Classical Composer Reacts to Baker Street (Gerry Rafferty) | The Daily Doug (Episode 576)

#bakerstreet #gerryrafferty
In this edition of #thedailydoug, I'm listening to music from Gerry Rafferty for the first time on the channel. As I explain in the video, Megan brought this to my attention, telling me that I had 'for sure' heard it...I just didn't remember the title or the artist. Well...she was correct! I loved connecting the name and artist to this classic tune. And, it was great to analyze the saxophone riff, which is a bit more complex than you might think. Hope you enjoy!
Reference Video: • Gerry Rafferty - 'Bake...
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[@bruceday4036]

A man who never gets enough credit for his work. Still and will always be the pride of Scotland. RIP Gerry 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@LeventAlioglu]

One of the most ICONIC songs ever writen.

[@adelbertomuggler372]

And don't forget bis humble bum Band Mate Billy Connolly :)

[@toddcleave8449]

Sorry man I hate these comments, he does get plenty of credit, he's well known by many and loved, stop it with these stupid comments

[@alanaustin9664]

@@adelbertomuggler372 Connolly had no hand in this . Deal wit that . Gerry had to doi it. To Find Himself !!!!

[@Wa1kerBros4Ever]

The guy who played the sax was so annoyed that he was slightly "off" in places and wanted to do it again but luckily it was left as it was. A true classic, and still brings tears to my eyes when I hear it. Gerry loved making music but as a private person hated performing live.

[@ssvr3dl1n38]

Brilliant Doug, thank you for the review & reaction. It's amazing how with a song you've heard hundreds of times, you can continue to learn more about it through the knowledge of others and a trained ear like yours. Cheers 🙏

[@jorgennilsson4168]

Oh my, we played this one over and over on the jukebox in the poolhall I used to hang out in in my teens 😍

[@joes2514]

I still get chills when the sax comes in at the intro. I still believe (incorrectly if you believe Gerry himself) the song is about a woman/girl who follows/joins a man she loves to a new town in hopes he'll finally return her love as deeply as she to him but it never comes. Gerry's claim that the song is about his conversations with a male friend doesn't make any sense once you hear the sax. No sax is EVER played, like that, for a man. 🤣 Whichever is true, I love this song. RIP Gerry.

[@simonatkinson6389]

For all this is slightly more of a technical analysis as I watch you can still see your passion for music. For me it's the small imperfections within any 'Classic' song or piece of music that makes it iconic like the reference you made to the sax being slightly flat. I have VERY little knowledge of detailed music theory so once you pointed it out I understood what you meant.

[@erikalbertson7483]

That guitar solo has always been one of my favorites. Great song.

[@slm60uk]

Always loved the album City to City & especially Baker Street, even though I spent many an hour stuck on it in a traffic jam when I was travelling City to City! If you want to hear the best Sax solo (IMO) then you need to listen to Hazel O'connor's "Will You".

[@CMChapman78]

Before Steelers wheel he was in "The Humblebums" with Billy Connolly

[@jamesmccann8506]

He was from my hometown of Paisley. My wife and I had our first dance to another track of his called 'Way Down the line' - great song Quite a few famous folk from Paisley now i come to think of it: Gerard Butler, Paulo Nutini, Tom Conti, David Tennant, to name but a few.

[@makelikeatree1696]

Paisley gets a bad rap, but I found it quite nice, full of charming people.

[@jamesmccann8506]

@@makelikeatree1696 Yeah - when i lived there, the bad rap was deserved if i am honest. However, it's improved a lot in 20 years, which is evident each time i visit the place.

[@sundance9042]

Oh this song ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@robertdean2945]

The song is about his battle with drink 😢

[@DaveM1013-yw5lb]

I really enjoyed this. I thought the sax line includes the rising flattened sixth, followed by a descending (?minor scale). Get it right, next time is a great song. I would also recommend north and south as an album. I had this on cassette back in the 1980s. It also features Davy Spillane who was quite ubiquitous at this time (including being featured on Kate Bush's Sensual World)

[@fabulantok4240]

«ella usò mi cabeza como un revolver» by Soda Stereo!

