Herbie Murray
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 was constructed from three different sections of music previously composed by Hatch and changes in style from pop to symphonic and then, for the chorus, to a Beach Boys-like melody. The lyrics feature a narrator advising her sweetheart against storming out after an argument due to his foolish pride. The song has also been recorded by Betty Chung, Rita Hovink, Marilyn Maye, Matt Monro, Patti Page, Frank Sinatra, Caterina Valente, and Mari Wilson.
What You'll Learn
The song's meaning
"Don't Sleep in the Subway" is a song about a couple who have had an argument, with the woman trying to make up with her partner. The lyrics suggest that the woman is afraid of being alone and that she needs her partner for comfort and security.
The song's narrator advises her sweetheart 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 "subway" in the song refers to a pedestrian underpass, not a mode of transportation. The song's title was inspired by the 1961-62 Broadway musical "Subways Are for Sleeping".
The song has been interpreted in several ways. Some see it as a plea for reconciliation, while others view it as a warning against the dangers of urban life. It is also seen as an expression of the fear and loneliness that many people experience in large cities.
"Don't Sleep in the Subway" is an important song in the history of pop music. Its catchy melody and relatable lyrics made it an instant classic, and it helped establish Petula Clark as one of the leading pop singers of the 1960s. The song was written by Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent, and it was Clark's last hit to reach the Top 10 in the US.
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The song's composition
"Don't Sleep in the Subway" is a song written by Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent and recorded by the British singer Petula Clark. It was released as a single in April 1967 and was Clark's final US Top Ten single, peaking at No.5 on the US charts in July 1967. The song is composed of three different sections of music previously written by Hatch, transitioning from pop to symphonic and then, for the chorus, to a Beach Boys-like melody.
The lyrics of the song narrate a couple's disagreement, where the man tends to wander off and retreat into his own world instead of engaging with the issue. The narrator advises her sweetheart against storming out after an argument 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 "subway" in the song refers to the underground pedestrian passages in London, rather than a train or underground transit system.
The song's title was inspired by the 1961-62 Broadway musical "Subways Are for Sleeping", as suggested by the song's co-writer, Jackie Trent. The song has been covered by several other artists, including Frank Sinatra, who included it in his 1967 Reprise album, "The World We Knew".
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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 was 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" received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Contemporary Song in 1968 but lost to "Up, Up and Away" by The 5th Dimension. Despite this, the song is considered one of Clark's favourites and remains a part of her concert repertoire.
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The song's covers
"Don't Sleep in the Subway" has been covered by several artists since its original release by Petula Clark in 1967. The song was written by Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent, and it became one of Clark's favourite hits.
The song has also been recorded by Betty Chung, Rita Hovink, Marilyn Maye, Matt Monro, Patti Page, Frank Sinatra, Caterina Valente, and Mari Wilson. A Spanish version, "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 was also covered by the Glee cast in 2014.
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The song's legacy
"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 Jackie Trent and became one of Clark's biggest hits. The song received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Contemporary Song in 1968, showcasing its immediate impact and critical acclaim.
The song's catchy melody and relatable lyrics made it an instant classic, resonating with listeners worldwide. It peaked at No.5 on the US Billboard Hot 100 charts, becoming Clark's final US Top Ten single. It also reached No.1 on the Billboard Easy Listening chart, spending three consecutive weeks at the top spot. The song's success extended beyond the US, charting in several other countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the UK.
The legacy of "Don't Sleep in the Subway" lies in its enduring popularity and cultural impact. Over the years, it has been covered by numerous artists, including Frank Sinatra, Matt Monro, and Mari Wilson. It has also been featured in various films and TV shows, such as "Glee", Spider-Man: Homecoming, and "Malcolm in the Middle".
The song's lyrics have been interpreted in different ways, adding to its intrigue. Some see it as a plea for reconciliation between lovers, while others interpret it as a warning against the dangers of urban life. The song's message of fear, loneliness, and the need for compromise resonates with audiences, contributing to its lasting appeal.
"Don't Sleep in the Subway" is considered a classic pop song of the 1960s, solidifying Clark's status as one of the leading pop singers of that era. It also enhanced the reputation of songwriter Tony Hatch, showcasing his talent for creating catchy and memorable melodies. The song's success and enduring popularity make it an essential part of the cultural landscape of the 1960s and a beloved classic for music fans worldwide.
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Frequently asked questions
The song "Don't Sleep in the Subway" was recorded by the British singer Petula Clark and released as a single in April 1967.
The song was written by Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent.
The song is about a couple who have a lot of disagreements. The man often walks out on the woman, and she is asking him to stay and work things out instead of leaving.
Yes, the song has been covered by several other artists, including Betty Chung, Rita Hovink, Marilyn Maye, Matt Monro, Patti Page, Frank Sinatra, Caterina Valente, and Mari Wilson.
