Right Down The Line by Gerry Rafferty

Album: City To City (1978)

Charted: 12

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Songfacts®:

Gerry Rafferty enjoyed some success with his group Stealers Wheel, particularly the single "Stuck In The Middle With You." However, after the band disbanded, legal issues meant Rafferty could not release any material for three years. Once the disputes were resolved, he released his smash hit "Baker Street." "Right Down The Line" is the follow up.
Rafferty married his fellow Scot, hairdresser Carla Ventilla, in 1970, and here he pays tribute to how she stuck by him through thick and thin. He praises Carla for helping him through all the bad times and tells her every day he loves her more and more.
Rafferty had always been partial to a drink or two, which he alludes to in his 1979 single "Night Owl." But a growing alcohol problem placed his marriage under an intolerable strain, and Carla divorced him in 1990, though they remained close.
"Right Down The Line" peaked at #12 on the Hot 100 and also spent four non-consecutive weeks on top of the adult contemporary chart.
Bonnie Raitt covered the song for her 2012 Slipstream album, adding a faux-reggae groove. Released as a single, it reached #17 on the US Adult album alternative chart.
The song plays in the first episode of the second season of the American teen drama TV series Euphoria.

Comments: 13

Michael from ToryThis song was very hot in the summer of 1978.
I was moving cars around on the front line as I was a car salesman at the time and this song came on the radio. I had a son that was turning two with my lady and as I was mixed up with life at that time…what I was going to do, what I was doing.
I decided to marry the love of my life and propose to her. We got married in December ‘78 and are still married to this day.
The lyrics in this song convinced me to move ahead with my woman and it was our first song at our wedding. We still hold hands when it is played to this day.
Thank you Gerry and may peace be with your soul.
Page from Salem, OregonAs for the Northern Star bit, that Chis brought up, if you read the lyrics he's stating that the star is a holding a constant position; constant as the Northen Star/ as to as the person is to him... and that the person is- the brightest light that shines... it is subtle and well crafted verse, not to be confused with logic... it's all from the heart.
Chris 32960 from FloridaAs an amateur astronomer, this song bugs me when he says “ You've been as constant as a Northern Star, The brightest light that shines”

In fact, Polaris is only the 50th brightest star in the sky. It is noteworthy only because it sits directly over the celestial North Pole, and the rest of the night sky appears to rotate around it as it stays stationary.

Sirius is the brightest start. Perhaps we could contact Alan Parsons Project about this.
Frank from Tennessee Right down the line is probably one of my favorites of all time . I sing it to my wife almost every night and it still makes her tear up . So i say thank you to one of musics greatest singer/songwriters of all time . My hats off to you Gerry Rafferty!!!
Oldpink from Farmland, InIt's a very tough balancing act between sounding sufficiently romantic without coming off as drippy sentimental, yet the late GR pulled off that rare feat with this song.
"Baker Street" will forever stand as his masterpiece, and for good reason, but how wonderful to be able to hear the other side of Gerry, and on the same great album.
Kimberly from Landing, NjInsperation was his final love , inprinted in his music. tells all he loved. Right down the line. As for learning life s issues became his challenge. but was his defeat. god bless.
Kimberly from Landing, NjThis is everything that flowed thru the mind of a great , GREAT artist as Jerry - Rest in Peace. One of his Last and most passionate words to be put into harmony. Insperation just may be the key. If fact if insired thy will see results. TY
Camille from Toronto, OhAgree, agree, with all the comments made before me. This is a subtle, incredible song. Radio stations should play it more often. The lyrics, the voice, the instruments all combine perfectly for a song with a great sentiment: it's been you, right.down.the.line.
Joe from Grants Pass, OrI so TOTALLY love this song, and after so many years, it kinda sounds like The Beatles meet Bob Marley - kinda .
Michelle from Mcdonough, Ga1/4/10 R.I.P. Gerry Rafferty- an amazing artist who left us too soon
Rosa from Columbia, ScPosted July 3, 2009. "Right Down the Line" has got to be the greatest song ever. It says so much of how I feel. The instrumental part of the song is awesome. It makes me melt. For sure it gives me a way of telling my favorite person everything I have wanted to say for over 37 years. He is a great person and I would loe to sing this song to him. I want Gerry Rafferty to keep singing forever and ever. His voice captures my heart. His vocal expressions wins my soul. He is definitely singing my words and it truly touches my heart. Thank you Gerry for helping me and for sharing your way of expressing love to someone that means so very much to one.
Adam from Boyce, VaI agree.....This is a very soothing song. Love the sliding guitar and how his vocals seem to blend into it. Great Song!!!
David from Deerfield Beach, FlPosted 11/27/2007. Back in 1978 "Baker Street" was just an out & out smash hit for Gerry Rafferty and remains a great classic and one of my favorite songs still, however, I must say that this song, "Right Down The Line" might very well be my favorite by him. I always loved this song. It's just a gentle, pretty song with a nice little slide guitar & this soothing organ background. I remember back in 1983 I finally got around to getting the "City To City" album basically just cuz I loved these 2 songs. Not particularly expecting much I was pleasantly surprised to find that this turned out to be quite a little gem of an album! This is one of those rare albums where there is not one bad song on there. I enjoy it from start to finish. "Home And Dry" was a good 3rd hit from this also, and "Mattie's Rag", "The Ark", "Island", etc are all nice songs. "City To City" actually reached #1 on the album chart back in 1978, and in my opinion was worthy of the recognition.