Subway Safety: Petula Clark's Warning Song

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 became a hit in the US and the UK, peaking at No.5 and No.12 on the charts, respectively. The song's lyrics narrate the story of a lover's quarrel, where the narrator advises her sweetheart not to storm out due to his foolish pride. The song has also been recorded by other artists, including Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Maye, and was featured in TV shows such as Malcolm in the Middle and Glee.

The song's meaning

"Don't Sleep in the Subway" is a song written by Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent and recorded by the British singer Petula Clark. Released in April 1967, the song's lyrics see a narrator advising her sweetheart against storming out after an argument due to his "foolish pride".

The song's title lyric was inspired by the 1961–62 Broadway musical "Subways Are for Sleeping". In the song, the narrator tells her partner not to "sleep in the subway" or "stand in the pouring rain" because he will only be doing so to prove his point. The term "subway" is used in the North American sense, referring to an underground transit system, rather than the English meaning of a pedestrian underpass.

The song's chorus repeats the phrase ""don't sleep in the subway, darlin' and goes on to say "don't stand in the pouring rain", emphasising that the narrator is trying to protect her partner from the potential dangers of sleeping on the street. The song also hints at the partner's ego and how it can get in the way of their relationship, with lines like "you try to be smart/then you take it apart/cause it hurts when your ego is deflated".

The song's musical style changes from pop to symphonic and then, for the chorus, to a Beach Boys-like melody. "Don't Sleep in the Subway" was nominated for a 1968 Grammy Award 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.

The song's structure

"Don't Sleep in the Subway", written by Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent, is a song recorded by Petula Clark and released as a single in April 1967. The song is constructed from three different sections of music composed by Hatch, with distinct styles: pop, symphonic, and a Beach Boys-like melody for the chorus.

The first verse sets the scene, describing the sweetheart's behaviour:

> "You wander around on your own little cloud

> When you don't see the why or the wherefore

> Ooh, you walk out on me when we both disagree

> 'Cause to reason is not what you care for

> I've heard it all a million times before

> Take off your coat, my love, and close the door."

The second verse continues the narrative, with the singer acknowledging the sweetheart's attempt to be smart but suggesting that it's their ego that's been deflated:

> "You try to be smart, then you take it apart

> 'Cause it hurts when your ego is deflated

> Um-m-um-um-um-um

> You don't realize that it's all compromise

> And the problems are so over-rated."

The pre-chorus emphasises the point that the sweetheart's actions are just for show and that they don't really want to leave:

> "Good-bye means nothing when it's all for show

> So why pretend you've somewhere else to go?"

This leads into the chorus, which delivers the main message of the song:

> "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 structure then repeats this pattern, with a verse, pre-chorus, and chorus, emphasising the narrative arc and the central message of the song. The song fades out with a repeated chorus, leaving a lasting impression of the chorus melody and the song's title.

The song's chart performance

"Don't Sleep in the Subway" was released as a single in April 1967 and entered the Billboard Hot Top 100 chart at position #76 on 28 May 1967. On 2 July, it peaked at #5 on the US charts, becoming Petula Clark's final US Top Ten single. It spent two weeks in this position and remained on the Top 100 for ten weeks.

The song was Clark's second of two #1 hits on the Billboard Easy Listening chart, following 'I Couldn't Live Without Your Love'. It was also her last hit to reach the Top 10 in the States.

In the UK, 'Don't Sleep in the Subway' peaked at #12 in July 1967, marking a decline in Clark's UK chart profile. This downward trend continued until her last appearance on the UK Top 40 with 'Song of My Life' in 1971, which peaked at #32.

The song also charted internationally, reaching #1 in Australia, #3 in Rhodesia, #5 in Canada, #7 in New Zealand, #10 in South Africa, and #16 in Germany. It was Clark's final appearance at #1 on an official national chart.

Petula Clark's career

Petula Clark, born Sally Clark on 15 November 1932 in Ewell, Surrey, England, is a British singer, songwriter, and actress. She has had the longest career of any British entertainer, spanning more than 85 years.

Clark's career began during World War II as a child entertainer on BBC Radio. Her first public performances were as a singer, and she was discovered by film director Maurice Elvey while performing at the Royal Albert Hall in London in 1944. She went on to star in several films, including 'Medal for the General', 'Strawberry Roan', and 'I Know Where I'm Going!'.

In 1946, Clark began her television career with an appearance on a BBC variety show, which led to her hosting her own show, 'Petula Clark'. She also frequently toured the United Kingdom with fellow child performer Julie Andrews and performed for George VI, Winston Churchill, and Bernard Montgomery.

Clark's recording career took off in the 1950s, with hits such as "The Little Shoemaker" (1954), "Majorca" (1955), and "Suddenly There's a Valley" (1955). She recorded in multiple languages, including French, German, Italian, and Spanish.

In the 1960s, Clark's success extended to the United States with a string of upbeat singles, including her signature song "Downtown" (1964), which went to number one in the US and sold 3 million copies. She followed this with several other hits, including "I Know a Place", "My Love" (US number one), "A Sign of the Times", and "I Couldn't Live Without Your Love". During this period, she also composed soundtracks for several French films, including 'A Couteaux Tirés' (1964) and 'Entre ciel et mer' (1963).

In the late 1960s, Clark revived her film career, starring in big musical films such as 'Finian's Rainbow' (1968) and 'Goodbye, Mr. Chips' (1969). She continued to tour and record new music throughout the 1970s, with hits like "The Song of My Life" (1971) and "Loving Arms" (1974).

Clark scaled back her career in the mid-1970s to focus on her family but returned to the stage in the 1980s, starring in productions such as 'The Sound of Music' and 'Candida'. She continued to perform and record new music into the 2000s, with releases like "Oxygen" (1992) and "Natural Love" (1981).

Clark has received numerous honours, including being made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by Queen Elizabeth II in 1998 and a Commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres of France in 2012. She has sold more than 70 million records and is one of the best-selling music artists of all time.

The song's legacy

"Don't Sleep in the Subway" is a song recorded and released by British singer Petula Clark in 1967. It was written by Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent, and released as a single in April 1967. The song is considered a classic and has had a lasting impact on popular culture. It received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Contemporary Song in 1968, demonstrating its recognition within the music industry.

The song is known for its unique construction, with three different sections of music composed by Hatch, resulting in a blend of pop, symphonic, and Beach Boys-like melodies. The lyrics narrate a story of a lover's quarrel, advising against storming out due to "foolish pride". The title phrase, "Don't sleep in the subway, darling", warns against making rash decisions that could lead to uncomfortable or dangerous situations.

The song was a commercial success, peaking at No. 5 on the US charts and becoming Clark's final US Top Ten single. It also reached No. 1 on the Billboard Easy Listening chart, further showcasing its popularity. The song's success extended beyond the US, charting in various countries, including the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Germany.

"Don't Sleep in the Subway" has been covered by numerous artists, including Frank Sinatra, Betty Chung, and Matt Monro, demonstrating its enduring appeal and influence on other musicians. It has also made appearances in popular TV shows such as "Monty Python's Flying Circus" and "Glee", further solidifying its place in popular culture.

Overall, "Don't Sleep in the Subway" is a beloved and influential song that has left a lasting legacy in the music industry and popular culture. Its success and impact on other artists have solidified its place as a classic in the canon of popular music.

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