Band’s Impersonation of ICON on Parody Hit was So Good…Everyone Thought it was HIM-Professor of Rock

[@ProfessorofRock]

Poll: What is your pick for the FUNNIEST SONG of the Rock Era?

[@peterd.9978]

Institutionalized - Suicidal Tendencies

[@TerrickTerran]

White and Nerdy Weird Al

[@christineml1476]

Weird Al's "One More Minute" from "Dare to be Stupid".

[@williambarry8015]

Zappa Valley Girl

[@Lam_3-22-23]

May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose- Jimmy Dickens Along Came Jones- The Coasters Where's the Dress- Moe Bandy/ Joe Stampley

I remember when the song came out. Not once did we think it was Dylan.

[@gdholmfirth]

Absolutely. This is the first time I have ever heard anyone say it sounded like Dylan. People who weren't there shouldn't try to tell us what we thought at the time.

[@darleneschneck]

I’m 67 and have always loved this happy-go-lucky song. I never thought that was Dylan singing! I kinda hear that now, but I don’t remember anyone saying that.

[@nicholaspanos2602]

We have an acord!!

[@PatriciaCroninParker-x4h]

I know that song. Nobody thought it was dylan. Who is STILL annoying ​@nicholaspanos2602

[@JonFrumTheFirst]

I'm 69, remember the song well, and it never occured to me that it sounded like Dylan. Not the voice, and certainly not the arrangement.

[@JimFortune]

70 here. Also loved the song, and like Dylan (Not Dylan Thomas, whoever he was.)

[@miguelEguzman]

The man ain't got no culture.

[@debbie4503]

I remember my late Brother asking me who put out Baker Street. I told him Gerry Rafferty. He loved that song. Every time I hear it, I think of my Big Brother. RIP JAMES.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

For sure!

[@james-jg8iu]

Sorry for your loss prayers

[@lisachauvin]

I’ve always loved that song and never in a million years would I have thought the singer sounded like Bob Dylan

[@MsArtemis64]

I feel like I have learned so much today~haha! I never knew who sang this song and I would have never guessed it was Gerry Rafferty. Now that Bob Dylan is mentioned, I can hear it and I will never be able to un-hear it!

[@mbgrafix]

@@lisachauvin Gee...has anybody let Bob know?

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Bob Dylan has never sounded like that. People are crazy.

[@theclearsounds3911]

I was 13 years old when that song came out, and I NEVER heard even the slightest similarity to Bob Dylan. Even when it's brought up, I still can't hear it.

[@beenaplumber8379]

He does a great Dylan in this song, except he sings a little higher. I was only 6 or 7 when it came out, and I loved it then and now. I always thought it was Dylan until Reservoir Dogs. If "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" sounds like Elvis, this can sound like Dylan. 😛 Who it really doesn't sound like is Gerry Rafferty.

[@buzzcut9breeze653]

I am a huge Dylan fan since I was 13 in 1967. I am also a Gerry Rafferty fan and like all that he did, not enough of it. But I have never thought for one minute that he sounded like Dylan on that song. Now that you mention it, yes; it does have a nasally Dylanesque quality. But I myself never even picked it up until now. To me; they are two very different distinct voices.

[@drewtheunspoken3988]

The similarity occurred to me, but I never thought it was Dylan. I just thought, "This guy sounds a little bit like Dylan." There's some tonal similarities, but the intonation is different from Dylan's.

[@Hexon66]

I can get it now, because it's been suggested. But still a stretch. Plus, it's a bit too poppy a song to immediately jump to thinking Dylan.

[@noelstafford7266]

Sanity in here

[@janattaaya]

This is the first time I heard he parodied Dylan on purpose on this song. Gerry Rafferty has always sung like this.

[@mbgrafix]

I have _LOVED,_ *Stuck In The Middle With You* since I first heard it back in 1973 when I was just nine years old. Super hooky sound...absolutely unforgettable! Also...when Cheryl Crow released the song, "All I Wanna Do", it's sound _immediately_ reminded me of "Stuck In The Middle With You"!

[@ForrestGreen-bi9nj]

I feel ya, I was 10

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Indeed!

[@kimschannel5567]

Yes! It definitely has similarities! I am curious to know if that was intentional by Cheryl.

[@mbgrafix]

@kimschannel5567 Indeed...it would be great if a knowledgeable musician chimed in and pointed out why the one song is somewhat reminiscent of the other.

[@Martini24x7]

I came here to say the same thing about the Sheryl Crow song…

[@georgemathie8123]

Gerry Rafferty is one of those rare talents who had such a gift of songwriting and tragically he won't be able to live to see how much of an impact his music had on all of us

[@Au60schild]

"Was". Like any good Scotsman he dank himself to death.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

He passed away so young. R.I.P.

