Motivation for song was that due to litigation with other members of Stealers Wheel he had to make many trips to London lawyers He used to drive from Glascow & return. Arduous travel & concern with litigation as well as earning a living made him despondent
On journey home he thinks of his little daughter. His love for her & the tranquility he gets from her inspired him to write the song
Lyrics When I go down to that city I just don't know wrong from right (stress) & When you grow up (young)
My information came from something I read on the Internet some years ago well before he died. The info I read was that the was definitely driving his car between Glascow & London & often had to go to there for periods ranging from days up to a week which wore him down at the time.
I didn't see the doco you refer to but I'm interested in viewing it but as I'm in Australia it will be difficult. Can you give me any info about it like the name & producer so I can try to access it.
@bobcooper31 On the train front, listen to the lyrics in City to City "Goodnight train is gonna carry me home ...", he may well have driven, but I think he took the London-Glasgow sleeper a few times. I get this train related melody very strongly on many of his songs.
@m1trekker Thanks for info about doco. As I don't have a UK TV licence the BBC won't allow me to view its programs.
Re the train v car We are talking about 2 different things. Article I read explained that while involved in the Stealers litigation he was driving between Glas Ldn a lot as the case took a lot of time. It was in this specific period that Matties rag was written
Other occasions I'd be surprised if he hadn't taken train. I agree there is a lot of reference to trains in his songs.
@illtakecareofu I guess you are quite young ? This song is 34 years old, Mattie = Martha who is Gerry's daughter, so its a song from father to daughter, having been separated for a while (living the boozy high life, probably in London) and then reunited.
Gerry Rafferty fans, why isn't anybody posting or listening to one of his greatest from the Snakes and Ladders album: "Cafe Le Cabotin" . I found it on Youtube under "Abu Dhabi"
He is truly missed. I agree... he is a musical genius. I play his music over and over and over. I was so choked up when I heard he passed. He will forever live on through his music. R.I.P. Gerry! You were one of the great ones!
It's bewildering to think now much Gerry's music has touched me in so many ways. As hobbyist guitar player I have always considered him a top ten all time great. As my eyes tear may his family members know he will be missed by many. R.I .P Gerry
@JMBELK I am 55 yrs old and have been listening to GR (&co) since I was a girl - only now do I realise how much L&Macca there is in him - all that bass/piano/harmonies - can we try to get him into the RocK & Roll Hall of Fame?? See post after yours on Mattie's Rag. Thanks for reading/listening. XXX.
City to City was a brushstroke of brilliance - one great song after another, in the days of vinyl when you listened to every track! Thank you Gerry for leaving us such wonderful music. Rest well, sir :(
I feel soo sad. One of the geatest has left us. But we´ll have his music and beauty of his voice forever. R.I.P ... As long as I´ve got your love, you know that I never leave ...
So very shocked and sad to hear about Gerry Rafferty! Only heard today he'd died yesterday only 63. One of the most important performers to me when I was younger, I drove people crazy listening to City to City. Used to love Mattie's Rag and so many others off it like Right down the line, Baker Steet. Still listen to it from time to time. My little sister stole it off me and played it til it wore out grrrr! Sad.
Gerry IS a musical genius! Very unappreciated! He DEFINATELY needs to be in the R&R Hall of Fame How can we get r done? The people I work with look at me like I'm from another planet when I mention his name! I am terminally ill, and already have made the funeral director promise to play nothing but Gerry Rafferty's music during my showing & memorial!
@otylerose Hiya, just wrote to the post before yours. Said I have been listening to GR since I was a girl (I am 55) - can we get together and try to get this fab singer/songwriter into the Hall of Fame - or is he there?? Anyways, I love, love, love, his stuff - so L&M - come back and I will mail you. XXX.
City to City is my all time favorite album. My father introduced me to Gerry's music after "copying" the City to City album on cassette tape in 1978 when it came out from his best friend. I was 12 years old at the time and absolutely BLOWN AWAY by the entire album. City to City has calmed my soul for many years. Gerry Rafferty is a musical genius. Gerry needs to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!
