Herbie Murray
Don't Sleep in the Subway is a song written by Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent and recorded by the British singer Petula Clark. It was released as a single in April 1967 and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Song in 1968. The song's title lyric was inspired by the 1961-62 Broadway musical Subways Are for Sleeping. In the song, the narrator advises her sweetheart against storming out after an argument due to his foolish pride. She tells him not to sleep in the subway or stand in the pouring rain but to spend the night with her and work things out. The song has been covered by several other artists and has appeared in popular culture, including the TV shows Glee and Malcolm in the Middle.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Artist | Petula Clark |
| Writers | Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent |
| Genre | Pop, Symphonic, Beach Boys-like melody |
| Theme | A couple's disagreements and the man's tendency to retreat into his own world |
| Lyrics | "Take off your clothes, my love, and close the door", "Don't sleep in the subway, darling", "Don't stand in the pouring rain", "The night is long", "Forget your foolish pride", "Nothing's wrong, now you're beside me again" |
| Peaked at | No.5 on the US charts in July 1967 |
| Awards | 1968 Grammy Award nomination for Best Contemporary Song |
| Appearances | Glee episode "New New York", Malcolm in the Middle episode "Emancipation" |
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What You'll Learn
Don't Sleep in the Subway is a song by Petula Clark
"Don't Sleep in the Subway" is a song by Petula Clark, released in April 1967. It was written by Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent and became one of Clark's favourite songs. The song is about a couple who have many disagreements. When the man threatens to walk out, the woman asks him to stay with her instead of leaving.
The song's title has a specific meaning. According to co-writer Jackie Trent, it was inspired by the 1961-62 Broadway musical "Subways Are for Sleeping". In the song, the woman is asking her partner not to sleep in the subway, which refers to the underground passages in London that allow pedestrians to cross busy intersections.
"Don't Sleep in the Subway" was a commercial success, peaking at #5 on the US charts and becoming Clark's final US Top Ten single. It also reached #1 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Tracks chart and charted highly in several other countries, including Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa. The song received a 1968 Grammy Award nomination for Best Contemporary Song.
Despite its popularity, the song's lyrics have been the subject of some confusion and debate. Some listeners have interpreted the line ""Take off your clothes, my love, and close the door" as risqué, especially considering the conservative atmosphere of 1960s pop radio. However, others suggest the correct lyric may be "Take off your cloak/coat, my love, and close the door." Clark herself has admitted that the song is a "bit of a mystery" to her, but it remains one of her favourites.
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The song's title was inspired by the 1961-62 Broadway musical, 'Subways Are for Sleeping'
The song "Don't Sleep in the Subway" was written by Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent and recorded by the British singer Petula Clark. It was released as a single in April 1967 and received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Contemporary Song in 1968. The song is about a couple who have a lot of disagreements. When the man threatens to walk out on the woman, she tells him that it's better to come up with a solution and make up. When she says, "don't sleep in the subway," she is asking him to spend the night with her instead of leaving.
The title of the song was inspired by the 1961-62 Broadway musical "Subways Are for Sleeping," which was based on an article about subway homelessness published in Harper's magazine in March 1956. The musical was produced by David Merrick, with book and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, and music by Jule Styne. The original Broadway production ran from December 27, 1961, to June 23, 1962, at the St. James Theatre in New York City.
According to the song's co-writer, Jackie Trent, the title lyric was suggested by the Broadway musical. The song "Don't Sleep in the Subway" peaked at No. 5 on the US charts in July 1967 and became Clark's final US Top Ten single. It was also her second of two No. 1 hits on the Billboard Easy Listening chart. The song was constructed from three different sections of music previously composed by Hatch, changing in style from pop to symphonic and then to a Beach Boys-like melody for the chorus.
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The song's lyrics refer to a couple's disagreements
The song "Don't Sleep in the Subway" by Petula Clark is about a couple who have many disagreements. The lyrics refer to the man's tendency to retreat into his own world instead of engaging with the issue at hand. When the couple disagrees, he walks out on her, and she tells him that it's better to find a solution and make up.
In the song, the narrator advises her sweetheart against storming out after an argument due to his "foolish pride". She tells him not to "sleep in the subway" or "stand in the pouring rain" to prove his point. The term "subway" in the song refers to a pedestrian underpass, as is the case in England, rather than an underground transit system.
The song's lyrics describe the man's behaviour when they disagree:
> "You wander around on your own little cloud
> When you don't see the why or the wherefore
> You walk out on me when we both disagree
> 'Cause to reason is not what you care for"
The woman, on the other hand, wants him to stay and work things out:
> "Take off your coat, my love, and close the door
> Don't sleep in the subway, darlin'
> Don't stand in the pouring rain
> Don't sleep in the subway, darlin'
> The night is long
> Forget your foolish pride
> Nothing's wrong, now you're beside me again"
The song suggests that the man's ego is hurt and that he needs to realise that relationships are about compromise and that problems are often overrated. The lyrics also hint at the superficial nature of their relationship, where goodbyes mean nothing and pretending to have somewhere else to go is just a show:
> "Goodbye means nothing when it's all for show
> So why pretend you've somewhere else to go?"
