The theme for today’s Song Lyric Sunday, as Jim tells us in his post Conducting A Performance, is to play songs performed with orchestras and/or choirs, which was the penultimate suggestion by Nancy, aka The Sicilian Storyteller in her ten week residency. They have all been great suggestions so far, but I can tell you now that next week’s isn’t going to be easy for me! But that is yet to come: we are still in this week, and I am playing you something which I think is rather special. I was intending to play you just one song this week but it is now going to be two, for reasons I’ll explain later.
My main choice for this week is one that I first played in December 2022. No doubt many of you will know the song, especially those in the UK as it is very much a folk standard here nowadays, and has even been a UK Singles chart hit. This version was made for the Crisis charity in 2017, specifically to raise funds for their efforts to provide food, accommodation and other support for homeless people: they do this all the year round, but place special emphasis on Christmas. A number of those they have supported appear in the video, as the ‘Crisis Choir,’ with guest vocals by Annie Lennox. Last week I played you a song which made some get the tissues out, and this may be the time to do that again:
The lyrics are heartfelt and meaningful:
Have you seen the old man In the closed down market Kicking up the papers With his worn out shoes?
In his eyes, you see no pride Hand held loosely at his side Yesterday’s paper Telling yesterday’s news
So, how can you tell me you’re lonely And say for you that the sun don’t shine? Let me take you by the hand And lead you through the streets of London Show you something to make you change your mind
Have you seen the old girl Who walks the streets of London Dirt in her hair And her clothes in rags?
She’s no time for talking She just keeps right on walking Carrying her home In two carrier bags
So, how can you tell me you’re lonely And say for you that the sun don’t shine? Let me take you by the hand And lead you through the streets of London Show you something to make you change your mind
In the all night cafe At a quarter past eleven Same old man Sitting there on his own
Looking at the world Over the rim of his tea cup Each tea lasts an hour And he wanders home alone
So, how can you tell me you’re lonely? Don’t say for you that the sun don’t shine Let me take you by the hand And lead you through the streets of London Show you something to make you change your mind
Have you seen the old man Outside the seaman’s mission Memory fading with The medal ribbons that he wears?
In our winter city The rain cries a little pity For one more forgotten hero And a world that doesn’t care
So, how can you tell me you’re lonely And say for you that the sun don’t shine? Let me take you by the hand And lead you through the streets of London I’ll show you something to make you change your mind
Ralph McTell originally recorded Streets Of London in 1969 for his Spiral Staircase album, but it wasn’t a UK single until a re-recorded version was released in 1974, after the first had been a top ten hit in the Netherlands. It reached #2 in the UK chart that year, and in his shows Ralph still introduces it by saying “now it is time for my greatest hit” – I know this, as I’ve seen him do it. Though this later version only peaked at #92 on the combined UK charts, the CD single was #1 in the Christmas 2017 Official Physical Singles Chart (for CD sales). The release marked fifty years of the Crisis charity’s work, which continues and is probably needed more now than ever.
I first played this in my annual Christmas event, as I think there are messages we shouldn’t overlook even at the time when we are anticipating the coming of the festive season. There is a reason Crisis concentrate a lot of their efforts around that time of year, when the homeless and lonely are even more likely than usual to need some support. The guys in this video may not be what you might think of as a traditional ‘choir,’ but there is no doubting the sincerity behind what they are doing. You can see whole lifetimes etched on their faces.
As I said at the outset, I had been planning just to play that one song today, but I’m adding a second. Last Wednesday the sole remaining original member of one of my all time favourite bands passed away: Mike Pinder, of the Moody Blues. The Moodies were the first to release an album which blended their music with an orchestra, in the shape of Days Of Future Passed, which was released in November 1967 and reached #3 in the US, though its highest ever UK chart position is a measly #27. Mike played keyboards for the band, and was responsible for introducing the mellotron into their music, which gave them their signature sound. For later albums they used the instrument to take the place of a real orchestra, but this one was recorded with the London Festival Orchestra. There is one obvious song from the album that I could play, but I’m not doing that. Mike wrote and sang vocals on The Sunset, the first part of the album’s Evening sequence, and this for me is a more appropriate tribute. It is also a perfect fit for the other part of today’s brief. This is that sequence in full:
R.I.P. Mike, and thank you for the music, which will live on as your legacy.