[@georgemathie8123]

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 he did and.city to city is such a special album to me it's an album that my dad played for me when I was a little kid and city to city came out on my birth year as well he has an amazing discography here a few later albums for you to check out night owl from 1979, sleepwalking from 1982; north and south from 1988, and another world from 2001 here are a few to get ya going

[@Au60schild]

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 Agreed for Gerry to be sure but don't all of us pass away too young?

[@Slinger43]

​@@Au60schildSo true, everybody wants to go to Heaven, but no one wants to go right now 😉

[@doughamel150]

NEVER EVER THOUGHT THAT SOUNDED ANYTHING LIKE DYLAN.... BUT LOVED THE RIFF OF THE TUNE

[@soaringvulture]

It sounded more like John Lennon to me.

[@tedbecker4051]

Love this song. A few years back, I was listening to "Baker Street" and realized how much I enjoyed Gerry Rafferty's vocals, so I checked out more of his music on KZbin. I was pleasantly surprised that he recorded a lot of great music, some as good or better than his big hits. Thanks for another great episode, Professor.

[@markmoretti4533]

Here's an embarrassing statement to make...at 61... I always thought it was a Beatles song and the lead vocal was John Lennon.😞

[@LazyIRanch]

I need to do some deep dives and listen to his music! I've only heard the hits, but I can tell that I'm going to like his music that I haven't heard yet too. Any suggestions that you especially enjoy? I find so much good music from suggestions made by other "music junkies", especially on this channel. Many serious and knowledgeable music fans here that know what they're talking about!

[@tedbecker4051]

@LazyIRanch - My favorite albums are City to City and Night Owls. City to City has his biggest hits, Baker Street and Right Down the Line. Home and Dry is another great song from this album. Night Owls has my favorite Gerry Rafferty song on it, Days Gone Down. Both are excellent albums.

[@aidanwilson6035]

@@LazyIRanch I would recommend Gerry's solo tracks , 'Get it right next time' , 'Right down the line' and 'Night owl' , also , Stealers Wheel , 'Star' and 'Shoeshine boy' by the Humblebums that came earlier which included the Scottish comedian , Billy Connolly , now retired in Florida !.

[@Gunners_Mate_Guns]

One that I find particularly compelling from Gerry is "Home and Dry."

[@sheryljohnson5906]

Truly love Stealers Wheel and Gerry Raferty! Grew up with stuck in the middle with you and was coming of age with Baker street ! True ❤️ of my life !!

[@BrentCox-m3r]

Absolutely love Gerry Rafferty! “Right Down The Line” is one of my love songs for my wife. Cool story Professor!🤘🔥

[@ProfessorofRock]

He has such a cool voice.

[@VicHockeyFan]

Ooooooooh, ya.

[@mikek5958]

One of the greatest love songs ever written.

[@marktait2371]

bonnie raitts cover is really great also with her slide guitar

[@ChadGriffey-w9m]

For me as well. What an amazing love song. A true talent.

[@benhammond6393]

This is why you are the Professor of Rock. I leave class every day with my head filled with more interesting knowledge...unlike my time at university.

[@CarolynMurie]

My brother introduced me to Stealers Wheel in the 70's. I came back to Gerry later in my life when I just needed feel-good music to get through my work day. He is my go-to when I am blocking out the world and wanting to be productive. There is something in his music that sings to my soul. Thanks for this. I never knew that about Bob Dylan and never put it together. Love it!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Very cool!

[@crusheverything4449]

Gerry.

[@dannykent6190]

Rafferty is one of my absolute favorite musicians. Such a pure voice. Genius orchestration. And indeed is the primary reason I bought a sax.

[@ProfessorofRock]

So cool!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

What’s your favorite sax solo?

[@kpb58]

Great story on Gerry Rafferty and Stealers Wheel, Adam. Well presented. With your love of music, you always get to the heart of the story. Thanks, Adam.

[@wcoleman99]

I always love the stories that Billy Connolly tells when it comes to playing in a band with Gerry Rafferty

[@damonrobus-clarke533]

The Humblebums?

[@paultaylor7082]

@@damonrobus-clarke533 Correct

[@willmfrank]

"We smoked a Bible..."

[@brianvernon249]

I’ve wondered if Craig Ferguson popped in and out of their circle.

[@kevstacey8639]

@@brianvernon249 Craig Ferguson is roughly twenty years younger than Billy Connolly but I wouldn't be surprised if they have met at some point.

[@michaelbaucom4019]

Gerry Rafferty's " Get It Right Next Time " is superb, overshadowed by " Baker Street ", and the song in today's video. RIP

[@ProfessorofRock]

So true!

[@damonrobus-clarke533]

Love Night Owl as well.

[@randyhimburg7915]

OMG YES YES YES!!!!!! Get it right next time is probably my favorite song by Gerry Raferty. I heard it on an internet radio station and I actually called and got through and had to know the song. I found it here on youtube, played it atleast 20 times, then went to Amazon and bought it. It is on my daily playlist.

[@randyhimburg7915]

@@ProfessorofRock You should do an episode on Get it right next time.