Overall, the song "Don't Sleep in the Subway" reflects on the couple's disagreements and the woman's attempts to reconcile, encouraging her partner to stay and work through their issues instead of walking out.
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The song's success saw it peak at #5 on the US charts in July 1967
"Don't Sleep in the Subway" is a song by Petula Clark, released in April 1967. The song was written by Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent, the latter of whom suggested the title lyric, inspired by the 1961-62 Broadway musical "Subways Are for Sleeping".
The song's success was evident as it peaked at #5 on the US charts in July 1967, marking Clark's final US Top Ten single. This achievement highlighted its popularity among American audiences and solidified its place as one of Clark's most well-known songs. The song also reached #1 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Tracks chart in July 1967, further emphasising its resonance with listeners during that time.
In addition to its success in the US, "Don't Sleep in the Subway" also charted in several other countries. It reached #3 in Rhodesia, #5 in Canada, #7 in New Zealand, #10 in South Africa, and #16 in Germany. The song's international reach extended its impact and demonstrated its appeal to a diverse range of audiences.
The song's lyrics depict a couple's disagreements, with the man often retreating into himself instead of engaging in conflict resolution. When he threatens to walk out, the woman encourages him to stay and work things out. The line "don't sleep in the subway, darlin'" is a plea for him to spend the night with her instead of leaving. This interpretation adds depth to the song's narrative and showcases the emotional dynamic between the couple.
"Don't Sleep in the Subway" has stood the test of time, remaining a memorable part of popular culture. It received a 1968 Grammy Award nomination for Best Contemporary Song and has been covered by numerous artists, including Betty Chung, Rita Hovink, and Frank Sinatra. The song's success in the US charts during July 1967 contributed to its enduring legacy and ensured its place in the history of popular music.
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The song has been covered by many artists
"Don't Sleep in the Subway" was written by Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent and recorded by Petula Clark, who released it as a single in April 1967. The song has been covered by numerous artists since its original release.
One notable cover is by Betty Chung, a Chinese singer known for her unique style and versatile voice. Her version of "Don't Sleep in the Subway" stays true to the original while adding her own distinct flavour. Rita Hovink, a Dutch singer with a powerful voice and a passion for jazz and blues, also recorded a memorable cover of the song, showcasing her soulful interpretation.
Marilyn Maye, an American jazz singer and pianist, brought her own style to the song. Known for her expressive voice and captivating stage presence, Maye's version of "Don't Sleep in the Subway" is a favourite among her fans. Matt Monro, a legendary British singer with a rich and smooth voice, also covered the song, adding his own touch of class and sophistication.
Patti Page, an American singer with a diverse repertoire, recorded her own interpretation of "Don't Sleep in the Subway." Page's version showcases her unique style and vocal range. Frank Sinatra, one of the most iconic singers of all time, also covered the song, leaving his indelible mark on it. His version is a testament to his legendary status in the music industry.
Caterina Valente, a multilingual singer, guitarist, and dancer, brought her own cultural flair to the song. Her version showcases her unique ability to perform in multiple languages while maintaining her signature style. Mari Wilson, an English singer and actress known for her powerful voice and retro style, also recorded a memorable cover of "Don't Sleep in the Subway," adding her own modern twist.
The song has even been rendered in different languages. A Spanish version, "No duermas en el metro," was recorded by Gelu and Los Stop, bringing a Latin flavour to the song. Siw Malmkvist recorded a Swedish version, "Sov inte på tunnelbanan," in 1970, showcasing the song's appeal across cultural boundaries.
The song's impact can also be seen in its appearances in popular culture. It was featured in the 2014 Glee episode "New New York," performed by Rachel Berry (Lea Michele) and Artie Abrams (Kevin McHale). It also made a brief appearance in the Malcolm in the Middle episode "Emancipation", where Lois blasts the song in her car to avoid confronting her son Francis about his legal emancipation.
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Frequently asked questions
The song "Don't Sleep in the Subway" is about a couple who have a lot of disagreements. The man often retreats into his own world instead of engaging with the issue. The woman is telling him that it's better to come up with a solution and make up, rather than him walking out and sleeping in the subway or standing in the pouring rain just to prove his point.
"Don't Sleep in the Subway" was written by Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent, and recorded by the British singer Petula Clark. It was released in April 1967.
The title lyric was suggested by the 1961-62 Broadway musical "Subways Are for Sleeping". In England, the term "subway" refers to a pedestrian underpass rather than an underground transit system.
"Don't Sleep in the Subway" received a 1968 Grammy Award nomination for Best Contemporary Song but lost to "Up, Up and Away" by The 5th Dimension. It also peaked at No.5 on the US charts in July 1967, becoming Clark's final US Top Ten single.
