The Association's Song: Don't Sleep In The Subway

Don't Sleep in the Subway is a song by British singer Petula Clark, released in April 1967. It was written by Tony Hatch and his wife Jackie Trent. The song is about a couple who have had an argument, with the woman advising her partner not to walk out and instead of spending the night sleeping in the subway or standing in the pouring rain, to come back to her. The song reached No.5 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and was 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 has been covered by several artists, including Frank Sinatra, and featured in TV shows such as Glee.

The song's meaning

"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 was the last of Clark's singles to reach the Top 10 in the US. The song is a combination of 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 lyrics describe a couple who frequently have disagreements. The man often walks out on the woman, wandering off in a huff, but the song's narrator advises him not to sleep in the subway or stand in the pouring rain just to prove a point. She asks him to forget his foolish pride and to stay with her, suggesting that his pride is hurt and that his ego has been deflated. The song can be interpreted as a plea for reconciliation, with the narrator urging her partner to realise that their problems are overrated and that relationships are all about compromise.

The "subway" in the song refers to a pedestrian underpass, as is the case in England, rather than an underground train system. The title was inspired by the 1961-62 Broadway musical "Subways Are for Sleeping".

The song has been covered by several artists, including Frank Sinatra, and has been featured in TV shows such as "Glee" and "Malcolm in the Middle".

The song's composition

"Don't Sleep in the Subway" is a song written by Tony Hatch and his wife, Jackie Trent, and recorded by British singer Petula Clark. It was released as a single in April 1967 and featured on Clark's album "These Are My Songs". The song is a combination of 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.

The lyrics describe a couple who have had an argument, with the man threatening to walk out on the woman. The narrator advises against this, suggesting that he will "sleep in the subway" or "stand in the pouring rain" to prove his point. The "subway" in the song refers to a pedestrian underpass, as is the case in England, rather than an underground transit system. The song's title was inspired by the 1961-62 Broadway musical "Subways Are for Sleeping".

The song's catchy melody and relatable lyrics made it an instant hit, reaching the top 10 in several countries, including the US, where it peaked at number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was also Clark's final appearance at number 1 on an official national chart in Australia. "Don't Sleep in the Subway" was nominated for a Grammy award for best contemporary song in 1968, losing to "Up, Up and Away" by The 5th Dimension.

The song has been interpreted in various ways, including as a plea for reconciliation, a warning against the dangers of urban life, or an expression of the fear and loneliness of city life. Clark herself stated that the song was a "bit of a mystery" to her, but it was one of her favourites.

The song's success

"Don't Sleep in the Subway" is a song by British singer Petula Clark, released in April 1967. Written by Tony Hatch and his wife, Jackie Trent, the song became an instant hit, peaking at No. 5 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in July 1967. It also reached No. 1 on the Billboard Easy Listening chart, where it remained for three consecutive weeks. The song's success extended beyond the US, charting in several other countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, Germany, and Rhodesia.

The song's catchy melody and relatable lyrics contributed to its enduring popularity. With its combination of pop, symphonic, and Beach Boys-like melodies, the song offered something for everyone. The lyrics describe a couple's argument, with the woman advising her partner against storming out due to his foolish pride. The song's message of compromise and reconciliation resonated with listeners, and its upbeat tempo and sing-along chorus made it a favourite.

"Don't Sleep in the Subway" was Clark's last hit to reach the US Top 10 and helped establish her as one of the leading pop singers of the 1960s. It also cemented Hatch's reputation as one of the era's most talented songwriters and producers. The song's success led to it being included in several compilations of classic pop songs, ensuring its lasting place in music history.

Over the years, the song has been covered by numerous artists, including Dee Dee Warwick, Frank Sinatra, Matt Monro, and Mari Wilson, among others. It has also been featured in various films and TV shows, such as "Glee", "Spider-Man: Homecoming", and "Blinded by the Light", keeping the song relevant for new generations of listeners.

The song's covers

"Don't Sleep in the Subway" is a song written by Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent and recorded by British singer Petula Clark. It was released as a single in April 1967 and was included on Clark's album "These Are My Songs". The song is about a couple who have had an argument, with the woman trying to reconcile with her partner, advising him against storming out and sleeping in the subway or standing in the pouring rain.

The song has been covered by several artists, including:

• Dee Dee Warwick, who had a minor hit with her version in 1969.
• Betty Chung
• Rita Hovink
• Marilyn Maye
• Matt Monro
• Patti Page
• Frank Sinatra
• Caterina Valente
• Mari Wilson
• Gelu and Los Stop, who both recorded Spanish versions of the song
• Siw Malmkvist, who recorded a Swedish version
• The Bachelors
• The Four Tops
• The Tremeloes
• The cast of Glee
• Rachel Berry and Artie Abrams, characters in the TV show Glee, performed the song in an episode

The song's legacy

"Don't Sleep in the Subway" is a song by British singer Petula Clark, released in April 1967. Written by Tony Hatch and his wife, Jackie Trent, it became an instant hit, reaching the top 10 in several countries and peaking at No.5 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song is considered a classic, with its catchy melody and relatable lyrics resonating with listeners worldwide.

The song is about a couple who have had an argument, with the man threatening to walk out. The woman pleads with him not to "sleep in the subway" or stand in the pouring rain, but to stay with her instead. The "subway" in the song refers to a pedestrian underpass in London, not a mode of transportation. The lyrics can be interpreted in different ways, from a plea for reconciliation to a warning about the dangers of urban life. Clark herself said of the song: "It's a bit of a mystery to me... It's got to be one of my favorites, though I'm not quite sure what it's about. It doesn't matter."

"Don't Sleep in the Subway" was Clark's last hit to reach the Top 10 in the US. It was also her final appearance at No.1 on an official national chart in Australia. The song received a 1968 Grammy Award nomination for Best Contemporary Song, losing to "Up, Up and Away" by The 5th Dimension.

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