[@angrytater2456]

Those videos in the studio for "Get It Right Next Time", and "Days Gone Down", etc. are awesome. It's fitting, because the studio was where Rafferty felt at home. It certainly wasn't on stage.

[@paulendicott9151]

I loved that and all of Jerry Rafferty's music. I didn't know they were both fearfully or the stage. They made such wonderful music 🎶.

[@ProfessorofRock]

I agree. Thanks Paul!

[@AlanRafferty]

Joe had no fear of the stage. Absolutely none. Gerry was uncomfortable with live performances, but definitely not scared of them. He preferred the studio to the stage.

[@christineml1476]

RIP JD Souther. I listened to "Black Rose" with my coffee this morning. What an incredible talent he was.

[@Whisper_292]

😢

[@williambarry8015]

I just did a wiki search on that record. Theres a billion heavy hitters that worked on that record. RIP🙏🙏

[@AnnaTrail-xp8pr]

I listen to his stuff last night

[@ProfessorofRock]

I was so sad to hear this. I'm so grateful I got to do a 2 hour interview with him last year!

[@christineml1476]

@@ProfessorofRock It was such a great interview.

[@Sheldon-yc5uh]

Thanks Prof. I've been on a bit of of Gerry Rafferty binge the last few months, I can't get enough of Waiting for the day and Get it right next time. He was well and truly underrated and a whole lot more than just his big hits.

[@bradleys4941]

an all time classic song lyric....."clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right,,,stuck in the middle with you"

[@ProfessorofRock]

I agree. Killer chorus!

[@AnnaTrail-xp8pr]

Yep

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

It’s a hilarious lyric.

[@davidhinkson8856]

Never knew "Stuck in the Middle with You" began life as a parody. The comedic element is no surprise though because I read that Gerry Rafferty and Billy Connolly worked together in their younger days. I recall Hubba Bubba bubblegum as well as Bubbilicious and Bubble Yum when I was a child.

[@craigvanoosten4804]

You are correct about Gerry & Billy, they had a folk group called The Humblebums. Gerry was also a great prankster, according to Billy - he tells a wonderful story on-stage about a prank call incident that Gerry did when they were waiting to go on stage together in the early days.

[@flyteoffancy]

Gerry Rafferty is so much more than Baker Street, and one of the saddest stories in rock and roll. He is underrated and under appreciated as one of the finest songwriters and most beautiful voices in the history of rock.

[@ProfessorofRock]

I totally agree. What should we cover next?

[@flyteoffancy]

@@ProfessorofRock1) A deep dive on the epic City to City - Home and Dry is how I fell in love with GR, I was a little girl sick in bed listening to my tiny am transistor radio when it came on and mesmerized me. Or 2) his last album, Another World - so much drama around it and his final months when he disappeared. It was early internet days, and his website and interaction with his fans was amazing, going right to the fans to promote the album. I had to order it from the website and have it shipped to Canada. He signed off every message in the chat room with, “your friend and mine, Gerry”. I was devastated when he disappeared and then died, and I love how his daughter Martha has continued to promote his music and legacy. My very favourite song ever is The Way It Always Starts, from the film Local Hero, written by Mark Knopfler and sublimely sung by Gerry; and my favourite album is his North and South, absolute perfection. So yes, MORE GERRY PLEASE!!

[@mournblade1066]

@@ProfessorofRock I agree with flyteoffancy--you should cover the entire _City to City_ album. "Mattie's Rag" is the hidden gem on that one.

[@jillwklausen]

​@@ProfessorofRock, David Cassidy. Don't laugh. His fan club was bigger than the Beatles. He did what even the Who couldn't do and sold out Wembley Stadium two nights in a row. His voice was the male equivalent of Karen Carpenter. Talk about underrated.

[@jillwklausen]

Agreed!

[@michaelolz]

I love that song. I think it’s got one of the most inventive and rich rhythm I’ve ever heard. So much of it! I’ve not heard anything like it since.

[@rogertemple7193]

I've heard Stealers Wheel's Stuck in the Middle with You so many times in the 70's and 80's on the radio and the video of it on VH1 i really enjoyed Gerry's solo music thank you for the memories of Classic Rock n Roll Professor.🎶🎤🎸🎸🎹🥁🎶

[@ProfessorofRock]

You got it!

[@robertcameron3709]

This is an excellent piece. Heartfelt and warm. Joe Egan was talented but Gerry Rafferty was heaven sent. He should be placed at the top table of singer/songwriters of the last 60 years.

[@josephcooter5763]

This was one of those songs that I remember them playing on the radio from time to time years after they were popular. This as well as It Never Rains in California and I'M NOT In Love

[@ProfessorofRock]

Very cool! Thanks for sharing

[@TheVideoLounge]

Good for you Adam, you actually read and reply to comments here, and for someone with over 1m subscribers that's very impressive 👍

[@GylesJohnson]

Gerry Rafferty and Harry Nilssontwo geniuses who tragically lost their fight against alcohol. Gone but never forgotten❤

[@timothymarkin4481]

Both of whom were played in Reservoir Dogs

[@guyfaux3978]

He couldn't give up the booze and the one-night stands...

