Subway Pet Naps: Owners, Stay Alert!

Don't Sleep in the Subway is a song by British singer Petula Clark, released in April 1967. Written by Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent, the song is about a narrator advising their sweetheart against storming out after an argument due to their foolish pride. The song became a hit, peaking at #5 on the US charts and #12 in the UK. It was also Clark's final US Top Ten single and was nominated for a Grammy award for Best Contemporary Song in 1968.

The song's lyrics and meaning

"Don't Sleep in the Subway" is a song about a couple who have frequent disagreements. The man tends to walk out on the woman, retreating into his "own little cloud" instead of engaging with the issue. The lyrics advise the man against storming out after an argument due to his "foolish pride". If he does, he will "sleep in the subway" or "stand in the pouring rain" to prove his point.

The song's narrator, presumably the woman, asks him to stay with her instead of leaving. She acknowledges that he might feel hurt and deflated, but encourages him to compromise and not let his ego get in the way. She points out that "goodbye means nothing when it's all for show" and questions why he would pretend to have somewhere else to go.

The song has a deeper meaning about the nature of relationships and the importance of compromise. It suggests that sometimes it is better to find a solution and make up rather than walking out during a disagreement.

The song was written by Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent and recorded by Petula Clark, who released it as a single in April 1967. It was Clark's last Top 10 hit in the US, peaking at #5 on the charts in July 1967. The song was constructed from three different sections of music previously composed by Hatch, with styles ranging from pop to symphonic to a Beach Boys-like melody for the chorus.

Interestingly, the term "subway" in the song title refers to the underground pedestrian passages in London, rather than a mode of transportation. This usage is in the North American sense, referring to an underground transit system.

The song's musical composition

"Don't Sleep in the Subway" is a song constructed from three different sections of music previously composed by Tony Hatch. The song changes in style from pop to symphonic and then, for the chorus, to a Beach Boys-like melody.

The song's composition is notable for its combination of three distinct musical segments, which were moulded together to create a cohesive whole. This eclectic approach to songwriting resulted in a dynamic and varied listening experience.

The first section of the song, characterised by its pop style, sets the tone and introduces the narrative of the couple's disagreement. The music complements the lyrics, emphasising the narrator's advice to her sweetheart to avoid storming out after an argument due to his "foolish pride".

The second part of the song transitions to a symphonic style, adding a sense of grandeur and drama to the narrative. This shift in style emphasises the importance of the message conveyed in this portion of the song.

Finally, the chorus of the song adopts a Beach Boys-like melody, bringing a sense of lightness and harmony to the overall composition. This melodic chorus provides a catchy and memorable element to the song, inviting listeners to sing along.

The combination of these three distinct musical styles showcases Hatch's versatility and creativity as a songwriter. By blending pop, symphonic, and Beach Boys-inspired elements, he crafted a song that is not only musically engaging but also effectively conveys the emotions and themes of the lyrics.

The musical composition of "Don't Sleep in the Subway" is a testament to Hatch's songwriting prowess and contributes to the enduring appeal of the song.

The song's chart performance

"Don't Sleep in the Subway", written by Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent, was released as a single in April 1967 by British singer Petula Clark. The song is constructed from three different sections of music previously composed by Hatch, transitioning from pop to symphonic and then to a Beach Boys-like melody for the chorus.

In the US, the song peaked at No.5 on the charts in July 1967, becoming Clark's final US Top Ten single. It was also her second No.1 hit on the Billboard Easy Listening chart, where it remained for three consecutive weeks. In the UK, "Don't Sleep in the Subway" peaked at No.12 in July 1967, marking a decline in Clark's UK chart profile. The song reached No.3 in Rhodesia, No.5 in Canada, No.7 in New Zealand, No.10 in South Africa, and No.16 in Germany. In Australia, the song was Clark's final No.1 hit, topping the charts for two consecutive weeks in September 1967.

"Don't Sleep in the Subway" was nominated for a Grammy award in 1968 for Best Contemporary Song but lost to "Up, Up and Away" by The 5th Dimension. This was Clark's last single release to earn a Grammy nomination.

The song's cultural significance

"Don't Sleep in the Subway" is a classic pop song by British singer Petula Clark, released in 1967. The song is about a woman who has had an argument with her partner and is trying to make up with him. She tells him not to leave her alone and to stay with her instead. The lyrics suggest that the woman is afraid of being alone and needs her partner for comfort and security.

The song has several interpretations. It can be seen as a plea for reconciliation between lovers, a warning against the dangers of urban life, or an expression of the fear and loneliness that many people experience in large cities. The song's catchy melody and relatable lyrics made it an instant classic, and it continues to be loved by fans worldwide.

The cultural significance of the song lies in its ability to capture the emotions of fear and loneliness, which many people in large cities experience. The song's upbeat tempo and catchy chorus also make it a memorable and enjoyable listen. "Don't Sleep in the Subway" was Clark's last hit to reach the Top 10 in the US, and it helped establish her as one of the leading pop singers of the 1960s. The song's success also cemented songwriter Tony Hatch's reputation as one of the era's most talented songwriters and producers.

The song's title, "Don't Sleep in the Subway," is interesting as the term subway in England refers to a pedestrian underpass rather than an underground transit system. Hatch used the term in the North American sense, inspired by the 1961-62 Broadway musical "Subways Are for Sleeping." The song's lyrics and title resonated with audiences, and its cultural impact was such that it was even referenced in a sketch on "Monty Python's Flying Circus."

In conclusion, "Don't Sleep in the Subway" is a culturally significant song that captures the emotions of its time and continues to resonate with listeners today. Its catchy melody, relatable lyrics, and memorable chorus have made it an enduring classic in the history of pop music.

The song's writers, Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent

"Don't Sleep in the Subway" was written by Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent, and recorded by British singer Petula Clark, who released it as a single in April 1967. The song is about a couple who have frequent disagreements. The man often retreats into himself instead of engaging with the issue, and threatens to walk out on his partner. The woman tells him not to "sleep in the subway", but to spend the night with her instead.

Tony Hatch is an English composer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and producer. Born in 1939 in Pinner, Middlesex, Hatch began his career in the music industry in 1955, working for Robert Mellin Music in London. He soon began writing songs under the name Mark Anthony, and joined Top Rank Records, where he worked with future Decca Records A&R man Dick Rowe. After serving in the Band of the Coldstream Guards during his National Service, Hatch returned to producing and writing music, working with artists such as Bert Weedon, Adam Faith, and Josh MacRae. In 1960, Hatch's song "Look for a Star", recorded by Garry Mills, became a Top Ten hit in the UK.

Hatch began working with Petula Clark in the early 1960s, writing and producing some of her biggest hits, including "Downtown", "I Know a Place", and "Sign of the Times". In 1964, he wrote his first television theme for the soap opera "Crossroads", which became one of his best-known compositions.

Jackie Trent, born Yvonne Ann Burgess, was an English singer-songwriter and actress. She was born in 1940 in Newcastle-under-Lyme and began her career in entertainment at a young age, appearing in pantomimes and talent shows. She changed her name to Jackie Trent after living in Stoke-on-Trent for a few years. In 1962, she released her first single, "Pick Up the Pieces", and in 1965 she scored her first hit with "Where Are You Now", which she co-wrote with Hatch. Trent and Hatch collaborated on several hits for Petula Clark and other artists, including Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Shirley Bassey. They also wrote theme songs for TV shows, including "Mr & Mrs" and "The Morecambe & Wise Show". In addition to their songwriting, Trent and Hatch performed together, earning the nickname "Mr & Mrs Music". They were married in 1967 and divorced in 2002.

Frequently asked questions