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)
Why Won't You Talk To Me
Gerry Rafferty Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've done nothing wrong that I can see.
You know I can't take this silence, tell me what's wrong with you
If I'm supposed to feel guilty, tell me what did I do
It must be a reason for you acting this way
But I swear I won't know it 'til you come out and say.
Why won't you talk to me
I don't know why I'm trying to break down this wall
That you build up between us or nothing at all
It feels like a bad dream, it feels like a game
But I swear this is one time that I'm not to blame.
Why won't you talk to me
I've done nothing wrong that I can see.
The lyrics of the song "Why Won't You Talk To Me" by Gerry Rafferty convey the frustration and confusion of a person who is being ignored by their significant other. The first verse expresses the singer's confusion about why their partner is not speaking to them, insisting that they have not done anything wrong that they are aware of. The second verse reveals the singer's growing desperation to understand the reason behind the silence, even to the point of feeling guilty without knowing what they did wrong. The chorus is a plea for the partner to break their silence and communicate with the singer.
The third verse finds the singer trying to understand the root of the problem and the wall that their partner has built up between them. The metaphor of a bad dream and a game shows the singer's frustration in dealing with this situation. Finally, the singer reiterates that they are not to blame, implying that they want their partner to take some responsibility for the situation they are in.
Line by Line Meaning
Why won't you talk to me
Asking for an explanation on why the other person is refusing to communicate
I've done nothing wrong that I can see.
Assuring that there is no apparent reason for the silent treatment
You know I can't take this silence, tell me what's wrong with you
Expressing discomfort with the lack of communication and requesting clarity on the situation
If I'm supposed to feel guilty, tell me what did I do
Asking for accountability if there is a specific issue that needs to be addressed
It must be a reason for you acting this way
Acknowledging that there may be a motive for the other person's behavior
But I swear I won't know it 'til you come out and say.
Appealing to the other person to communicate so that the true issue can be understood
I don't know why I'm trying to break down this wall
Confessing confusion about why the singer is struggling to connect with the other person
That you build up between us or nothing at all
Implying that the wall either needs to be dismantled, or there will be no relationship at all
It feels like a bad dream, it feels like a game
Describing the situation as surreal and uncertain
But I swear this is one time that I'm not to blame.
Insisting that the artist has not caused the problem this time and is not responsible for the lack of communication
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: G. RAFFERTY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tonys2bay448
Mr Gerry tickles everything right!!!!
@andrenamckenzie2789
Love this song, pure legend Rip ❤
@marxam6671
Unappreciated in his lifetime. Genius.
@lifeslessons9889
Yep … such a waste 😔.
@tisneyherenorthere
The Celtic overtones are spellbinding, haunting, mournful, and unforgettable. Wondering why it took so long for me to dig deeper into his collection. Thank God we have the music captured on tape!
@daveinprogress3
It's beautiful music isn't it? He was one of a kind.
@lizvansickle452
I 100% agree Chris...I was only at that time, interested in what was played on the radio...which wasn't nearly enough of his incredible music...Now so many years later, I am appreciating the genius and very gifted talent of Gerry Rafferty.
@ethelmertz1477
I was 21 when I first heard Baker Street. I loved it and I loved the voice of the singer but I had never heard of him. Then another song from the same singer came out that I really loved was Get It Right Next Time and that song is what made me go out and by the album Night Owl. My very first Gerry Rafferty album. BUT........track 4 on that album is what made me fall in love with him and he became my favorite singer of all time. Why Won’t You Talk To Me is my favorite song from him. I can listen to it over and over which I did when I first got the album so many years ago. I still have it. I wish I could have seen him in person. Thank you for putting this song up. Even though I can go to my record player and play the album right now. ❤️ My heart hurts so bad he died at my age now. RIP GERRY! You were, are and forever will be the best voice I have ever heard.
@benvincent24
Several of his songs fit so well with a relationship that was like no others. This one? We didn't talk when it ended. And all these years later you still haven't completely talked it through.
@joymoore1904
Prolific artist and songwriter. ❤