LONDON (#1) and LONDON (#2)
Poems (audio) plus commentary on London songs and travel tips
Book a fab trip to London via Go City
#1
L ove this enchanting, surprising forest city
O pt for a spot of tea here over a cup of coffee
N otably better, have an afternoon tea at
D iamond Jubilee or fab Berkeley
O verlook the city mid sky high
N estled in a capsule of the Eye
#2
Loathe the fast paced nature and flow
On the Tube and streets, although
Navigating the buzzy food stands at Borough
Definitely worth giving it a go
Of course, you can forgo
Noisy parts for a serene Regent’s Canal row
MORE ON LONDON
5 SONGS ABOUT LONDON WORTH A LISTEN
Waterloo Sunset by The Kinks
Ideal to play this one in the car around the city. Fun opening guitar and very hummable tune. Released in 1967. It probably should have been a number #1 hit in the U.K. for the London based band, however, it fell just short at #2.
Selected lyrics:
“Millions of people swarming like flies 'round
Waterloo underground
But Terry and Julie cross over the river
Where they feel safe and sound
And they don't need no friends
As long as they gaze on
Waterloo Sunset
They are in paradise”
Electric Avenue- Eddy Grant
Well, this has to be the most recognized song, right? Classic 80s new wave vibes. I hadn’t realized it was about London until recently. This is not the most flattering selection reflecting on London as the song was inspired by the 1981 riots in Brixton neighborhood. No great glorification out of me of the message behind this one but musically speaking, it’s a real groover!
London Belongs to Me by Saint Etienne
A whispery pop song from 1991 that fits in well in the 2020s. Airy vibes here. Imagine listening to it under a willow tree in Epping forest.
Beginning lyrics:
“Took a tube to Camden Town/Walked down Parkway and settled down In the shade of a willow tree/ Someone hovering over me/ Close my eyes, breathe out slowly/ Today the sunshine (sunshine) loves me only/ To the sound of the World of Twist/ You leant over and gave me a kiss It's too warm to even hold hands/ But that won't stop us from making plans/Close our eyes, breathe out slowly/Today London (London) loves us only”
Streets of London- Ralph McTell
Maybe the most poignant selction (makes you have a “think”, as Brits would say) on this list See this video interpretation by Wildfire media. Did you know this song was going to called “Streets of Paris? Tasty light acoustic guitar work on this one.
London- Queensryche
One of the many haunting songs from the non UK, rather US based band, Queensryche, from the Rage For Order album (1986). Here, we have a memory trigger song for one recalling an old love. It’s said to be inspired by Anne Rice novels and often referenced as a reminder about scary times in London with Jack the Ripper haunting the streets there.
A passage from the song:
“You're just a memory now
Like all the ones before
But with your pain I've had to suffer
Your eyes alight with flame
As the picture burns
I hear the screams from long ago
They cry remember, blood-red streaks on
velvet throats at night
The streetlights fanned our trail of fame
through
London London
The memories will never leave”
Also check out:
Hannah Ricketts- one of my fave vloggers who does bits on London. Modern day takes on city culture and lifestyle. Many discussions on eats, fashion, shopping in the city, city and cultural affairs.
Travel tips on London
from recommendations on marinarena.com:
Samantha Brown’s London advice
BOOK YOUR LONDON TRIP HERE
Click my link to BOOK and discover London. Save up to 50% on city attractions via Go City- my main go to for tourist savings. (Help a Substack girl out. Portions will benefit marinarena.com ;-)
I like the different sides you paint in the two poems. They compliment each other :)
So nice!