[@None_More_Metal]

Fantastic song!

[@DanielGonzaga-nl3dc]

My facorite song!

[@Davejkn]

while Raf Ravenscroft says he came up with the sax motif, it bears a distinct similarity to Half A Heart by Steve Marcus and that same phrase can be heard played on guitar on the original demos of Baker Street here-s Half A Heart - - kzbin.info/www/bejne/oIjYaJ5tpa2tobM here's the demo recording of Baker Street - kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIu0oJRogtaooZY

[@the_lichemaster]

As much as I like Baker Street & City to City, Night Owl (song and album) has to be my favourite.

[@petercollins1104]

He was also bessie mates with Billy conolley

[@jeffwanser5727]

In 1978, I felt like I was living in a musical wasteland in a city in upstate New York. I was driving home one evening and I heard that sax come over the radio. I had to pull over into a supermarket parking lot, and began to weep. The next day I bought the album. Thank you Mr. Rafferty.

[@MindsEyeVisualGuitarMethods]

Star Market

[@nflr92]

You lived near Rochester, too? I was finishing up all my Regents exams for the end of 8th grade in LeRoy and went to The Smoke Shoppe for some food and heard this. I kept waiting for the guitar effect 🙂

[@jeffwanser5727]

@@nflr92 I lived in Binghamton.

[@chaplainmattsanders4884]

Yes! That sax line is brilliant!

[@joelliebler5690]

I bought the album at it’s release and liked the whole album!

[@tuirnb]

His "Right down the line" song is also fantastic love song.

[@JimGeigerMusic]

Don't forget Get it Right Next Time.

[@BrianHShaw]

Royal Mile and Whatever's Written in your Heart also.

[@AlanRafferty]

Days Gone Down is sublime. Way better than Baker Street.

[@kellidinit3725]

Love that song.

[@codemonkey2k5]

Yeah that's a really good tune.

[@jamesgeckle489]

As a kid "Baker Street" gave me a similar vibe to the earlier (1976) song by Al Stewart, "Year of the Cat."

[@ammortal]

Yeah, that "AM gold' sound....

[@angelbulldog4934]

Yeah...never thought of that, but you're right.

[@tazmaniachill]

Both of them songs are turnings points in my life. Well known fact for rafferty nerds, Billy Connely was part of the band somewhere in history. Gerry had a voice like honey on velvet ❤

[@alloallie]

Incidentally, two of my favourite songs of all time (especially, the Al Stewart track)

[@allhopeabandon7831]

Dude! Exactly! I put these two songs in a similar category, for which only a few other songs belong. Some Super Tramp, Fleetwood Mac, Steely Dan. I love Zeppelin more than anything, but I don't put any of their songs in that category...its a kind of antennae to another person's experience.

[@guitarchannel5676]

Doug's ear and ability to transcribe chord progressions so quickly is very impressive.

[@Urban3009]

It's called perfect pitch

[@guitarchannel5676]

@@Urban3009 He claims he doesn't have perfect pitch.

[@drg69]

Relative pitch?

[@cgmahony]

@@drg69 Dare I say he has prelistened to the track and has perfect hindsight pitch. But hey I'm probably wrong and I'm just new to Doug.

[@Frostrazor]

There are some songs that just mean more you than they ever really should. This is one of those songs for me. In my opinion this is among the top 10 greatest songs ever recorded. When i was a young lad, my father used to take me to the auto-races in Sacramento nearly every weekend. This song was ubiquitous on the radio stations back then in the late 70s, and he would blast his radio in his 64 Chevelle. When I hear this song now, it instantly takes me back to being 8 years old, wide-eyed and so thrilled to be going to the races with my dad. The race track closed in 82. The Chevelle was sold in 86, and my dad left this world 10 years ago. They are all gone now - but this song brings them all back to as real as if I could walk outside and swear they were there. My wife knows how much this song means to me - she has had it as her ring tone for several years now.

