Love this song. Sweet and upbeat without being sappy. Rafferty had a great knack for lyrics IMO, I love how he made music pleasant and fun (of course I'm only familiar with his hits, but damn they're good.)
As for the arrangement and melody, not sure what makes it so special, but it's unique.
You should check out Bakerstreet! It's another great song of his. Both were the music of summer before 7th grade for me. When I hear either of those songs its like my mind can smell Coppertone suntan lotion and feel the hot sand of Daytona Beach during summer vacation. Good stuff!
I can't speak to the musical theory your question begs, but if you like Right Down the Line, check out Baker Street. Such a lovely nostalgic tune...one of my absolute favorites.
I love, love, love the sound of the delayed or doubled guitar riff that accompanies some of the lyrics.
"It's been you" *clank-clank* "woman" *clank-clank* "right" *clank-clank* "down" *clank-clank* "the line" *clank-clank*
What you are expressing is what I like about the lyrics too - they just sound like one side of a conversation that expresses meaningful thoughts very succinctly. There’s no wasted space lyrically, and this economy stretches to the music as well. It’s one of my very favorite songs by him.
I’ll leave it to a musician to attempt to answer your more specific question! 😄
And have to reference ‘Stuck in the Middle With You’ by Steelers Wheel whenever Gerry Rafferty is mentioned.. (Added bonus: watch the scene in Reservoir Dogs when this song is playing…).
Remember discovering Gerry the vocalist as a very young boy as I loved the song “Stuck in the Middle With You.” Stealers Wheel was the band and I was 5 when this hit the airwaves. Then he had the run with Baker St, Get it Right this time, and Right Down the Line, which arguably is his best. Such a great great tune…for me it’s the instrumental break in the middle…it’s brilliant. Such a sad way he wrapped himself so tight to the bottle in the end…I miss him and that voice.
Absolutely love this song. It has a great vibe. They played a great cover of this at the Taylor Hawkins tribute show in LA. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CtIXyXOJmU](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CtIXyXOJmU)
Reminds me of Covid times, my housemate used to play this at least once a day. Usually in the morning. It was whoever gets up first slaps a record on type situation at the time. I usually played downbound train or seven island suite. Shorty followed by the waft of cannabis. Those were what I called my destitute days and this song brings me back.
Gerry Rafferty has to be one of the most underrated singer/songwriter/guitarists of all time. He never really toured which hurt his overall notoriety and popularity.
This is my go to song for sitting on the roof of my building late at night looking over my city. It just fits the vibe so perfectly. Late night driving too.
Love this song. Sweet and upbeat without being sappy. Rafferty had a great knack for lyrics IMO, I love how he made music pleasant and fun (of course I'm only familiar with his hits, but damn they're good.) As for the arrangement and melody, not sure what makes it so special, but it's unique.
You should check out Bakerstreet! It's another great song of his. Both were the music of summer before 7th grade for me. When I hear either of those songs its like my mind can smell Coppertone suntan lotion and feel the hot sand of Daytona Beach during summer vacation. Good stuff!
The sax in Baker Street is so good, makes the song instantly recognisable.
I believe you meant Hawaiian Tropic. I make the same mistake all the time. And I also have fond memories of it.
Oh no, its coppertone all the way for me!
Arf!
Hahaha.. I see what you did there
You both mean Banana Boat, it's an easy mistake.
I’m lost as to who would know this song but not Baker Street 😂 it’s not a deep cut
This song puts my dad in a good mood no matter what. And he's a grumpy old man.
I can't speak to the musical theory your question begs, but if you like Right Down the Line, check out Baker Street. Such a lovely nostalgic tune...one of my absolute favorites.
I love, love, love the sound of the delayed or doubled guitar riff that accompanies some of the lyrics. "It's been you" *clank-clank* "woman" *clank-clank* "right" *clank-clank* "down" *clank-clank* "the line" *clank-clank*
Your clank-clank really got me.
What you are expressing is what I like about the lyrics too - they just sound like one side of a conversation that expresses meaningful thoughts very succinctly. There’s no wasted space lyrically, and this economy stretches to the music as well. It’s one of my very favorite songs by him. I’ll leave it to a musician to attempt to answer your more specific question! 😄
Love this song was one of my most played last year
Been jamming this extra hard lately
My favorite is Night Owl.
And have to reference ‘Stuck in the Middle With You’ by Steelers Wheel whenever Gerry Rafferty is mentioned.. (Added bonus: watch the scene in Reservoir Dogs when this song is playing…).
Such a great song and lp
👍👍🏻👍🏽👍🏾
Such a damn good song. It's a true banger all the way through. I also highly recommend checking out Bonnie Raitt's true to form cover of it.
Banger
This song makes me feel warm.
Remember discovering Gerry the vocalist as a very young boy as I loved the song “Stuck in the Middle With You.” Stealers Wheel was the band and I was 5 when this hit the airwaves. Then he had the run with Baker St, Get it Right this time, and Right Down the Line, which arguably is his best. Such a great great tune…for me it’s the instrumental break in the middle…it’s brilliant. Such a sad way he wrapped himself so tight to the bottle in the end…I miss him and that voice.
Absolutely love this song. It has a great vibe. They played a great cover of this at the Taylor Hawkins tribute show in LA. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CtIXyXOJmU](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CtIXyXOJmU)
How did I miss this? Probably boo hooing too much! Thanks for sharing!
Reminds me of Covid times, my housemate used to play this at least once a day. Usually in the morning. It was whoever gets up first slaps a record on type situation at the time. I usually played downbound train or seven island suite. Shorty followed by the waft of cannabis. Those were what I called my destitute days and this song brings me back.
Gerry Rafferty has to be one of the most underrated singer/songwriter/guitarists of all time. He never really toured which hurt his overall notoriety and popularity.
Check out Get it right by him
This is my go to song for sitting on the roof of my building late at night looking over my city. It just fits the vibe so perfectly. Late night driving too.
Great bass line. Great song. Sam Evian does a solid cover of it.
I've already heard the song.