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)
Whatever's Written In Your Heart
Gerry Rafferty Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I swore last time that I would stay away
I came down here to talk to you
I said this time I might get through.
I heard us speak but all the words were dead
We talked all night and left it all unsaid
So we agree to disagree
At least we got our memory.
Whatever's written in your heart, that's all that matters
You'll find a way to say it all someday (yeah)
Whatever's written in your heart, that's all that matters
Yeah, night and day, night and day.
You've got your secrets yeah and I've got mine
We've played this game now for a long long time
You don't lean on anyone
You never had no place to run.
You never wanted me to get too close
We love and hate the ones we need the most
I tried to find a way to you
One thing I could say to you.
Whatever's written in your heart, that's all that matters
You'll find a way to say it all someday (yeah)
Whatever's written in your heart, that's all that matters
Yeah, night and day, night and day.
Maybe I've always set my sights too high
You take the easy way and still get by
I know there ain't no special way
We all get there anyway.
I heard us speak but all the words were dead
Talked all night and left it all unsaid
So we agree to disagree
At least we got our memory.
Whatever's written in your heart, that's all that matters
You'll find a way to say it all someday (yeah)
Whatever's written in your heart, that's all that matters
Yeah, night and day, night and day.
Yeah, night and day and day
Yeah, night and day and day (whatever's written in your heart)
The song "Whatever's Written In Your Heart" by Gerry Rafferty speaks about the struggle to communicate with someone you deeply care about, but find it hard to connect with. The song starts with the singer trying to reconnect with someone with whom he/she had previously had a falling out. The singer seems to have come a long way to meet this person and hopes that this time they will be able to reconcile.
However, the conversation between them proves to be difficult, and even though they speak for a long time, they are unable to say what they really want to say. They both have secrets and feel that they cannot reveal them to each other. Despite this, they both know that although they don't agree on everything, they still share memories.
The chorus of the song suggests that what really matters is what is in the heart, and that someday the words will come out. The second verse of the song suggests that the singer is trying to understand why he/she couldn't connect with this person before. In the end, the song is about acceptance, and the singer knows that they might not have a perfect relationship, but whatever is in their hearts is enough.
Line by Line Meaning
Wakin' up here on a rainy day
Starting the day in gloomy weather
I swore last time that I would stay away
Deciding not to return again but failed
I came down here to talk to you
Intentionally visiting to have a conversation
I said this time I might get through.
Hopeful for a successful communication
We talked all night and left it all unsaid
Conversing but not discussing the important matters
So we agree to disagree
Accepting that different opinions exist
At least we got our memory.
Acknowledging that the conversation happened
Whatever's written in your heart, that's all that matters
What you truly believe in is significant
You'll find a way to say it all someday (yeah)
You will eventually express your true feelings
You've got your secrets yeah and I've got mine
Both parties have their undisclosed thoughts
We've played this game now for a long long time
Having an unproductive communication style for a while
You don't lean on anyone
Refusing to ask for help or support
You never had no place to run.
Not having a suitable escape route
You never wanted me to get too close
Keeping a distance and not being vulnerable
We love and hate the ones we need the most
Feeling complex emotions for the people most important to us
I tried to find a way to you
Attempting to establish a connection
One thing I could say to you.
Trying to find the right words to express oneself
Maybe I've always set my sights too high
Expecting too much from oneself
You take the easy way and still get by
Opting for the simpler options in life
I know there ain't no special way
Knowing that there is no foolproof method
Yeah, night and day, night and day.
Referring to the ongoing nature of life
Yeah, night and day and day
Continuing the theme of life's continuous cycle
Yeah, night and day and day (whatever's written in your heart)
Reiterating the importance of inner beliefs
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: GERALD RAFFERTY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
陳威廷
Wakin' up here on a rainy day
I swore last time that I would stay away
I came down here to talk to you
I said this time I might get through.
I heard us speak but all the words were dead
We talked all night and left it all unsaid
So we agree to disagree
At least we got our memory.
Whatever's written in your heart, that's all that matters
You'll find a way to say it all someday (yeah)
Whatever's written in your heart, that's all that matters
Yeah, night and day, night and day.
You've got your secrets yeah and I've got mine
We've played this game now for a long long time
You don't lean on anyone
You never had no place to run.
You never wanted me to get too close
We love and hate the ones we need the most
I tried to find a way to you
One thing I could say to you.
Whatever's written in your heart, that's all that matters
You'll find a way to say it all someday (yeah)
Whatever's written in your heart, that's all that matters
Yeah, night and day, night and day.
Maybe I've always set my sights too high
You take the easy way and still get by
I know there ain't no special way
We all get there anyway.
I heard us speak but all the words were dead
Talked all night and left it all unsaid
So we agree to disagree
At least we got our memory.
Whatever's written in your heart, that's all that matters
You'll find a way to say it all someday (yeah)
Whatever's written in your heart, that's all that matters
Yeah, night and day, night and day.
Yeah, night and day and day
Yeah, night and day and day (whatever's written in your heart)
rickytleg
I'm a 68 year old guy, a massive Gerry Rafferty fan, and every time I hear this song it brings me to tears. This guy was a genius, no mistake!
Miram McKay
I am 69years young and this album takes me back to the late 70's ,80's when Bill and Sue Hutst were my friends!
Angela Broach
I love Jerry I love bakers street
Kasie Renee
29 here and love it
herebysayi
Sometimes a man produces music that other men don't want to admit is 'moving'. This man moves me to tears with his music......
JC B
Great honest comment in a world of selfish self absorbed people bleeting about their rights to not wear masks when women cannot go to school or be out alone, where children starve, where people live without hope. Peace, love and life to ALL.
Richard Sparks
Gerry Rafferty has many songs on my Amazon Prime play list called Monty’s Songs. My older brother by 10 years passed away in 2003 at 43. My best friend and I miss him dearly. We used to listen to City to City in his truck when he would take me to car shows. Definitely gives me chills hearing that voice.
James Dunnachie
@Jane Friel Jane, also if you listen to frankie miller. Totally can't believe how brilliant these two were 💚💚
Jane Friel
@James Dunnachie When you absolutely wish a singer/ songwriter was still around. It sounds profoundly selfish and it is.☘
James Dunnachie
I'm getting a bit obsessed with gerrys music. Absolutely underrated. Sung from the heart. 💚