[@fluffhead917]

Me too.. I 100% remember hearing this song as a 9 year old kid at Hamlin Beach in upstate NY on my mom's Panasonic radio.. 1979..

[@SeanieMahony25]

One of the most recognisable if not the most recognisable pieces of music ever written... From the singing, to the guitar solo to the sax... Its an absolute masterpiece.. An all time favourite.

[@timothywolfe3891]

One of the greatest pop songs ever written. Beautiful lyrics.

[@lennartpersson2912]

Being a native Swede, my first visit to the U.S. was in the summer of 1978 when me and my American cousin Ralph drove close to 8000 miles, through 12 states, in 10 days. And once every other hour throughout this whole road trip, "Baker Street" was played on the AM radio in our Chevy. Additionally, on my way back to Sweden I spent a few days in London, where I stayed in a hotel in - you guessed it! - in Baker Street.

[@Brian-iu7rd]

You almost certainly heard a lot of Gordon Lightfoot's Sundown during that trip, too. Another king of the AM waves. Good times - thanks for sharing!

[@lennartpersson2912]

We most certainly listened to Gordon Lightfoot too, but it may have been less frequent. The second most played song during that road trip was "Go your own way" by Fleetwood Mac.

[@eyesofchild]

Hey Doug... Great song!! You may want to schedule a special reaction for the passing of Gordon Lightfoot, if you haven't heard or done it already. Another amazing 70s songwriter, one who will be greatly missed.

[@na-tv6rn]

Give us a Canadian Railroad Trilogy reaction!!

[@lovestreet2675]

Gerry Rafferty wrote the sax riff long before the sax player joined the band. His voice is like velvet. One of my favorites in high school ❤ RIP GR

[@juneabbott6805]

💯 ❤I’m evidently same generation as you. One of my fave tracks to this day.

[@Psychedelian]

Gerry Rafferty was in a folk group in the 60's called The Humblebums with Billy Connolly who diverged from music to become a legendary stand-up comedian and eventually got a knight-hood for his services to comedy. They remained friends throughout their lives until Gerry's death. Billy lives in Florida and recently retired from performing due to Parkinsons disease. He is 80 yrs old.

[@kathyratino962]

This song is about Billy Connolly.

[@spacefreak8903]

Humblebums were a very, very good folk band!

[@brianm.9062]

never forget Joe Egan.

[@rayjr62]

@@kathyratino962 Wow. I didn't know that. I didn't know Billy had issues with alcohol.

[@architectofinfamy1587]

Have you heard the Adam Buxton interview with Billy, he talks about Gerry, it's very touching

[@sepposyXIV]

Gerry had the most beautiful singing voice in business

[@Somer-set]

Perfect pitch they said.

[@mournblade1066]

The guitar solo is one of the greatest of all time.

[@dancarter482]

YEAH, everyone knows the sax part but overlooks the _DEVASTATING_ plank-spanking!

[@dancarter482]

CHRIST! He COMPLETELY overlooked that gorgeous guitar solo. Philistine!

[@Belfast-Biccy]

Yeah I noticed how Doug played over the guitar solo and totally ignored it, tut tut!

[@eusebiorz]

It's a great solo however, listen closely and you'll notice that the underlying chord structure and rhythm are a repeat of what came up earlier in the song, the soloing doesn't really add new harmony or rhythm, and that's why Doug just goes on to play the chords. Note that the harmony and rhythm staying static is typical of most soloing, not just this one, and if you browse through other videos in the channel you'll see that Doug generally does not comment much about other solos either.

[@donalddixon6541]

Yea, and he plucks right thru it.....Dont play and listen at the same time.....pay attention!!!!!

[@whatwouldhousedo5136]

Incredibly well-written and arranged song, and I've always just loved the screaming guitar solo- perfect tone and emotion. One of the best songs of the late 70's.

[@jayblackwood3736]

The whole album is wonderful. My preference would be to listen to the whole album. I love the mood it sets.

[@randyk1552]

Baker Street. One of the best songs to come out of the Seventies.

