Streets Of London

Don McLean's 'Streets Of London' is a poignant exploration of urban loneliness and societal neglect. The song paints vivid portraits of marginalized individuals in London, each struggling with their own forms of despair and isolation. The old man in the closed-down market, the old girl walking the streets with her belongings in carrier bags, and the solitary figure in the all-night café are all emblematic of the forgotten souls who inhabit the city's underbelly. These characters are depicted with a stark realism that evokes empathy and reflection from the listener.

The recurring refrain, 'So how can you tell me you're lonely, and say for you that the sun don't shine,' serves as a powerful reminder of the relative nature of suffering. McLean invites the listener to reconsider their own feelings of loneliness and despair by juxtaposing them with the more severe hardships faced by the individuals he describes. This contrast is not meant to diminish personal struggles but to foster a sense of perspective and compassion.

The song also touches on themes of memory and the passage of time, particularly in the verse about the old man outside the seaman's mission. His fading memory and the medal ribbons he wears symbolize a forgotten past and a society that has moved on, leaving its heroes behind. The imagery of the 'winter city' and the 'rain crying a little pity' further accentuates the cold, indifferent world that these individuals navigate daily. Through 'Streets Of London,' McLean not only highlights the plight of the marginalized but also calls for a more compassionate and aware society.