
During daytime hours I was traveling back to where I lived
I was thinking of you waiting on your own
My thoughts were of you being alone and waiting for me
And I wanted to call but then something said 'Oh no'.
I felt the urge to reach out to you, but an inner voice stopped me
Yeah but now it's a dream, it's a memory
Now, it's only a recollection of what once was
But I'll never forget what you gave to me
I'll always remember the gifts you bestowed upon me
I was lost and alone but you made me feel ok.
I felt adrift and solitary, but your presence comforted me
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
yo
Para mí , los mejores temas de Gerry Rafferty :
" Baker street "
" The Royal Mile "
" Right down the line "
" Get it right next time "
Gracias por subir esta hermosa , extraordinaria e imperecedera música.
Gerry ( R.I.P. )
Feliz año 2021.
Saludos desde Chile , Sudamérica.
John Johnston
Cant help but wonder, would the late, great Gerry have been a Yes man or a No man.
Personally, I think as much as he was a proud Scot, no more than I'm a proud Irishman (Northern), but do believe the UK is the UK and something worth keeping together.
To those who wanted Independence please, please think long and hard about it. Look at the mess we're in over here Its a SAD SAD joke.. Its a disaster here and believe me if that little egotistical man Salmond had his way, you, my Scottish cousins, would all be in as big a mess as we are here in 5 years or so.
I love Scotland and detest the Westminster elite. As much as I love our wee country, we are better off together!!!
Sláinte
Ronnie Brown
I know we all have different taste in music. but I cannot understand how some people say they don't like Gerry Rafferty. What's to not like his voice is sublime and his music pure . sadly missed but never forgotten and still listened to.
Susan Pimlott
Agreed , my music is rockabilly, ska and northern soul but Gerry Rafferty is one of the best
Keith Harvey
Well said Ron.
George David Herrera
I'm a divorced father. When I got divorced, I managed to obtain whole custody of my son. When I played this song on the stereo, I remember my little 3-year-old boy sitting on the stairs and singing "The Royal Mile" along with me... What a nice memory! Now the boy is a great musician..!
Anna Cook
Bring them up in the good stuff! ❤
Tate Martin
@Bowie Henrik Happy to help xD
Bowie Henrik
@Tate Martin It worked and I actually got access to my account again. I am so happy:D
Thank you so much you saved my ass :D
Tate Martin
@Bowie Henrik instablaster ;)
Tony Stanton
This man was one hell of an artist. Respect Gerry Rip top man.
Gerry Coogan
Thank you!
Oh!
You mean Gerry RAFFERTY?
Fair enough. He's great too.