[@robbiekearsley9158]

The thing I love most about this is the chorus. It's not often a song has an instrumental chorus, and it works like magic here. The verse and pre-chorus are soft and sweet mixed with a tinge of sadness and resignation, then the earnest searing heart shot chorus, with the saxaphone giving voice to the pain that could not be put into words. Brillian piece of music.

[@Stormheart911]

For another fantastic song from the 70's, that also features an iconic sax solo, I recommend "Year of the cat" by Al Stewart. Lyrically it's a masterpiece, and it was produced by the great Alan Parsons.

[@MichaelScheele]

"She comes out of the sun in a silk dress running Like a watercolor in the rain" - One of the most poetic lines in pop/rock. The piano intro is unforgettable. The series of solos before the last vocal section is unique: synth, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and saxophone. It is a masterpiece from the 1970s.

[@bruceday4036]

The big yin! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@jokepy4230]

If Al Stewart gets reviewed, I really like his "Roads To Moscow" song.

[@rovcanada1]

Doug, you have to do Hazel O'Connor's "Will You" if you like a bit of sax. Written for a tragic happenstance, and portrayed in Hazel's film, 'Breaking Glass'. This is a full length live version: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZ-Wo5eNrLxsepI. This is the film/video version: kzbin.info/www/bejne/haacZ6mCoZJgm5Y

[@tristandunn4628]

He also used to be part of a folk duo, called The Humblebums, featuring a certain Mr Billy Connolly. It's said that he was a huge perfectionist, making recording sessions very tense. The quality of the finished product certainly justifies that. RIP

[@ChelseaPensioner-DJW]

Well the perfectionist part goes against what Billy Connolly says, maybe it became part of him later.

[@nyifnbr18]

The vocal harmonies of Gerry and Joe Egan in Steelers Wheel are to die for, worth checking out beyond "Stuck in the Middle With You."

[@yes_head]

Gerry Rafferty had John Lennon-like vocal prowess.

[@revwillyg6450]

I love Baker Street, but I could be happy never hearing Steelers Wheel again 🤷‍♂️just sick of that song

[@nyifnbr18]

@@revwillyg6450 They had 3 LP's, the latter two definitely worth hearing, everyone alive is sick of "that song."

[@nyifnbr18]

@@yes_head Interesting as their harmonies do remind me of The Beatles.

[@revwillyg6450]

@@nyifnbr18lol. Ok, maybe I'll try them again. Radio can kill a song can't they?

[@mournblade1066]

Man, this was my favorite song as a kid. The whole album is fantastic.

[@rpm412]

The whole album is indeed fantastic!

[@toznerd6369]

Amen! I love this album, especially Baker Street, Right Down the Line, Whatever's Written in Your Heart, and Mattie's Rag!

[@mournblade1066]

@@toznerd6369 "Mattie's Rag"! Such a great song! And "Right Down the Line" is absolutely gorgeous.

[@adrianfernandonoya5196]

RIP Gerry Rafferty We love You and We miss You. and RIP you too Raphael Ravenscroft.

[@nicoladisvevia]

One of those timeless classics where simply everything about it is right.

[@sepposyXIV]

The production and sounds in this album are just fabulous! ❤,

[@topgazza]

One of the greatest songs ever written, composed and played. With that most recognisable sax solos. Funny enough your piano accompianment added to it

[@yes_head]

This song was EVERYWHERE in 1978 and crossed over different radio formats. I think there's an underlying theme about travel or being away from home throughout the album. I'm also a big fan of "Home and Dry". RIP Gerry Rafferty. Great songwriter.

[@rubicon-oh9km]

The song is very autobiographical. Gerry was a severe alcoholic and this song helps tell his story.

[@ScottDeBerg]

i actually prefer "Home & Dry". Glad to see the song mentioned.

[@crusheverything4449]

Yes, City to City has a theme about home - both being away and returning. It’s a total masterpiece! I just got a new vinyl pressing and it sounds incredible!

