Uke's Guide To Staying Awake On The Subway

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 became a hit, reaching No. 5 on the US charts and No. 12 in the UK. The song is about a couple who have many disagreements, with the man often retreating into his own world instead of facing the issues. The lyrics advise the man against storming out after an argument due to his foolish pride, and the song's title urges him to stay with his partner instead of leaving. The song has been covered by several other artists and has appeared in various TV shows and films.

The meaning of subway in the song

The Meaning of the Subway in the Song

The song "Don't Sleep in the Subway" uses the subway as a central metaphor to deliver a message about the dangers of complacency and the importance of staying alert and active in life. The subway in the song serves as a warning against becoming too comfortable or stagnant in one's daily routine.

When someone sleeps in a subway, they are vulnerable and inactive, simply waiting for their destination to arrive without actively participating in the journey. This passive behavior is what the song cautions against. The subway becomes a symbol of inertia and stagnation, representing a state of mind where one is just going through the motions without truly engaging in life.

The song encourages the listener to avoid this mental state by urging them not to "sleep in the subway." In other words, don't become complacent or passive in your daily life. It's a call to action, urging the listener to stay alert, engaged, and proactive. The subway serves as a powerful metaphor for any situation in life where one might become too comfortable or stagnant, whether it be a job, a relationship, or a routine that has lost its spark.

By using the subway as a central image, the song conveys a sense of the fast-paced, ever-changing nature of modern life. Subways are associated with transit and movement, and the song implores the listener to keep moving, both physically and metaphorically. It suggests that by remaining active and engaged, one can avoid the pitfalls of complacency and stagnation, and instead embrace a life of vitality and growth.

So, the subway in "Don't Sleep in the Subway" serves as a powerful and multifaceted symbol. It represents the dangers of complacency and inertia, while also emphasizing the importance of staying alert, active, and engaged in one's life journey. The song encourages listeners to avoid mental stagnation and embrace a more dynamic and fulfilling approach to life.

The song's musical composition

"Don't Sleep in the Subway" is a song written by Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent and recorded by British singer Petula Clark. The song was released as a single in April 1967 and was Clark's last hit to reach the Top 10 in the US. It was also nominated for a Grammy award for best contemporary song in 1968, losing to "Up, Up and Away" by The 5th Dimension.

The song is 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. In the song, the narrator advises her sweetheart against storming out after an argument due to his "foolish pride". The lyrics warn against sleeping in the subway or standing in the pouring rain just to prove a point. The "subway" in the song refers to a pedestrian underpass in England, rather than an underground transit system.

The song is known for its catchy and memorable chorus, with 21 chords used throughout the song. It has been praised for its witty lyrics and the way it builds musically, with each musical style flowing into the next. The song has been covered by several artists, including Betty Chung, Rita Hovink, Marilyn Maye, Matt Monro, and Frank Sinatra, and has appeared in various TV shows and films, including "Malcolm in the Middle" and "Monty Python's Flying Circus".

The song's lyrical content

"Don't Sleep in the Subway" is a song about a couple's disagreements and the man's tendency to retreat into his own world instead of engaging with the issue. The lyrics depict the woman advising her sweetheart against storming out after an argument due to his "foolish pride". She warns him that if he leaves, he will be sleeping in the subway or standing in the pouring rain, just to prove his point. The song encourages him to stay and work things out, rather than wandering around on his "own little cloud".

The chorus reinforces the message with the lines: "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". The narrator acknowledges that their partner might want to "take off your coat, my love, and close the door", but she urges him not to sleep in the subway.

The song also explores the dynamics of the relationship, with the woman trying to reason with her partner, even though he walks out when they disagree. She understands that his ego might be hurt and that he wants to be smart, but she encourages him to let go of his pride and realise that relationships are about compromise.

The song's title, "Don't Sleep in the Subway", is a metaphor for the man's potential actions if he chooses to leave. In this context, the "subway" refers to a pedestrian underpass, commonly found in London, rather than an underground transit system.

Overall, the lyrical content of "Don't Sleep in the Subway" explores the complexities of a relationship, the importance of compromise, and the potential consequences of letting pride get in the way.

The song's performance and reception

"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, who released it as a single in April 1967. The song is about a couple who have many disagreements, with the man often retreating into his own world instead of engaging with the issue. In the song, the woman advises her sweetheart against storming out after an argument due to his "foolish pride". She tells him to not "sleep in the subway" or "stand in the pouring rain" to prove his point.

The song received a 1968 Grammy Award nomination for Best Contemporary Song, losing to "Up, Up and Away" by The 5th Dimension. "Don't Sleep in the Subway" 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 peaked at No. 5 on the US charts in July 1967, becoming Clark's final US Top Ten single. It also reached No. 1 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 also charted in several other countries, including Australia, where it reached No. 1, Rhodesia (No. 3), Canada (No. 5), New Zealand (No. 7), South Africa (No. 10), and Germany (No. 16). "Don't Sleep in the Subway" has been recorded by several other artists, including Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Maye, and Matt Monro. It has also been referenced and featured in various TV shows and films, including "Monty Python's Flying Circus" and "Malcolm in the Middle".

Clark has cited "Don't Sleep in the Subway" as one of her favourite songs, stating that it is "a bit of a mystery" to her. She has continued to perform the song in her concerts over the years.

The song's legacy and impact

"Don't Sleep in the Subway" is a song written by Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent and recorded by the British singer Petula Clark, who released it as a single in April 1967. The song is about a couple who have many disagreements. The man often retreats into his own world instead of engaging with the issue, and when he threatens to walk out, the woman tells him that it's better to find 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 song was constructed from three different sections of music previously composed by Hatch, changing in style from pop to symphonic and then, for the chorus, to a Beach Boys-like melody. The song received a 1968 Grammy Award nomination for Best Contemporary Song, losing to "Up, Up and Away" by The 5th Dimension. It peaked at No. 5 on the US charts in July 1967, becoming Clark's final US Top Ten single. It also reached No. 1 on the Australian charts, marking Clark's final appearance at No. 1 on an official national chart.

"Don't Sleep in the Subway" has been recorded by several other artists, including Betty Chung, Rita Hovink, Marilyn Maye, Matt Monro, Patti Page, Frank Sinatra, Caterina Valente, and Mari Wilson. A Spanish rendering, "No duermas en el metro," was recorded by Gelu and Los Stop. Siw Malmkvist recorded a Swedish version, "Sov Inte På Tunnelbanan," in 1970. The song has also appeared in popular culture, including in an episode of the TV show "Malcolm in the Middle" and performed by characters in the 2014 "Glee" episode "New New York".

Clark has cited "Don't Sleep in the Subway" as one of her favourite songs, although she has said that it's a bit of a mystery to her and she's not quite sure what it's about. The song's producer, Tony Hatch, has also said that the song is a combination of three different songs he had written but not completed. The segments of the unfinished songs were moulded into one to create "Don't Sleep in the Subway".

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