[@EphemeralProductions]

@@guyfaux3978yep. I’m pretty sure that song was autobiographical. Same with night owl.

[@guyfaux3978]

@@EphemeralProductions It's about moving to London and crashing with a friend after having a hit with Stuck In The Middle, but because of trouble with the label, his career was stuck in the mire. He DID succeed in buying some land and settling down in some quiet little town, but I suppose he couldn't forget everything.

[@EphemeralProductions]

@@guyfaux3978 seemingly not. :)

[@folthorn]

Sheryl Crow's "All I Wanna Do" sounds eerily similar to "Stuck in the Middle"

[@ProfessorofRock]

I totally agree!

[@amyrussell860]

Yes, it kinda does.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Great song!

[@timmcm9538]

Sheryl Crowe stole it off this band like a decade after them. They had too much stage fright to say anything about it. She was scary too!

[@luistrevino6229]

Been saying that for years

[@jakeoncall]

I still remember when this song came out. It was so funny it made me laugh the first time I heard it. Feeling stuck in the middle is something I think we all can relate to. Reminds me of the TV show, "Malcolm in the Middle". My favorite line, "Is it cool to go to sleep on the floor?" and the way he sings "floor" as "FLAW". Perfect!

[@modelcitizen8731]

Gerry has been part of my life since i was born, my mum had city to city and night owl on vinyl and i played em to death when i was a kid, still got both albums and still love them

[@barbarajansen4912]

I always loved Gerry's voice. I had a musician boyfriend whose voice had identical qualities, especially in the song "Right Down The Line". I bought the album and I liked "Baker Street" also. His smooth velvety vocals touched my heart. I currently belong to a musicians group here in RI and I have heard them jam to "Stuck In The Middle With You". Everyone loves this song!

[@geoffstrickler]

Damn it, you’ve made me cry…from the memories and sense of loss of the talents of Gerry Rafferty and Joe Egan. I’m a subscriber, and frequent listener, and rarely do your tales bring tears to my eyes, but you’ve done it this time. Keep going, Professor.

[@Marketsolo]

That song was epic!! Loved it!

[@ProfessorofRock]

So good!

[@SandiBee-rf3te]

Gerry was also part of a Glasgow-based duo called The Humblebums in the late '60s. The other half of the duo was the hilarious and talented Billy Connolly

[@derekarmstrong1408]

"Right Down the Line" is really a great song, and certainly could have used more of a mention!

[@ProfessorofRock]

I will cover it!

[@luvastandardbred8270]

I love stuck in the Middle with you. I turn it way up when every time it comes on the radio. I also loved Gerry Rafferty and I had at least one of his albums. Still do.

[@Billybopper1]

So glad you did a story on Stealers Wheel! I was kind of late to the party finding a record sleeve of the first album with no record in it in a thrift store back in ‘91. Since I was a fan of Gerry when my mom gave me a copy of his first solo album when I was 9 years old. I was on a quest to find the first album of Stealers Wheel finding a copy at a hole in the wall record store in Fountain Valley, CA. The wife of the owner was a fan and she invited me (and my twin brother) to their house to show us her collection of Gerry’s work. We left with 8 records which included his early work with Billy Connolly and the New Humble Bums. Great stuff! If you get a chance, try to get an interview with Billy. He’s in his eighties, but who knows maybe he might want to reminisce about his old pal and his days working with him.

[@19mychaellee71]

Thanks, Prof. This one is great. I grew up on Stealer's Wheel and Gerry Rafferty. I was one of the kids that was fooled by his Dylan impersonation.

[@dranet47]

I still have my original 45 of this song. Definitely a childhood favorite. :)

[@ProfessorofRock]

Classic! Can't believe I've never covered it till now!

[@samkistner]

Your Channel is OFF THE CHARTS!!! It's Great! So informative! And your Delivery of the content as a Host is Brilliant!!!

[@dishmanw]

I love "Baker Street" and "Right Down the Line".

[@ProfessorofRock]

Both are classics!

[@lepoetress]

Loved Baker Street as a kid. All those years of loving this song and I wind up married to a man with the last name of Baker, the irony ... 😂

[@WilliamChristian-lx2pb]

Right Down The Line is beautiful. Great lyrics, too. But Stuck In The Middle With You will live on way past us.

[@normamcneill151]

You should listen to moonlight and gold beautiful song and his voice is just magical

[@TheKBK2]

Never made the connection with Dylon, now that I’ve seen this I can’t un-hear it. Love your channel and all the music knowledge you have. You sir are an icon in the music trivia world.

[@TerrickTerran]

It's a great song and the wild story of course makes it that much more interesting.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Agreed. Would've loved to have been a fly on the wall at that party!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I love the story behind this.

