Gerry Rafferty, 1947- 2011, Scottish Bard of “Baker Street”

Gerry Rafferty, April 16, 1947  –  January 4, 2011  the Scottish singer songwriter best known for “Baker Street,”  (1978) which took saxophones and made them sing like bagpipes doing jazz,  has passed away at home.  He was 63.

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Gerry Rafferty

the lyrics, Baker Street. (The song’s iconic musical saxophone riffs were played by Raphael Ravenscroft. )

Winding your way down on Baker Street

Light in your head and dead on your feet

well another crazy day you’ll drink the night away

and forget about everything

this city desert makes you feel so cold

it’s got so many people but it’s got no soul

and it’s taken you so long to find out that you were wrong

and forget about everything

You used to think it was so easy

you used to say it was so easy

but you’re tryin’   you’re try -in’ now

Another year and then you’ll be happy

just one more year and then you’ll be happy

but you’re crying,  you’re cryin’ now

(music riff )

Way down the street there a light in his place

He opens the door, he’s got that look on his face

and he asks you where you’ve been you tell him who you’ve seen

And you talk about everything

He’s got this dream about buyin’ some land

He’s gonna give up the booze and the one night stands

and then he’ll settle down

in a quiet little town

and forget about everything

But you know he’ll always keep moving

You know he’s never going to stop movin’

He’s rolling, he’s a rolling stone

And when you wake up it’s a new morning

THe sun is shining, it’s a new morning

But you’re going, you’re going home

(music riff )

Baker Street – Version with vocals and written lyrics  

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And proof of what a classic this is- just the instrumental version, which downloads faster

El sax de Lisa (the Simpsons) – Baker Street

Gerry Rafferty grew up in Paisley, Scotland, born to a Scottish mother and an Irish father who was a miner.  Besides Baker Street, he wrote “Stuck in the Middle with You” and “Right Down the Line.”   He also wrote “Night Owl,” and “Take the Money and Run.”   “Stuck in the Middle with You”  ( “Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right, here I am, stuck in the middle with you” ) was later used as part of the soundtrack of the film Reservoir Dogs.

He struggled with his health and a lack of stage ease, yet  was an inspiration and will be missed. RIP.

” I just do the best I can, and leave the rest to the gods. ”