David Lee Roth’s new episode of “The Roth Show” entitled “one last cup of coffee…” contains a great choice for a cover song — Gerry Rafferty’s “Baker Street” — and it’s superb! The haunting song features a hypnotic saxophone line, which has got to be rock’s greatest sax riff. It’s lyrics are ultimately about depression, transition, and weary aspiration. Listening to Roth sing this, there’s little doubt it was one of his favorite songs when it was released in the summer of 1978, as Michael, Alex, Eddie and himself were on their first world tour. Recording it must have brought back some fond memories.
Roth’s cover of this classic song has been heard by some fans before, but it’s nice to finally hear it in great quality.
You can listen to the full song below. Just hit the play button — we set the embedded video to start at the beginning of the song.
Lyrics:
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 you were wrong
When you thought it held everything
You used to think that it was so easy
You used to say that it was so easy
But you’re trying, you’re trying now
Another year and then you’d be happy
Just one more year and then you’d be happy
But you’re crying, you’re crying now
Way down the street there’s 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 anything
He’s got this dream about buying some land
He’s gonna give up the booze and the one-night stands
And then he’ll settle down
In some quiet little town
And forget about everything
But you know he’ll always keep moving
You know he’s never gonna stop moving
‘Cause he’s rolling, he’s the rolling stone
And when you wake up, it’s a new morning
The sun is shining, it’s a new morning
And you’re going, you’re going home