[@scottburton9701]

"Stuck In The Middle With You" is the ultimate homage to Bob Dylan-A certifiable classic!

[@drumdad54sdl47]

I own most of Gerry's music & enjoy it very much. Snakes & Ladders is a favorite, of which there are many. Wise As A Serpent from Sleepwalking is a brooding masterpiece.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Well said!

[@Frankie5Angels150]

By “own” you mean you get the royalties and residuals? How’d you manage that? That’s what “owning” music means, BTW 😜‼️

[@barackmycat9448]

Gerry has a voice with songs everyone I knew loved!

[@lorirose3846]

I really liked their music. They sounded so good together.

[@ProfessorofRock]

I agree. Though I love GERRY's solo career!

[@chrisbenson6683]

Their voices were similar and blended incredibly well. They sound almost like brothers.

[@dianewilliams1125]

Stuck in the middle with you is one of those songs that I've repeatedly sang throughout my life. I just so identify with it so much! Love,love,love! 😅😅😅❤❤❤

[@toddhutchins2492]

I always loved this song. I was invited to a Girl Scout dance when I was about 13 or 14 by a girlfriend, but we broke up before the dance. Since I was invited, I went anyway. I wound up dancing to this song with an old neighbor who moved some years before. It still brings back those fond memories.

[@jimflores9098]

Hey Prof, so glad you got the chance to meet and interview the great JD Souther. RIP to a brilliant artist and a cool dude.

[@SH-fm5eu]

Here comes Michael Madsen with the gas can!

[@donwarrington4916]

🤣

[@ProfessorofRock]

Ha ha!

[@edlawn5481]

I can never hear that song without thinking of that scene. Damn you, Tarantino!

[@AnnaTrail-xp8pr]

​@@edlawn5481I know right

[@michaelharrington75]

Mr Blonde

[@HensleyDon]

The vocals to "Stuck in the Middle" always reminded me more of John Lennon.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Right on!

[@Frankie5Angels150]

So much so that (before smart phones ruined great b.s. stories with instant fact checks…) I believed for years that Gerry Rafferty had been discovered playing John Lennon in the London production of “Beatlemania.” A DJ had said it on the radio and I had no reason not to believe it for decades. I had heard a similar story about Marshall Crenshaw being in the NY cast of Beatlemania, also playing Lennon. Neither, as it turns out, is true. DAMN you instant internet! Next you’re going to tell me that neither of them played Lenin in “Start the Revolution Without Me”! 😆😂🤣

[@kimschannel5567]

Me too! For a long time I thought it was a Beatles song!

[@johnatyoutube]

Yeah me too! And it sounded very Beatlesesque.

[@robertwilloughby8050]

Unless you have done it before, but you can tell the story of the Dutch guys who tried to pay tribute to an American superstar, and absolutely nailed it. I give you Diesel, their classic driving number "Sausalito Summernight", and their love for Steve Miller. And, amazingly, Steve Miller's love back. He ADORED the track, and called it "The best record of mine that I never wrote or sang!".

[@davidlaw689]

Steelers Wheel entire discography is wonderful. " Benediction " from their Right Or Wrong albums is sublime.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Agreed. Great stuff!

[@waynevia6976]

Baker street is one of the greatest songs ever in my opinion. Stuck in the middle is great I love it in reservoir dogs when Mr. Blonde is having fun with the cop. Gerry Rafferty is one of the best singer's in my opinion.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Gerry was so under appreciated. A true pro!

[@waynevia6976]

​@@ProfessorofRock I agree.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

That Reservoir Dogs scene is so iconic!

[@rogerdeahl9629]

❤🎉 Loved Stealers Wheel! Gerry Rafferty was an underrated talent. Loved Baker Street! After his 70s success, Gerry retired to Scotland out of the limelight. Thanks Professor. Stay safe everyone.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks Roger! You do the same!

[@DDKaraokeOutlaw]

What do you think of the song, "Star?"

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Baker Street sax is so iconic!

[@PaddyWolfe]

i worked in a department store where this one would come on every fifteen minutes. it kinda spoke to us floor associates.

[@SittingBearProd]

My Dad was Joe’s pal & band mate in the 60’s, when he lived in a haunted flat (11 Blythswood Drive) across from the fountain gardens in Paisley. Thick as thieves they were but my old Da always said Joe was going to be huge & he was right 😊

[@lorirose3846]

How interesting I never think of performers as having stage fright.

[@PiratePrincessYuki]

I completely understand them. I actually am the same way. Love playing and getting together and playing with my brothers but hate playing in front of an audience unless it’s family.