I think the travel between London & Glasgow was by train, so much of the undercurrent and melodies remind me of the Intercity 125 trains.
m1trekker 2 days ago
Motivation for song was that due to litigation with other members of Stealers Wheel he had to make many trips to London lawyers He used to drive from Glascow & return. Arduous travel & concern with litigation as well as earning a living made him despondent
On journey home he thinks of his little daughter. His love for her & the tranquility he gets from her inspired him to write the song
Lyrics When I go down to that city I just don't know wrong from right (stress) & When you grow up (young)
bobcooper31 2 days ago 5
@bobcooper31 I guess you saw the BBC documentary a few days ago too, my favourite was Rab Noakes "Moonlight & Gold"
m1trekker 2 days ago
@m1trekker
My information came from something I read on the Internet some years ago well before he died. The info I read was that the was definitely driving his car between Glascow & London & often had to go to there for periods ranging from days up to a week which wore him down at the time.
I didn't see the doco you refer to but I'm interested in viewing it but as I'm in Australia it will be difficult. Can you give me any info about it like the name & producer so I can try to access it.
bobcooper31 2 days ago
@bobcooper31 Yes, I think you can catch it on the BBC iPlayer, just type "Gerrry Rafferty remembered".
m1trekker 2 days ago
@bobcooper31 On the train front, listen to the lyrics in City to City "Goodnight train is gonna carry me home ...", he may well have driven, but I think he took the London-Glasgow sleeper a few times. I get this train related melody very strongly on many of his songs.
m1trekker 2 days ago
@m1trekker Thanks for info about doco. As I don't have a UK TV licence the BBC won't allow me to view its programs.
Re the train v car We are talking about 2 different things. Article I read explained that while involved in the Stealers litigation he was driving between Glas Ldn a lot as the case took a lot of time. It was in this specific period that Matties rag was written
Other occasions I'd be surprised if he hadn't taken train. I agree there is a lot of reference to trains in his songs.
bobcooper31 1 day ago
Only just found this song, astonished at how unknown it is
illtakecareofu 1 week ago
@illtakecareofu I guess you are quite young ? This song is 34 years old, Mattie = Martha who is Gerry's daughter, so its a song from father to daughter, having been separated for a while (living the boozy high life, probably in London) and then reunited.
m1trekker 3 days ago
Comment removed
bobcooper31 3 days ago
Comment removed
bobcooper31 2 days ago
Rerry Gafferty
MrFarnsworths 1 month ago
I have always been a big Gerry Rafferty fan. The clarinet work at the end was a stroke of genius.
757scott 3 months ago
@757scott Yes, agree. Very whimsical, evocative. A touch of sadness.
Tobacc0 2 months ago
Sitting here listening to Gerry with the volume up, and my son complaining.
Beautiful music.
cartehenia 3 months ago
He shunned the limelight, but his genius wasn't lost on people like jeff lynee, tom petty, mccartney, dave stewart, ray davies...
cttxlv 3 months ago 2
Gerry Rafferty + Gerry Rafferty = Gerry Rafferty
AlmostTooLateNow 4 months ago
Gerry Rafferty fans, why isn't anybody posting or listening to one of his greatest from the Snakes and Ladders album: "Cafe Le Cabotin" . I found it on Youtube under "Abu Dhabi"
TubeheadScratch 5 months ago
He is truly missed. I agree... he is a musical genius. I play his music over and over and over. I was so choked up when I heard he passed. He will forever live on through his music. R.I.P. Gerry! You were one of the great ones!
chabra08 7 months ago
Mattie if you are out there,, we all love you and that grand old man of rock
jmack619 1 year ago 3
What a playful melody for his daughter, but still lyrically road weary
cttxlv 1 year ago
@cttxlv Such a great dad
mlpond4 5 months ago in playlist YouTube Mix for Gerry Rafferty
This album came out when we were serving in Berlin in the seventies,
every soldier on my landing had it, such is the power of proper musicians,
X-factor, go hang your head in shame, and Cowell, you are a prat!