I’ve heard that first one … I don’t recall where, when, or how, but probably more than once, for it sounded so very familiar to me. And … I loved it so much that I listened a second time! I’ll pass on “Evening” … definitely NOT my favourite of the Moody Blues, but … that’s okay … the first one more than makes up for it. Thanks, Clive!
I guess you preferred the more tuneful Moodies songs, but that one is a fitting tribute to Mike. I’m pleased you liked the first one so much: the song is great and that performance was very special 😊
My aunt gave me Days of Future Passed for a birthday present. I’d never heard of the Moody Blues and I’m guessing she didn’t either and had just stopped and picked up something on the way over. All I was listening to at that point was bubblegum and pop and this album was like WOW! What have I just discovered?!? It was sad to learn about Mike Pinder 😦 Have you ever listened to Moody Bluegrass?
I liked the first song until this lyric: So, how can you tell me you’re lonely And say for you that the sun don’t shine? Let me take you by the hand And lead you through the streets of London Show you something to make you change your mind
I gut what he’s trying to say but the line just kind of struck me as being a bit judgmental.
Your aunt chose well for you! They become a band that stays with you, don’t they. I listened to the bluegrass version some years ago, I think, but I don’t recall any of it.
Interesting take on the Ralph McTell lyric – I think he was trying to draw people’s attention to the plight of those who are worse off, which in my eyes is no bad thing.
Great songs! Streets of London was an instant favorite of mine when I first heard it. I knew I had to have the CD.
I did see that about Mike from Moody Blues. A fitting tribute to him.
I’m glad you liked that one. Crisis have been doing amazing work for more than fifty years and that was perfect as a fundraiser for them. Apart from Ralph, everyone else you see in the video has been helped by them in some way.
‘Streets Of London’ does tend to put our petty bickerings into perspective. Powerful lyrics sung in a worldweary manner even back then.
The Moody Blues, even if only remembered for ‘Nights In White Satin’ would be them on a higher plane than 99 and a half percent of their contemporaries.
I have never watched American Idol. so that was difficult for me also. Great choice with Streets of London and this was my first-time hearing that. I am just hearing about Mike Pinder passing from your post, and I am surprised that it was not in any of my newsfeeds. Nice tribute, Clive and it brings back a lot of memories of being stoned and listening to Days Of Future Passed.
I’ve never watched it either: I think it might be on one of the minor channels here, the ones aimed at people whose age is greater than their IQ! I’ll do some more research but I’m not hopeful!
I thought Streets Of London might be new to an American audience, and this performance is very special. Mike didn’t get much coverage here either, which I find sad.
Thanks for the tip. As I’ve never heard of her I might not have found that! I’ve done some Wikipedia searching but haven’t yet found a detailed list of participants – I was hoping to find some I’d heard of amongst the guests. I’ll keep looking – wouldn’t want to break my run. Worst case scenario is that I bend the rules and play someone from the UK version – but they are mostly crap too!
I think it was a fitting treatment for the song from people who had experienced what Ralph was talking about, and I love the collection of smiles towards the end 😊
Perfect choices for the theme, Clive and a good choice of track as tribute for Mike Pinder sad loss but a good age at 82…I hope you are having a good weekend, Clive xx
Thank you, Carol, I’m glad you liked them. The tribute for Mike was a bit of an afterthought but it was right. It’s an ok weekend, thanks, hope you’ve enjoyed yours 😊 xx
This last month has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride for us so it’s no wonder Streets of London hit me like a punching bag to the gut. Even without my raw emotions, this song hits home every single time. How sad is it that these songs, as beautiful as they are, need to be written at all? There’s absolutely no excuse for being deprived of food, clothes, a roof; homelessness is the easiest problem to fix if only the big fat cats living in their mansions on top of the hill reached into their deep pockets and put their money where their big mouths are. No excuses.