[@DanieVargas]

@@PiratePrincessYuki The only way to get over stage fright is…. Ask yourself WHY? What is so terror-inspiring? Once you can figure why it’s such a scary thing to do, you can work on that ON YOUR OWN. Push yourself into dealing with that situation in everyday situations. The more you force yourself to deal with it in everyday situations, it’ll make it easier to get onstage. If it’s singing in front of strangers, just remember and REMIND YOURSELF that NONE of these people know you and that you’ll probably never see any of these people again! It kinda gives you PERMISSION TO BE YOURSELF. Just ask some friends (think FAMILIAR FACES) to sit in the front row and to help you with some vocal encouragement. The more you do it, the faster you’ll get over your stage fright! If you still experience stage fright to the umth degree, you might need to go talk to a professional… Dealing with stage fright can be SO PARALYZING! But despite the fact that _I_ don’t even know you, I know you can do it!!

[@LewisShieldsUS]

The only people that never really experience stage fright really never experience the stage. Fundamental affect in the performer kit.

[@Whisper_292]

A lot of them have it.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Right?

[@allengray5748]

AWESOME STUFF ADAM! Always wondered the story behind this one! Peace 🕊️☮️♾️😎 Ok, didn't see the sad stuff coming up.

[@therealstuffedzebra]

Rafferty’s music in the late 70s was a oasis in the disco desert.

[@cannonball666]

Rafferty was from Scotland. As a boy his father made him herd sheep which inspired "Stuck in the Middle with Ewe".

[@alexcampbell3032]

Like the guy who wrote 'Hey McCloud get off of my ewe.'

[@TripleBerg]

😂😂

[@Adi-Dassler]

Hey McCloud, get off my ewe.

[@RevJock]

I much preferred his cover of the Stones' "Hey McLeod Get off of My Ewe "😊

[@craigvanoosten4804]

"Apparently you take them to the edge of a cliff for best effect. They push back better, I'm told..." - Gerry's friend & former bandmate, Billy Connolly.

[@findmusic8797]

Gerry Rafferty was definitely much more than just Baker Street. From the same album City To City there were four more hit songs: Ark, Right Down The Line, Whatever's Written In Your Heart (possibly his best song), and Home And Dry. And later on, on subsequent albums: Get It Right Next Time, Night Owl, and Days Gone Down...all hits.

[@dranet47]

Stuck in the Middle sounds like Dylan, Star sounds like the Beatles. I think it's good that Gerry went and did his own thing.

[@ProfessorofRock]

So true!

[@thejackal007]

I look forward to an episode on Baker Street!

[@timothymarkin4481]

The long out of print City to City album, Rafferty’s LP featuring Baker Street and Right Down the Line, is a truly underrated near-masterpiece.

[@fjcrod]

Funny, how artists themselves often have no concept whether a song is going to be a hit or not. Love, Stuck in the Middle With You, though I had no idea that it had been intended to be a parody. Years later, Gerry Rafferty released, City to City. An album, that here in Canada, knocked the soundtrack to Saturday Night Fever out of the top spot of the charts. Stuck In The Middle With You, Baker Street, Right Down The Line...not bad for a guy who was afraid of performing live.

[@matthewclark9652]

Heard "Stuck In The Middle" in May of 1973 when I just turned 8 years old on my old Panasonic Panapet '70 light blue ball & chain AM radio!! There are 2 versions of "Everyone's Agreed" which is the original 45 version & from the 2nd album "Fergusile Park" which is different. The Rafferty song "Home And Dry" from late 1978 is one great song as well as "Get It Right Next Time" in late 1979!! Rafferty's last final swan song "The Royal Mile (Sweet Darlin')" went to # 54 (Hot 100) in September of 1980 from the album "Snakes And Ladders". The last time I heard Rafferty on Mainstream Rock radio was the title track to the 1988 album "North And South" but that was it!!

[@lisamh9037]

Haaaa the ball and chain radio. Be still my heart. I'm jealous.

[@TWayneD1020]

I see the connection now, with the song and Dylan esk!! Thank you so much ❤!!!

[@Roger_Gadd]

When this song was originally a hit here in NZ, I was 9 years old and had access to a cassette recorder. I grabbed this song and Neil Diamond's Cherry Baby onto cassette. It's funny that as far as I recall that occasion was the first and last time I heard Stuck in the Middle on the radio.

[@Code.Name.V]

Greetings music junkies!

[@Whisper_292]

Good morning!

[@TerrickTerran]

Salutations, my friend.

[@AnnaTrail-xp8pr]

Morning Code hopefully You Tube doesn't pull my comment this time

[@doneestoner9945]

I am a Music Junkie 🎵🎵🎵

[@lisamh9037]

I never regret clicking! Had no idea what this could be. Learned 100x more about Stealers Wheel in first 5 min than I ever knew. But best thing was at abt 5 min mark I heard a snip of a song that caught my attention, I know that song. Wasn't sure what it was yet but as I tried to Google Stealers Wheel songs to see which it could be, the title came into my head n i was singing it. Was I right? So i searched "still got that light on your eyes" and there it was. But it's Gerry himself. 1979. Makes sense! That was when I was spending all my alone time with Akron Mellow Rock 96. Thanks for helping me discover that great song again!

[@MarionJInce]

I lived in that era, and NO one thought "Stuck In The Middle With You" was Dylan. Years later, some people have to make up themes and controversies to get their clicks!

