Subway Sleeping: A Dangerous Choice For The Weary

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 Clark's final US Top Ten single. 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. 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 has been covered by many artists, including Frank Sinatra and Mari Wilson.

The song's lyrics

"Don't Sleep in the Subway" is a song about a couple who have many disagreements. The man often retreats into his own world instead of engaging with the issue, and sometimes threatens to walk out on his partner. The lyrics are from the perspective of the woman, who tells her partner that it's better to find a solution and make up. When she tells him, "don't sleep in the subway", she is asking him to spend the night with her instead of leaving.

The chorus of the song reinforces the message of the verses, with the woman pleading with her partner to forget his foolish pride and stay with her. She acknowledges that the night is long, but assures him that nothing is wrong now that he is by her side again.

"Don't Sleep in the Subway" was 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, peaking at #5 on the US charts in July 1967. The song has also been recorded by other artists, including Frank Sinatra and Mari Wilson.

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 was Clark's final US Top Ten single, peaking at #5 on the US charts in July 1967. 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.

The lyrics of the song narrate a couple's disagreement, where the man often walks out and retreats into his own world instead of engaging with the issue. The woman, recognising this, advises him against storming out due to his "foolish pride". She warns him that if he does, he will ""sleep in the subway" or "stand in the pouring rain" just to prove his point. The phrase "don't sleep in the subway" is an appeal from the woman to the man to spend the night with her instead of leaving.

The song's title, "Don't Sleep in the Subway", is not meant literally, as the term ""subway" in England at the time referred to a pedestrian underpass rather than an underground transit system. However, Hatch employed the term in the North American sense, as the song's co-writer, Jackie Trent, suggested the title lyric based on the 1961-62 Broadway musical "Subways Are for Sleeping".

"Don't Sleep in the Subway" has been widely recognised and covered by various artists, including Betty Chung, Rita Hovink, Marilyn Maye, Matt Monro, Patti Page, Frank Sinatra, Caterina Valente, and Mari Wilson. It received a 1968 Grammy Award nomination for Best Contemporary Song, showcasing its impact and popularity in the music industry.

The meaning of subway

In the song "Don't Sleep in the Subway", the narrator is advising her sweetheart not to sleep in the subway or stand in the pouring rain after an argument due to his "foolish pride". The term "subway" here refers to a pedestrian underpass, a common feature in the UK, particularly in London, where they serve as crossings for busy intersections.

The song's lyrics convey a message of compromise and mutual understanding in a relationship. The narrator is asking her partner to spend the night with her instead of leaving in a huff. She acknowledges that they may have disagreements and that he may want to walk out, but she encourages him to stay and work things out.

The song's title, "Don't Sleep in the Subway", is thus a metaphor for not letting pride or ego get in the way of a relationship. It suggests that sleeping in the subway, or wandering around aimlessly, is a waste of time when there is an opportunity to resolve issues and be together.

The song also acknowledges the potential consequences of not heeding this advice, implying that sleeping in the subway or standing in the rain will only serve to prove a point and may not be worth the discomfort or hardship.

The song's covers

"Don't Sleep in the Subway", written by Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent, was recorded and released as a single in April 1967 by British singer Petula Clark. The song is about a couple who have a lot of disagreements, with the man often choosing to walk out on the woman. The lyrics are from the perspective of the woman, who is asking her partner not to sleep in the subway or stand in the pouring rain after a fight, but to instead spend the night with her.

The song has been covered by several artists, including:

• Betty Chung
• Rita Hovink
• Marilyn Maye
• Matt Monro
• Patti Page
• Frank Sinatra
• Caterina Valente
• Mari Wilson
• Gelu and Los Stop, who recorded a Spanish version
• Siw Malmkvist, who recorded a Swedish version
• The Glee cast, including Rachel Berry and Artie Abrams

The song's appearances in TV shows

"Don't Sleep in the Subway" has made appearances in several TV shows. The song was performed by Rachel Berry (Lea Michele) and Artie Abrams (Kevin McHale) in the 2014 Glee episode "New New York". In the episode, Rachel and Artie are in the subway singing, and the passengers are dancing with them.

The song also made a brief appearance in the Malcolm in the Middle episode "Emancipation". In the episode, Lois blasts the song on her car stereo to avoid confronting Francis about his legal emancipation.

Additionally, Robert from Houston, Texas, mentioned in a comment on the website Songfacts.com that John Cleese sang a brief snippet of the song on an episode of Monty Python's Flying Circus.

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