Comments on: Friday Five: Baltimore

By: Susan K

Susan K — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 18:35:17 +0000

It may have already been mentioned, but Carter’s Chord sang a cute song about Baltimore.

By: Ken Johnson

Ken Johnson — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 19:18:40 +0000

Next to Bobby Bare’s hit my second favorite version of “Streets Of Baltimore” is by Charley Pride from his live album recorded in 1968 at Panther Hall in Texas.

As mentioned previously Sonny James 1964 top ten hit “Baltimore” is excellent. Love the early 60′s folk vibe. One of Sonny’s “forgotten” early hits.

Johnny Cash’s 1974 version of “The Lady Came From Baltimore” deserves a mention too.

By: Paul W Dennis

Paul W Dennis — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 00:33:30 +0000

Of course there is always “Barefoot In Baltimore” by the Strawberry Alarm Clock back in 1968. It wasn’t a big hit nationally but was quite popular in the Baltimore area

… Baltimore is music
Dancing in the street
Half-chewed Dubble Bubble
Tugging at our feet

Melted tar in crosswalks
Crab shells in the park
Pavement frying our poor toes
Until long after dark …

By: Timeo

Timeo — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 18:52:37 +0000

Living somewhat near Baltimore, I’ve long made note of songs about the city. On the country side, Sonny James had a very up song about Baltimore. Like almost everything else you can hear it on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fAz-RNhEuQ) Nitty Gritty Dirt Band also has a song with the same title on its album, “All the Good Times.” Forgotten country rockers Five Chinese Brothers did a great song about misplaced childhood nostalgia called (you guessed it) “Baltimore.” And, not-so-forgotten country-rocker Peter Case has yet another song titled “Baltimore” on his album “Torn Again.” That one is definitely the most greusome of the bunch. “Baltimore Fire” was covered by the McGarrigles and Emmylou Harris on “The McGarrigle Hour.” Not exactly country, Counting Crows did “Raining in Baltimore. And way away from country, the musical Hairspray has a song called “Good Morning Baltimore.”

By: Stormy

Stormy — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 18:20:18 +0000

The Duhks did a remarkably old timey Dance Hall Girls.

“Is this the way it always is in Baltimore?”

By: Dan Milliken

Dan Milliken — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 17:37:45 +0000

Wonderful as always. Heroin for everyone!

Someone needs to do a country/bluegrass cover of “Good Morning Baltimore.”

By: Bob

Bob — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 15:53:38 +0000

Can’t add to the Baltimore list but Mary Chapin Carpenter wrote and sang “Down in Mary’s Land”. The second verse begins:

East of Virginia where the bay meets a river
Down in Mary’s land

By: nm

nm — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 15:44:21 +0000

If you look very, very closely, you can see the back of my head for a second in that”Baltimore Johnny” video.

By: Juli

Juli — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 15:35:37 +0000

I do like the Little Willies’ version of “Streets of Baltimore.”

I wish they’d come out with another record.

By: Barry Mazor

Barry Mazor — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 15:29:57 +0000

There are a couple of B’more songs by guys that aren’t exactly country, but have HEARD of it : “Baltimore’ by Randy Newman,m which had the Eagles on it, and “Baltimore Oriole” by Hoagy Carmichael..

And there’s always the theme from “Homicide.” Now that’s country.