Ralph McTell and others discuss a song that was written in 1969, became an anthem against homelessness and transcended the folk genre to become an enduring classic.
McTell’s song contrasts the common problems of everyday people with those of the homeless, lonely, elderly, ignored and forgotten members of society.
First we listen to a version of the song I recorded and summarize the 3 verses in Key words
Jerry Playle, a music producer, talks about his first ever public performance as a teenage guitarist. He had rehearsed the song Streets of London and the guitar part went well. But when he started to sing, he realised – to his horror – that he couldn’t… Then, something happened in the audience….
Jerry also talks about the Charity organisation Streets of London that deals with Homelessness
Gwen Ever is a radio presenter and a burlesque performer. He loved the song Streets of London when he was young, but, through a series of circumstances, he ended up living in the street himself.
He mentions interesting incidents like the Herald of Free enterprise Ferry disaster