[@SandraHof]

At 69 years of age, I have loved that song since it was released. I love both Dylan and Rafferty. I got to see Dylan in concert back in the late 1970s. Never did I think it was a Dylan song.

[@r3ddruid]

Thank you!!! I was a teenager then, too. Can't believe he set this up as someone trying to sound like Dylan. Professor needs to go back to school.

[@artmoss6889]

Same here. Never thought he was trying to imitate Dylan.

[@avvocato5543]

Truth.

[@57buickcentury]

Right. Now if you want to talk about Mouse and the Traps' "A Public Execution", OK... even Bob Dylan said it sounded like him!

[@mrtelechi]

Probably one of the best posts ever. The information and detail is amazing. Thank you Prof'.

[@taggartjs]

My memory of Stuck In The Middle was this: My folks owned movie theaters in North Dakota and Montana through the mid 90’s which included two drive-ins. They used to play current songs of the day over the speakers before the show started. The songs and voiceover (inviting people to indulge at the concession stand) were shipped to us on a 1/4 inch tape reel. That’s where I first heard Stuck In The Middle and it still reminds me of those drive-in days.❤

[@toddboughn5168]

My granddad owned 2 movie theaters and a drive-in through the 70s and 80s. I grew up in them. I miss those days.

[@taggartjs]

@@toddboughn5168 It was an awesome childhood, for sure!

[@LQOTW]

I remember Rafferty as super popular when I was in my mid-teens in MN. In the summer of 1978 when I was 15 family members took a road trip from St. Paul to Salt Lake City, UT. FM radio played across all of those states and countless stations played Baker Street on heavy rotation. Thus, my memories of that trip and the dulcet tones of that saxophone are inextricably entwined.

[@ernesteison7979]

I never liked this song that much, but now that I know the story and meaning behind the tune. I like it a whole lot more.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Great to hear! Give it a listen!

[@brianmckay3996]

Loved their music.. Thanks for the research and pitting us, the fans, into the picture. Keep up the excellent work.❤

[@BlindGordie]

I don't hear the Bob Dylan vocal all that much, but I do like this song and Jeff Healey's 1995 cover version.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Cool I'll check it out!

[@timd729]

He's definitely, definitely trying to sound like Dylan on purpose in the song.

[@AlanRafferty]

Gerry was not trying to sound like Dylan. He just went into the booth to lay down a guide vocal...and Lieber & Stoller said 'That's the one'...

[@BlindGordie]

@@AlanRafferty yep, I agree with that.

[@ghostmachine71]

I was only 2 or so when Stuck In The Middle With You came out, but I recognized it as a gem the first time I ever heard it.

[@craigvanoosten4804]

There's a part of the story you left out regarding Gerry's musical career. Before teaming up with Joe, Gerry was a member of a folk group in Scotland called The Humblebums. They released a couple of albums on the Transatlantic label in the UK, but didn't score any hits. For that, & various other reasons, the group disbanded, but Gerry would not be the only member to achieve global success. His friend & founding Humblebum would become a global superstar, not in music but in comedy. That friend? None other than Billy Connolly.

[@Charlie_Crown]

👌

[@tinahs8269]

Love Gerry's music...I always hope to hear baker street when I see a local band that has a sax. I gotta admit that ever since Reservoir dogs I cannot hear "Stuck in the middle" without imagining Michael Madsen doing his little shuffle twirling that razor

[@RSGill1903]

I never once associated Dylan with this song. Now that you mention it, I can hear a little Dylan-esque vocal inflections but it's minimal at best.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Cool. That's what he was trying for

[@Chapps1941]

@@ProfessorofRock he failed

[@chrisbenson6683]

​@@Chapps1941😂 The entire history of the song says otherwise. 😊 Personally, I always found his vocals on Stuck to be in the style of Dylan, but certainly distinct. I think that was what he was aiming for -- a tribute. I think he nailed that. But the masses were fooled, at least enough of them to be a thing. 🤷

[@Chapps1941]

@@chrisbenson6683 this is the first time that I've ever heard the reference to Dylan. I loved this song when it came out. Ironically I was getting into Dylan at the same time. I was 14.

[@77barrymac]

That's who I thought it was at the age of 14 when it came out. And I wasn't the only one.

[@suebraschio6763]

I lived in a suburb of Portland Oregon and still do actually about 20 blks down the street from where I lived and when I hear Baker St it takes me back to summer in the 70s and everyone had stereos blaring music out of their houses and cars and of course for the most part all on the same radio station 🤭and The sound Baker Street wifting everywhere and that amazing Sax permeating the air constantly all summer long ! I can still smell the air and feel the sun it just takes me back everytime I hear it ! It was an amazing time we will never know again . Love Them I have a stuck in the middle story too but another time this is long 😉

[@juansimonreynosoalba336]

Greetings Profesor Rock 🎸🎵🥁🎼. Rock N Roll is King🎼🥁🎵🎸🔥🍀👍😃. Good day

[@ProfessorofRock]

Hello my friend!

