Stree Corner Talkin'
Savoy Brown is a British blues band formed in the 1960s, originally known a… Read Full Bio ↴Savoy Brown is a British blues band formed in the 1960s, originally known as the Saveloy Brown Blues Band. Their 1969 single, Train to Nowhere (with singer Chris Youlden), was viewed by many as the last gasp of the blues scene in Great Britain. Although Savoy Brown never reached much acclaim in their home nation, they developed a loyal core following in the United States. In the 1960s and 1970s, the band managed to penetrate the Billboard Hot 100. Superstardom perpetually evaded them, perhaps in part because of their frequent lineup changes. Indeed, while the band is still active today, only one founding member, Kim Simmonds, has been with the band since the beginning. Guitarist "Lonesome" Dave Peverett, bassist Tony Stevens, and drummer Roger Earl went on to form Foghat. Original member and harmonica player John O'Leary is still active on the British blues circuit with The John O'Leary Band. Savoy Brown's first album, Shake Down, featured lead vocalist Bryce Portius. Portius was one of the first black blues musicians to be a part of a British rock band. Another singer, Dave Walker, would later join Fleetwood Mac and Black Sabbath.

Stree Corner Talkin'
Savoy Brown Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Came to the city, left my happy home
Came to the city, left my happy home
But I didn't do right, learned my lessons wrong

Street corner talking, wonder what I'm gonna do
Street corner talking, wonder what I'm gonna do
If you can't get a job, council will take of you
It's the same what a shame, no matter where you go
It's the same what a shame, no matter where you go
People wonder what to do, too much time for me and you

Street corner talking, wonder what I'm gonna do




Street corner talking, wonder what I'm gonna do
If you can't get a job, council will take of you

Overall Meaning

The opening lines of Savoy Brown's "Street Corner Talkin'" convey a sense of displacement and regret. The singer has given up a happy home to move to the city, but something went wrong. The exact nature of the wrongdoing is left unspecified, but it's clear that the singer is in a difficult position. The second verse introduces the concept of "street corner talking," which suggests a gathering of disaffected people, perhaps those who are unemployed or homeless. The singer is now wondering what to do in this situation, perhaps feeling lost and overwhelmed.


The final lines of the song suggest a sense of resignation - no matter where you go, it seems, there will always be people struggling to find their place in the world. The council, represented here as a kind of social safety net, may offer some support, but it's a tenuous solution at best. It's worth noting that the song was released in 1971, a time of great social upheaval and economic change in the UK. Unemployment was high, and many young people were disillusioned with the political and social structures of the day. "Street Corner Talkin'" speaks to this sense of disillusionment and highlights the precariousness of life for many people at the time.


Line by Line Meaning

Came to the city, left my happy home
I came to the city and left the place I was happy to live in


But I didn't do right, learned my lessons wrong
Unfortunately, I made poor choices and didn't learn what I should have


Street corner talking, wonder what I'm gonna do
I'm just chatting with folks on the corner, trying to figure out my next move


If you can't get a job, council will take of you
If you're unable to secure a job, the council will provide assistance


It's the same what a shame, no matter where you go
Regardless of where you are, it's disheartening the way things are going


People wonder what to do, too much time for me and you
Individuals are uncertain about the next steps, and we all have too much time on our hands




Lyrics Š BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: KIM SIMMONDS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@sweetmisery75

Street Corner Talking Lyrics
Kim Simmonds-Chrysalis Music Ltd.

Came to the city, left my happy home
Came to the city, left my happy home

But I didn't do right, learned my lessons wrong
Street Corner Talking, wonder what I'm gonna do
Street Corner Talking, wonder what I'm gonna do
If you can't get a job, council will take of you

It's the same what a shame, no matter where you go
It's the same what a shame, no matter where you go
People wonder what to do, too much time for me and you

Street Corner Talking, wonder what I'm gonna do
Street Corner Talking, wonder what I'm gonna do
If you can't get a job, council will take of you



All comments from YouTube:

@francoisbouvier7861

I don't know if this is just me. Seems to remind me of Fleetwood Mac in the Peter Green Era. Very clean soulful. Deserve way more recognition.

@michaelulbricht9438

Kim Simmonds, one of the great Blues rock players. This entire album is excellent. A minor masterpiece.

@teeceemoo

Major masterpiece Saw this tour

@frankrivers4653

This is one of the few guitar riffs I learned when I first got into guitar in my late teens early twenties. I'm still playing it... fifty years later...

@claysnyder7300

Scrumptious Melody and beautiful guitar work glad you're catching on and playing it

@PlanetRockJesus

Me too!

@wangbar1

You aren’t the only one. The reason is because IT’S BADASS!!!

@ferranmf6652

I love this song from this amazing album lost in time. Thanks for sharing it with everyone.

@jerryjazzbo2845

Another one of those classic songs where that 'riff' just stays in your head.

@smokebury4624

cant even begin how many time me & friends partied to this record in the days man still kicks!

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