Originally written and released in 1973 by Garland Jeffries
, Wild In the Streets was obviously inspired by and about New York City. The band included Dr. John and his band, with Alan Freedman, Michael Brecker, David Sanborn, David Spinozza, David Peel, and was produced by Roy Cicala. Check out the gorgeous vintage footage of the city in this clip...it's a great song as well.In the heat of the summer
Better call up the plumber
And turn on the street pump
To cool me off
With your newspaper writers
And your big crime fighters
You still need a drugstore
To cure my cough
Running wild in the streets
We got a gang called Shady
And a midnight lady
And two transvestites
To beat the band
You better not touch us
You best believe us
Your teenage Johnny's
Gonna be a man
Runnin' wild in the streets
Mrs. America
Tell me how is your favorite son
Do you really care
What he has done
Runnin' wild in the streets
Thanks to Dangerous Minds and the Wooster Collective for making me aware of this video.
Garland Jeffreys' music has always been top-notch and Wild in the Streets (fan site for Garland is at http://www.wildinthestreets.info) is just one of many of his classic songs. Check out his other videos at http://www.youtube.com/gjeffreysadmin. Thanks for posting!
ReplyDeleteAlways preferred Chris Spedding's version, more stripped down and less chipper. But a great song, no doubt about it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for checking us out guys. Let's not forget the Circle Jerks version!
ReplyDeleteUgh, don't get me started on the Circle Jerks version - they destroyed the melody and subtlety of Garland Jeffreys' classic.
ReplyDeleteTheir genre wasn't exactly known for it's subtlety.
ReplyDeletePhenomenal video!!
ReplyDeleteBeen looking for a mp3 of WITS for awhile. Saw GJ many times, a hundred years ago (bottom line, jersey, etc.)
ReplyDelete