When The City Sleeps by Barclay James Harvest

Album: Harvest Years (1975)

License This Song

lyrics

Songfacts®:

"When The City Sleeps" is a song about walking through a deserted city in the small hours. According to the December 1996 issue of the fanzine Nova Lepidoptera, "It's actually a solo track, as Woolly sang and played everything on it." The A Side is "Breathless"; the band used an alias "when this Chicory Tip - style instrumental was issued" and "listening to it now, one appreciates the wisdom of that decision! Just a bit of fun, really, and it could have been worse - it could have been a hit!"
The single was released in the UK on the Harvest label on March 21, 1975. >>
Suggestion credit:
Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 2

Comments: 1

Volker from GermanyThis was released in 1972 under the moniker "BOMBADIL" (a Tolkien character), not BJH. The Composition is credited to "Lester Forest" (aka Woolly Wolstenolme), whereas the A-Side containing the instrumental "Breathless" is credited to "Terry Bull" (aka John Lees). Source: Discogs.

see more comments

More Songfacts:

One DanceDrake

Drake's "One Dance" was the first ever song to rack up one billion streams on Spotify.

Come On EileenDexys Midnight Runners

Dexys Midnight Runners' "Come on Eileen" is based on a real girl called Eileen that the band's Kevin Rowland had a relationship with in his early teenage years.

Shine On You Crazy DiamondPink Floyd

Pink Floyd's "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" is about their founding member Syd Barrett, who became an acid casualty. Notice the S-Y-D in the title.

Zoot Suit RiotCherry Poppin' Daddies

"Zoot Suit Riot" isn't just a Cherry Poppin' Daddies song - the Zoot Suit Riots were real riots in Los Angeles that took place in 1943 and inspired the song's lyrics.