[@juansimonreynosoalba336]

@@ProfessorofRock 🎸🎵🍀👍

[@richardphares6413]

Really enjoyed this story of Stealers Wheel and Joe with Gerry. I sing Gerry rafferty stuff all the time at Karaoke joints. I sing in the same key as Gerry... luckily. Thanks for the well documented history of the band and two buddies creating one of the most recognized songs in rock genre.

[@MrFearDubh]

Growing up in the 70s, I never associated Stuck in the Middle with You with Bob Dylan. I hear it now, but didn't hear it then. Maybe in 1972 I was too young to pick up on that. However, my friends and I thought Tom Petty sounded like Dylan when he was first getting airtime on the radio. That was a few years later so maybe by then I could recognize the similarity.

[@HaXaW5150]

Myself and a few of my friends all thought it was Steve Miller that sang Stuck in the middle, but we weren't around Bob Dylan's music that much. I found him later on. I can hear it the similarities now that you have them together here.

[@keiththorpe9571]

As much as I loved "Stuck In The Middle With You" and "Baker Street", my favorite song of all time has got to be "Right Down The Line" by Gerry Rafferty.

[@trudigoodman4825]

I've always loved this song. Especially the middle section. Both of these guys were so talented. It's hard sometimes to make music when you are close to another musician. Music can be a tough go. Self-esteem get in the way. It's hard to know sometimes if something is good. It can be, but you might think it sucks. Only an audience reaction can really tell you sometimes.

[@flavellinator]

My wife and I just heard this song on the radio yesterday and we were trying to guess who it was. I thought it was the Steve Miller band... We were shocked to find out who it was...

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks Flave! Glad you know!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Does it really sound like Steve Miller though? 🤔

[@ogam5]

.....first half of '73 - I remember VIVIDLY, was just LOADED with diffident, SPOOKY songs - LIKE this one, Vicki Lawrence's BALEFUL reading of husband Bobby Russell's "The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia", Edgar & Dan's MIND-searing instrumental "Frankenstein", Deodato's rendering of "Also Sprach Zarathustra" ('2001: A Space Odyssey' theme) WAR's "The Cisco Kid", "Long Train Running"; David Foster, Donny Gerrard & Skylark's "Wildflower", Fagen & Becker's "Reelin' In The Years", even Stevie's RHODES progressions on "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life" STILL send SHIVERS down my spine 51 years later......

[@debrarandall6913]

Still love SITMWY... sounds like he was well aware of the ones around him!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Cool.

[@DwayneRutz]

Yes more on Jerry, 77 years old and I'm stuck in the middle with everyone forever.....love this song

[@constipatedinsincity4424]

Stuck in the Middle . When I was younger I was the Dyslexic Oreo I was the Double Stuff in the middle!

[@AnnaTrail-xp8pr]

That why you are constantly plug all the compaction from the pressure being in the middle.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Ha ha!

[@constipatedinsincity4424]

@@AnnaTrail-xp8pr I'm glad that you have found the cure for my plight. But it all depends on who I'm stuck with! I'm currently taking applications. Just between you and I. You are the one to beat!

[@AnnaTrail-xp8pr]

Glad I can give you closure. Around the farm I am the one to beat. I don't know why I don't get all my notifications anymore. What is going on with You Tube? I only know you responded cuz going through the comments

[@constipatedinsincity4424]

@@AnnaTrail-xp8pr So often I have been trying to message you. But you are harder to get. Then getting into Tim Tebows pants! How's Baby Girl doing?

[@NashVegasSlots]

Fantastic episode! Probably my favorite channel on the Tube

[@RBS_]

***STUCK IN THE MIDDLE w/ PROF.: PROF. STICKS IT TO US, w/ THE TALE OF A DYLAN-ESQUE 1973 TUNE THAT GETS US 'STUCK...' IN THE MIDDLE.....OF POP NOSTALGIA....*** .....yikes, Busy day today, so let's hit those charts, lickety split..... May, 1973..... (cont.) 10. The Twelfth of Never - Donny Osmond 9. Daniel- Elton John 8. The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia - Vicki Lawrence 7. Frankenstein - Edgar Winter Group 6. ***Stuck In The Middle With You*** - Stealers Wheel 5. Drift Away - Dobie Gray 4. The Cisco Kid - WAR 3. Little Willy - Sweet 2. You Are The Sunshine Of My Life - Stevie Wonder 1. Tie A Yellow Ribbon 'Round The Old Oak Tree - Tony Orlando & DAWN ....gotta fly, keep tyin' those 'ribbons', and gettin' us STUCK, Prof.! ...ha-HAA! ; )

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks RBS!

[@AnnaTrail-xp8pr]

Don't lose your Little Willy. See he made an appearance on this top 10!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

The Cisco Kid is one of my favorites.