[@sinclairwhitbourne2090]

All you say is true and good! For me, even more than 'Home and Dry' (a very uplifting song), I love 'Whatever's Written In Your Heart'. The video of the family singing it as part of the commemoration of his death is really something too. It is here on Poo Tube. Maybe you have seen it.

[@crusheverything4449]

@@sinclairwhitbourne2090 - I have and found it incredibly moving. The loss of Gerry Rafferty hit me hard. He was one of the true greats.

[@Belfast-Biccy]

Gerry played with Comedian Billy Connolly in the Humble Bums early on, before they went their separate ways!

[@JeanneGrunert]

One of my all time favorites. It automatically transports me back to the summer of 1978. Thanks for playing it.

[@rubbabubba6489]

Been loving this song since I was a kid, still does it for me. You know there's a story there. Foo Fighters did a great cover of it also

[@thedrunkbard4772]

I love the Foo Fighters version of this song too!

[@CoastPropertyBuyers]

The 70’s were the BEST decade for music imo. Gerry was a super talent it’s such a tragedy that alcohol took his life so early 🙏🏼

[@clivenewman4810]

And with such rudimentary equipment.

[@alanaustin9664]

60's shaped Gerry .Also the best decade for music and it's not even an argument that 60's were better than 70's . I was born in 69 but claim pride to that decade only by months 70's music was for the best part totally shite,

[@arctic_haze]

@@alanaustin9664 I would also vote for the 1960s.

[@davebooth5847]

I remember reading an interview with Raf Ravenscroft when the sax turned 100 years old, thus qualifying as a "classical instrument" and Raf was appointed to the first ever sax chair at the LSO. Of course they asked him about the sax line on Baker Street. His response (mostly verbatim but my memory might be a little flawed) was "That bloody Baker Street! You know, after that hit number one, my phone stopped ringing! People thought they couldn't afford me any more!"

[@Ed-Topo-108]

Used to work in a studio complex opposite his. Was a lovely guy. We used to borrow some kit off him like the Emulator keyboard. I think he was producing a lot of commercials/jingles. I assumed he was called RAF because of his moustache & leather flying jacket but was an abbreviation!

[@broadsword6650]

So many memories sparked by this fabulous, lyrically evocative, beautifully produced song. It's the second best song about Baker Street ever written, the best ever being Baker Street Muse by Jethro Tull, of course.

[@AdamConus]

Baker Street Muse is 20 minutes of prog perfection.

[@peterbacke1804]

Agree! 😉👍

[@interstellaroverdriven6450]

100% facts! An absolute masterpiece so well constructed and executed. I assume this was waaaaaaay to hard for them to play live.

[@richievershay2671]

I thought this was Baker Street Muse for a second and got excited... great song!

[@ronreid5467]

I am a drummer in a retro rock band and I love it when you just can't help yourself and start playing air drums. I have always said that drums are the thing that gets you up and makes you pay attention! Musicians are the most powerful people on the planet! We can make you do things!! We can control your soul!

[@nicometal22]

MORSE/PORTNOY/GEORGE's cover version is a great rendition indeed

[@FionaEm]

Baker Street was a huge hit here in Australia and always reminds me of my childhood. Wonderful to hear a classical musician react to one of the best songs - and certainly my favourite song - of all time. Every element of the track is in perfect harmony with the others, and the simple downbeat lyrics juxtapose poignantly against the soaring music. The Royal Mile and Get it Right Next Time are also superb Gerry Rafferty tracks, from his next album in 1979 or 1980. Incredibly classy, melodic works 😊

[@jimbo92107]

BTW, this is one of those songs that 80's audiophiles used to show off their multi-thousand dollar stereo systems. The bigger and louder, the better base fidelity, the better this song sounds. On a truly obscene system, Baker Street is an audio revelation. You don't even mind the ear damage. Actually, I think it's about a woman that tries for years to stick with her man, then finally realizes that he's a loser, and leaves him to go back home.

[@jamesm5883]

Oh my goodness, I've been waiting for this, absolutely my favorite song in the world.

[@BradHollowniczky]

I love the whole album. Rafferty made a lot of wonderful music, but "City to City" is his most cohesive and consistent work.