How could we have an orchestral-themed Song Lyric Sunday without the legendary Moody Blues? It isn’t possible and I’m sure your tribute will not be the only one today. We all have our own personal Moody Blues story to tell, that’s how tightly they are threaded into the tapestries of our lives. RIP Mike. Rest easy with your brothers.
Thank you, Nancy. I didn’t know if you knew Streets Of London but this version seemed perfect for the theme you chose today. It touches so many emotions, and as you say it relates to a problem that should have been resolved in the 55 years since the song was first released. The homeless probably don’t vote, so they need someone to stand up for them.
That is actually the only Moody Blues album which qualifies for today – they used Mike’s Mellotron after this. I’ve loved the band since the outset, so a tribute was in order.
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I’ve heard that first one … I don’t recall where, when, or how, but probably more than once, for it sounded so very familiar to me. And … I loved it so much that I listened a second time! I’ll pass on “Evening” … definitely NOT my favourite of the Moody Blues, but … that’s okay … the first one more than makes up for it. Thanks, Clive!
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I guess you preferred the more tuneful Moodies songs, but that one is a fitting tribute to Mike. I’m pleased you liked the first one so much: the song is great and that performance was very special 😊
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Quite right! But you’re right that I’m sure it was a fitting tribute to Mike, and in that sense I appreciated it.
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Mike didn’t write or sing on many of their songs, so finding one on which he did both and which was a good fit for the SLS theme was a bonus!
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My aunt gave me Days of Future Passed for a birthday present. I’d never heard of the Moody Blues and I’m guessing she didn’t either and had just stopped and picked up something on the way over. All I was listening to at that point was bubblegum and pop and this album was like WOW! What have I just discovered?!? It was sad to learn about Mike Pinder 😦 Have you ever listened to Moody Bluegrass?
I liked the first song until this lyric:
So, how can you tell me you’re lonely
And say for you that the sun don’t shine?
Let me take you by the hand
And lead you through the streets of London
Show you something to make you change your mind
I gut what he’s trying to say but the line just kind of struck me as being a bit judgmental.
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Your aunt chose well for you! They become a band that stays with you, don’t they. I listened to the bluegrass version some years ago, I think, but I don’t recall any of it.
Interesting take on the Ralph McTell lyric – I think he was trying to draw people’s attention to the plight of those who are worse off, which in my eyes is no bad thing.
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Great songs! Streets of London was an instant favorite of mine when I first heard it. I knew I had to have the CD.
I did see that about Mike from Moody Blues. A fitting tribute to him.
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Streets Of London is Ralph’s best known song, but he has a whole catalogue of beautiful songs. This version is lovely, and so meaningful.
Thank you – I’ve been a Moodies fan since they started, and it felt the right thing to do , especially as it kept me on theme.
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I like that first video and how they used regular people to sing. A very good thing for the Crisis team to do. 🙂
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I’m glad you liked that one. Crisis have been doing amazing work for more than fifty years and that was perfect as a fundraiser for them. Apart from Ralph, everyone else you see in the video has been helped by them in some way.
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‘Streets Of London’ does tend to put our petty bickerings into perspective. Powerful lyrics sung in a worldweary manner even back then.
The Moody Blues, even if only remembered for ‘Nights In White Satin’ would be them on a higher plane than 99 and a half percent of their contemporaries.
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Ralph has said that he actually started writing the song during a trip to Paris, so it seems the issue is widespread.
Nights In White Satin is a classic, but there’s much more good music on that album, which is what I wanted to show with this.