yorkie6687 1 year ago 5
rip gerry
rudetoddboy 1 year ago 2
truely one of the greastest albums of all time, love this so much,i will dedicat this to my Mother in law who is named Mattie
tamforsyth1 1 year ago
It's bewildering to think now much Gerry's music has touched me in so many ways. As hobbyist guitar player I have always considered him a top ten all time great. As my eyes tear may his family members know he will be missed by many. R.I .P Gerry
Bigalwannabe 1 year ago 2
John Lenon + Paul Mc Cartney = Gerry Rafferty
JMBELK 1 year ago 8
@JMBELK I am 55 yrs old and have been listening to GR (&co) since I was a girl - only now do I realise how much L&Macca there is in him - all that bass/piano/harmonies - can we try to get him into the RocK & Roll Hall of Fame?? See post after yours on Mattie's Rag. Thanks for reading/listening. XXX.
msLENNONLOVER 1 month ago
awesome album.It stands the test of time
randlbp 1 year ago
City to City was a brushstroke of brilliance - one great song after another, in the days of vinyl when you listened to every track! Thank you Gerry for leaving us such wonderful music. Rest well, sir :(
Zookzookzook13 1 year ago 2
@Zookzookzook13 Bang on my friend!
yorkie6687 1 year ago
another great talent to sit at the table of great departed musicians...top table.
whodatwalrus 1 year ago
RIP Gerry. :-(((
celerysparrow 1 year ago
I feel soo sad. One of the geatest has left us. But we´ll have his music and beauty of his voice forever. R.I.P ... As long as I´ve got your love, you know that I never leave ...
tchiritchou 1 year ago 2
RIP Gerry. Love skating to this track
KingBlueSlims420 1 year ago
So very shocked and sad to hear about Gerry Rafferty! Only heard today he'd died yesterday only 63. One of the most important performers to me when I was younger, I drove people crazy listening to City to City. Used to love Mattie's Rag and so many others off it like Right down the line, Baker Steet. Still listen to it from time to time. My little sister stole it off me and played it til it wore out grrrr! Sad.
Liamone62 1 year ago
RIP Gerry.
Oh St. Peter, open up the door, that's right he's home again.
Jbellacero 1 year ago 2
i haven't listened this song for more than 20 years, it's very awesome!!!
beinghuman73 1 year ago
Gerry IS a musical genius! Very unappreciated! He DEFINATELY needs to be in the R&R Hall of Fame How can we get r done? The people I work with look at me like I'm from another planet when I mention his name! I am terminally ill, and already have made the funeral director promise to play nothing but Gerry Rafferty's music during my showing & memorial!
otylerose 1 year ago 15
@otylerose Hiya, just wrote to the post before yours. Said I have been listening to GR since I was a girl (I am 55) - can we get together and try to get this fab singer/songwriter into the Hall of Fame - or is he there?? Anyways, I love, love, love, his stuff - so L&M - come back and I will mail you. XXX.
msLENNONLOVER 1 month ago
City to City is my all time favorite album. My father introduced me to Gerry's music after "copying" the City to City album on cassette tape in 1978 when it came out from his best friend. I was 12 years old at the time and absolutely BLOWN AWAY by the entire album. City to City has calmed my soul for many years. Gerry Rafferty is a musical genius. Gerry needs to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!
joevs21001 1 year ago
I love this song. It's an underrated classic, IMHO! A rare gem for sure. Thank you for having the good taste to post it. God bless you! :)
childoJesus 1 year ago
NICE!
grubs078 1 year ago
One of my favorite song on the City to City album!!
ChevyBlazer1978 1 year ago 2
awesome song
kennert111333 1 year ago
Brilliant, just brilliant. Go Gerry, you are some chanter!
TheBettyboo62 1 year ago
Brilliant, just brilliant. Go Gerry, you are some chanter!
TheBettyboo62 1 year ago
Brilliant, just brilliant. Go Gerry, you are some chanter!
TheBettyboo62 1 year ago
Excellent number from Gerry and something a bit different. It makes you feel good as well. Cheers for posting.
DCHurlford1 2 years ago
thanks for putting this song up, ive been looking for it for a while
hitmanj51 2 years ago