[@donalddixoninlou]

So disrespectful, trying to play the piano during the guitar solo. We dont care what key your playing....listen!!

[@TheBuglemouthBass]

This song came out right when I was first really starting to notice music at age 6. That sax riff is burned into my brain and instantly transports me back to that time. I think this is a great song that's not all that far removed from some of Pink Floyd's more radio-friendly stuff. It passes the test of time for sure.

[@danieltruyts-ke4gi]

The sax riff was by Gerry himself. It's easy to chek this out. I have a remastered and expanded edition of "city to city". The second cd of this album is filled with demo-takes of many of the songs. There can be no doubt that the sax riff was his. It's a pity that this album is out off print.

[@shawnhegarty4998]

Foo Fighters do a beautiful cover of Baker Street on the B-side of their single 'My Hero'

[@Davejkn]

you forgot to mention Gerry Rafferty's first group The Humblebums with folk singer turned comedian Billy Connolly - kzbin.info/www/bejne/b4ucg4KNbtR0fZY

[@kevinmuzerMetalMind64]

RIGHT DOWN THE LINE. Jerry Rafferty hit song, Bonnie Raitt covered it.

[@darkpitcher5242]

City to City and Night Owl are two of the best albums produced in the 70's and 80's

[@QuicknStraight]

What a talent Jerry was. Burned so bright, but burned out way too young. IMO, "Night Owl" is his best track. It's got such a beautiful rhythmic and lyrical eound..

[@davidfoster2563]

While Baker Street is excellent, I think that Night Owl is his masterpiece, if a somewhat depressing song.

[@thomasvieth578]

Funny little remark: Baker Street was where Sherlock Holmes lived

[@acarbonbasedlifeform70]

LOL I was just learning the solo on my EWI

[@dancarter482]

And he IGNORED it!

[@steveford8999]

If he's going back to Scotland he won't see much sunshine. LOL

[@fasteddie617]

This song came out when I was 2 years old. I do not remember it until I was about 6. In 2024, still my favorite song ever written. Gerry was an incredible musician. This song will hold up for generations to come. Rightfully so, it's masterpiece.

[@markspooner1224]

Raphael Ravenscroft thought his sax solo was flat, I've never heard of credit being given to him by the Rafferty camp, nevertheless it is an iconic sax solo.

[@jdbertel33]

If I really focus I can hear what he’s talking about. Although if he’d said he did it intentionally to get that sound I’d have believed him.

[@perryholley6005]

You might have heard the sax part on, of all things, an episode of the Simpsons.

[@jameslee3719]

So many brilliant songs from the mid 70s. And so nostalgic now

[@shredder66]

You might have heard it on the Simpsons too from a classic episode which recounts how Lisa got her first saxophone

[@hoopyfrood4391]

I’m not a huge sax fan, or rock fan. However, this is one of my favorite pieces of music of all time. I react viscerally every time I hear it.

[@blanketjackson8075]

The main sax riff is haunting and amazing, but the rest of the song is boring crap.

[@davidblake5415]

I believe that the Sax player never cashed the check for the session ( it wasn’t a lot) but because he had played it it got him lots of other work!

[@andersondavies3589]

He is an underrated songwriter, singer and poured albums with a fantastically produced sound. Try the whole album and also "Night Owl" and "Sleepwalking" next to others for example. Romantic, and also good for any kind of road trip :) Thanks to your wife to widen your range of music :)

[@christee5772]

Great, great song. I thought everybody knew that Bob Holness played the sax on it.

[@broadsword6650]

Haha! That, as I'm sure you know, was an early example of fake news/urban myth, written as a joke by journalist, radio DJ and author Stuart Maconie in the NME. It then took on a life of its own and became a fact wot "ani fool kno" for a time. And all that in the days before t'internet! 😂

[@gregthomas1346]

Been sifting through the comments to see if someone said the bob holness thing lol

[@christee5772]

@@gregthomas1346 I was surprised nobody had so felt I'd better mention it.

