Ralph McTell - Streets Of London (Cover)

This is my rendition of Ralph McTell's Streets Of London. Here are some facts about the song....."Streets of London" is a song written by Ralph McTell. It was first recorded for McTell's 1969 album Spiral Staircase but was not released in the United Kingdom as a single until 1974. It was his greatest commercial success, reaching number two in the UK singles chart, at one point selling 90,000 copies a day [1], winning him the Ivor Novello Award and a Silver disk for record sales. [2]

The song was inspired by McTell's experiences busking and hitchhiking throughout Europe, especially in London and Paris; although the individual stories are taken from Parisians, London is chosen for its arguably more sonorous name. The song contrasts the common problems of everyday people with those of the homeless, lonely elderly, and ignored and forgotten members of society.

McTell left the song off his debut album, as he regarded it as too depressing, and did not record it until persuaded by his producer Gus Dudgeon, for his second album in 1969. A re-recorded version charted in the Netherlands in April 1972, notching up to #9 the next month.[3] McTell re-recorded it again for the UK single release in 1974.

McTell played the song in clawhammer style with an AABA chord progression.[4] Over two hundred artists have made covers of this song [5] including Cliff Richard, Blackmore's Night, Mary Hopkin, Sinéad O'Connor, Schooner Fare, Anti-Nowhere League and Roger Whittaker.

The comedy programme Big Train featured a sketch in which Ralph McTell (played by the actor Kevin Eldon), having just finished a performance of "Streets of London", tries to play "a new song". This results in cries of shock and disbelief from the audience, unable to comprehend that McTell could play any other song. The insistent audience forces him to segue into Streets of London once more.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Ralph
• McTell
• Streets
• Of
• London
• Homeless
• Homelessness
• Poverty
• Cat
• Stevens

[mike61219]

Well done, you have a good voice. The song is one of the best classics of all time about the needy, may we always try to help them in whichever way we can.

[totethatgun]

@mike61219 Thanks you........and I agree 100% mike, we should all do what we can to help those who aren't in a position to help themselves......There but for the grace of God...... -Kenny

[Custhydo]

I liked your video very much and it touched my heartstrings too! I've been a volunteer for Shelter in Ashford, Kent and just want to add you're doing a wonderful job. I wish I could help some more....

[totethatgun]

@Custhydo Thanks my friend....In another life, a long, long time ago.....I was in that position.......So....I'm thanking YOU for the job you do. Peace. -Kenny

[Naotoshi100]

Hi Kenny!! Sorry for comment late.

Really GREAT singing as always!!!

You have a great voice...just beautiful!!!

Keep sending!!!!

ALL STARS*****

-Naotshi

[totethatgun]

Thank you Naotoshi, very much appreciated your kind comment here. - Kenny

[oANWARoo]

@totethatgun love this song and YOUR voice......just beautiful!!! from china

[SenorJoseAntonio]

very nice, I like it very much. Good Voice, Thank You SenorJoseAntonio

[totethatgun]

Thanks Bill,much appreciated mate. - Kenny

[totethatgun]

Thanks Jack, yeah i always like when guys give a little song info to. Thanks for dropping by, much appreciated. - Kenny