The Perils Of Sleeping In The Subway

Don't Sleep in the Subway is a song by British singer Petula Clark, released in 1967. It was written by Tony Hatch and his wife, Jackie Trent, and became Clark's last hit to reach the Top 10 in the US. The song combines three different sections of music previously composed by Hatch, with styles ranging from pop to symphonic. The lyrics depict a couple's disagreement, with the narrator advising her sweetheart not to storm out after a fight due to his foolish pride. The title phrase don't sleep in the subway is a metaphor for not spending the night apart, with the subway referring to a pedestrian underpass in London rather than a train. The song has been covered by various artists and remains a favourite of Clark's.

The song's lyrics are about a couple's disagreements

"Don't Sleep in the Subway" by Petula Clark is a song about a couple's disagreements and how they navigate their relationship. The song, written by Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent, offers a glimpse into the dynamic between a man and a woman who often find themselves at odds with each other.

In the song, the woman describes her partner's tendency to retreat into his own world instead of engaging with their issues. When they disagree, he threatens to walk out on her, but she encourages him to stay and work things out. She recognises that his actions are driven by his ""foolish pride"" and that he might choose to "sleep in the subway" or "stand in the pouring rain" just to prove his point.

The phrase "don't sleep in the subway" is the woman's way of asking her partner to spend the night with her instead of leaving. She acknowledges that their goodbyes are meaningless when they're just for show. She implores him to let go of his ego and compromise, understanding that problems are often overrated. The song captures the complexities of their relationship, where the man's pride and reluctance to engage clash with the woman's desire for reconciliation and connection.

The subway in the song title refers not to a mode of transportation but to the underground passages in London that enable pedestrians to cross busy intersections. This adds a layer of symbolism to the song, as the couple's relationship navigates through the complexities of pride, compromise, and the willingness to set aside differences. The song's musical style also shifts from pop to symphonic, reflecting the emotional ups and downs of their relationship.

"Don't Sleep in the Subway" showcases Clark's ability to convey the intricacies of a couple's disagreements and the importance of finding common ground. It serves as a reminder that relationships require compromise and that sometimes, it's better to stay and work things out instead of letting foolish pride drive us apart.

The man's ego and pride are hurt

In the song "Don't Sleep in the Subway" by Petula Clark, the man's ego and pride are hurt during an argument with his partner. The song describes a couple who frequently have disagreements, with the man often choosing to retreat into himself instead of engaging with the issue. During one such argument, the man threatens to walk out on the woman, and she responds by advising him against it, urging him to stay with her instead.

The lyrics "Don't sleep in the subway, darlin'/ Don't stand in the pouring rain" are a plea from the woman, asking her partner not to leave and spend the night somewhere else, be it in a subway or out in the rain, just to prove his point. She recognises that his ego has been deflated and that he is hurting, and tries to coax him back by appealing to his pride, telling him to "forget [his] foolish pride".

The song acknowledges that sometimes, after a fight, one's first instinct might be to storm out and sleep in the subway or stand in the rain, just to prove a point or nurse one's bruised ego. However, the song also encourages listeners to consider the consequences of such actions and to remember that relationships require compromise and that "goodbye means nothing when it's all for show".

The woman asks him to stay with her

"Don't Sleep in the Subway" is a song by Petula Clark, released in 1967. The song is about a couple who have many disagreements. The man often retreats into himself instead of engaging with the issue and has threatened to walk out on the woman.

In the song, the woman asks him not to sleep in the subway, but to spend the night with her instead. She is telling him to come up with a solution and make up. The "subway" in the song refers to a pedestrian underpass, not a mode of transportation.

The woman stands in the doorway, watching as her partner storms off down the street, his shoulders hunched against the pouring rain. She knows that he is proud and stubborn, and that once he gets an idea in his head, it is hard to change his mind. But she loves him, and she knows that their relationship is worth fighting for. So, she steps out into the rain, calling his name.

"Don't be foolish," she says, her voice soft but firm. "You know you don't have to go. Come back inside, and we can talk this out." The man hesitates, his hand tightening on the suitcase he holds. She can see the conflict in his eyes, the struggle between his pride and his love for her.

"Please," she continues, taking a step towards him. "I don't want you to spend the night in some cold, damp subway. It's dangerous and uncomfortable. You belong here, with me." She pauses, searching his face. "I love you, and I know we can work this out. Let's not throw away what we have over a little argument."

The man stands, silent and unmoving, as the rain soaks them both. Finally, he takes a deep breath and speaks. "Maybe you're right," he says, his voice rough with emotion. "I'm sorry. I just get so frustrated sometimes, and I don't know how to deal with it." He takes a step towards her, closing the distance between them. "I don't want to sleep in any subway. I want to be here, with you."

Relieved, the woman reaches out and takes his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Then come on back inside," she says with a smile. "We can make a cup of tea and talk all night." And with their hands clasped tightly together, they walk back into their shared home, ready to face their problems together.

The song's title is a reference to a Broadway musical

"Don't Sleep in the Subway" is a song recorded and released by Petula Clark in 1967. The song was written by Tony Hatch and his wife, Jackie Trent. The song is about a couple who have many disagreements. The man often retreats into his own world instead of engaging with the issue. In the song, the narrator advises her sweetheart not to storm out after an argument due to his "foolish pride".

The song's title, "Don't Sleep in the Subway", is a reference to the Broadway musical "Subways Are for Sleeping", which was playing from 1961 to 1962. According to the song's co-writer, Jackie Trent, the title lyric was inspired by this musical. In the context of the song, the phrase "don't sleep in the subway" is asking the man to spend the night with the narrator instead of leaving.

The "subway" in the song title does not refer to a mode of transportation, but rather to the underground passages found in London that enable pedestrians to cross busy intersections. This usage of the term "subway" is specific to the UK, as in North America, the term refers to an underground transit system.

"Don't Sleep in the Subway" was Petula Clark's last song to reach the Top 10 in the US. It peaked at #5 on the US charts in July 1967 and was also Clark's final #1 hit on the Billboard Easy Listening chart. The song was constructed from three different sections of music previously composed by Hatch, with the style changing from pop to symphonic and then to a Beach Boys-like melody for the chorus.

The song is a combination of three different songs

"Don't Sleep in the Subway" is a song recorded by British singer Petula Clark and released in April 1967. It was written by Tony Hatch and his wife, Jackie Trent, and became Clark's favourite of her own hits. The song is a combination of three different songs, moulded into one. Hatch had written the three songs previously but had not completed or released them.

The song is about a couple who have many disagreements. The man tends to retreat into himself instead of engaging with the issue, and threatens to walk out on the woman. She tells him that it's better to find a solution and make up, asking him to spend the night with her instead of sleeping in the subway or standing "in the pouring rain".

The song's title was inspired by the 1961-62 Broadway musical "Subways Are for Sleeping", and the "subway" refers to the underground pedestrian passageways in London, rather than a mode of transportation.

"Don't Sleep in the Subway" was Clark's final US Top Ten single, peaking at No.5 on the US charts in July 1967. It was also her last single release to earn a Grammy nomination.

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