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Yes, the streets of Everytown.
And yes, true.
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I was a Moody Blues fan and hadn’t read of Mike Pinder’s passing. My favourite album was Every Good Boy Deserves Favour. Loved Street of London too.
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It’s sad news, though it hasn’t had much coverage here. I couldn’t possibly choose a favourite of their albums: I loved them all.
That version of Streets Of London has all the feels, doesn’t it 😊
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Very much.
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I have never watched American Idol. so that was difficult for me also. Great choice with Streets of London and this was my first-time hearing that. I am just hearing about Mike Pinder passing from your post, and I am surprised that it was not in any of my newsfeeds. Nice tribute, Clive and it brings back a lot of memories of being stoned and listening to Days Of Future Passed.
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I’ve never watched it either: I think it might be on one of the minor channels here, the ones aimed at people whose age is greater than their IQ! I’ll do some more research but I’m not hopeful!
I thought Streets Of London might be new to an American audience, and this performance is very special. Mike didn’t get much coverage here either, which I find sad.
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You should look at the Meggie Iyer cover Of Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me”, as I think that might work for you.
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Thanks for the tip. As I’ve never heard of her I might not have found that! I’ve done some Wikipedia searching but haven’t yet found a detailed list of participants – I was hoping to find some I’d heard of amongst the guests. I’ll keep looking – wouldn’t want to break my run. Worst case scenario is that I bend the rules and play someone from the UK version – but they are mostly crap too!
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There used to be rules, but I changed them to suggestions, and I am fine with whatever you choose.
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Thank you for that. I’ll try to stick to the brief but it’s good to know there is leeway if I need it.
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I really liked that ‘choir version’ of Streets of London. It sounded bigger and bolder than the original.
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I think it was a fitting treatment for the song from people who had experienced what Ralph was talking about, and I love the collection of smiles towards the end 😊
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Perfect choices for the theme, Clive and a good choice of track as tribute for Mike Pinder sad loss but a good age at 82…I hope you are having a good weekend, Clive xx
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Thank you, Carol, I’m glad you liked them. The tribute for Mike was a bit of an afterthought but it was right. It’s an ok weekend, thanks, hope you’ve enjoyed yours 😊 xx
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Like yours mine was ok.. Trying to keep cool as its unusually hot xx
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Not a problem here! xx
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Yes I have heard xx
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This last month has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride for us so it’s no wonder Streets of London hit me like a punching bag to the gut. Even without my raw emotions, this song hits home every single time. How sad is it that these songs, as beautiful as they are, need to be written at all? There’s absolutely no excuse for being deprived of food, clothes, a roof; homelessness is the easiest problem to fix if only the big fat cats living in their mansions on top of the hill reached into their deep pockets and put their money where their big mouths are. No excuses.
How could we have an orchestral-themed Song Lyric Sunday without the legendary Moody Blues? It isn’t possible and I’m sure your tribute will not be the only one today. We all have our own personal Moody Blues story to tell, that’s how tightly they are threaded into the tapestries of our lives. RIP Mike. Rest easy with your brothers.
Thank you for a brilliant post today, Clive.
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Thank you, Nancy. I didn’t know if you knew Streets Of London but this version seemed perfect for the theme you chose today. It touches so many emotions, and as you say it relates to a problem that should have been resolved in the 55 years since the song was first released. The homeless probably don’t vote, so they need someone to stand up for them.
That is actually the only Moody Blues album which qualifies for today – they used Mike’s Mellotron after this. I’ve loved the band since the outset, so a tribute was in order.
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Streets of London is a firm favourite of mine, this version was so moving! xo
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It’s a classic, isn’t it. I love this version, hence the ‘hankies ready’ warning!
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Two wonderful choices and you’re correct Streets Of London is always a tear jerker this version even more so 💜 Moody Blues wonderful 💜
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Glad you liked them, Willow. They seemed right for the theme.
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Spot on 😀
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