[@rgoers]

Wow. This is the first video of yours I have come across. You are really good! You obviously have perfect pitch and are a very talented musician! I loved how you could just jump in and play along without having even heard the whole song play through!

[@nmalcolm1972]

Sherlock Holmes resided at 221b Baker Street

[@getexis8685]

That's how you know you're a musician... we can't help but play along with what we're listening to. It's stronger than we are.

[@lazzy2day]

This song always takes me back to the age of 15, hanging with my friends by the pool, this blaring in a loop & waiting for that awesome guitar solo.

[@johncampbell756]

I also really enjoy the Foo Fighters' cover of this.

[@mrnorthernspitfire3067]

The album City to City is a real treat to listen to, I love this album and Gerry Rafferty is criminally underated.

[@chuckcolby6025]

It's amazing to watch someone with proper chops dissect something that's just always been in my ethos. I always loved this song, and I couldn't put my finger on it. You directed my finger to it. Thank you. :)

[@crissieangel9349]

Do the whole album, Doug, you will love it.

[@ronparsons8786]

In my opinion Gerry's best song is "Days Gone Down"

[@MrScrofulous]

This song flows like running water, soothing and free.

[@fantus01]

I had a big problem with this song ... every time I hear it on radio while I'm driving I'm 20 km/h too fast after the song ....expensive ....

[@jamesirvine7574]

Me too 😅

[@drumvc8060]

Get it Right Next Time - wonderful song

[@gregorydillon9167]

So many people picked up the sax or started featuring the sax after this song. It really was giant influence on the 80's sound

[@donkick2622]

Tommy Eyre (Mark-Almond) and Henry Spinetti (Brother of Victor Spinetti, Beatles Fave who appeared in A Hard Day's Night, Help and Magical Mystery Tour).

[@John-et9yl]

Great clip Doug. Gerry was in a band called the Humblebums with Billy Connolly before forming Steelers Wheel. I remember hearing this track for the first time on BBC Radio 1 as a new release in 1978 and the prominent Radio 1 DJ at the time Tony Blackburn said it wouldn't be a hit - he never did know his stuff. This is a brilliantly crafted and well produced tune. Gerry continued to struggle with alcohol addiction throughout his life and he settled in a village near where l live in Hartfield, East Sussex, where he could be seen occasionally in the local pub. Coincidentally, Hartfield is where A.A.Milne lived and based his Winnie the Pooh stories on the surrounding Ashsdown Forest. Brian Jones of The Rolling Stones bought A A.Milne's house at Cotchford Farm in 1968 and subsequently drowned in the pool under suspicious circumstances in July 1969.

[@lazyhazeldaisy9596]

Gerry Rafferty has go to be one of my very favourite singer/ songwriters, his voice was so beautiful soft and melodic, I was lucky enough to see Gerry in concert and he explained that the slide at the beginning of the song was from lowering the tension of the strings on the his guitar to get the sound. He was incredibly fussy about his songs and it would take ages for him to be happy enough to release an album which was very frustrating to us fans. He did have a lot of personal problems made worse of course from his drinking, such a loss as he was a wonderful artist, God Bless Gerry. ❤

[@RSturtleness]

Absolutely a true rep of the 70’s. Grew up,with this one with the wu[er sax and Gerry’s vocals. I loved you chiming in on the keys. Glad you enjoyed.

[@BangkokVoiceCoach]

The sax solos are in D minor but with a C natural, making it modal. The vocal sections are in A major. I love watching you woking this out by ear. It's beautiful. Just subscribed! Here's my Baker Street reaction: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mqC7q5Wqn5uei6c

[@doug_howe]

The Foo Fighters do such an excellent cover on their album The Colour and the Shape

[@Keith_KC8TCQ]

Absolutely LOVE this song, I have it on my relaxing music playlist that i listen to in the evening as I sip a glass of scotch and read a book to escape the daily grind

[@joelliebler5690]

Yes you are right a sad true story he never quite reached his potential because of his personal problems!Loved this and Right on Down The Line!😢