Baltimore

Album: Little Criminals (1977)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • According to David Ewen in the 1987 book American Songwriters, "With its deprecating remarks about the city" this song "generated controversy."

    Newman grew up in Los Angeles and Louisiana so it is quite likely that his "Baltimore" is not to be taken too literally; Nina Simone recorded a reggae version which is probably more palatable to the citizen's of this East Coast port. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England
  • Randy Newman wrote the song without ever going to Baltimore. He explained to The Guardian: "I had been through it in a train and I saw this story about it in National Geographic."
  • Newman is quite harsh about Baltimore.

    The city's dyin' and they don't know why

    He admitted: "I didn't feel good about that. [Laughs] I think people in Baltimore who objected to that song had a real good case because I didn't know anything about it."

Comments: 4

  • Itzgorg23 from OklahomaWow, love all the different meanings of this song.
  • Jennifur Sun from RamonaFred there is also the old Country tune, I know Buck Owens did a version of this: Streets Of Baltimore.
  • Fred from Laurel, MdAwesome list, Dee!
    Now, OK, I know it's not actually ABOUT Baltimore, but it *does* mention the city -- "Engine Number Nine" by Roger Miller
    -- "I know she got off in Baltimore."
  • Deethewriter from Saint Petersburg, Russia FederationMore Songs About Baltimore, Maryland:

    Raining In Baltimore by Counting Crows
    Streets of Baltimore by Graham Parsons
    Baltimore To Washington by Woody Guthrie
    Baltimore by Lyle Lovett
    Baltimore by Nina Simone
    What's New In Baltimore by Frank Zappa
    The Baltimore Sun by The Jayhawks
    Baltimore by The Drifters
    Oh Baltimore by Mullyman
    Baltimore by Lee Ritenour
    Baltimore by Roy Buchanan
    Baltimore's Fireflies by Woodkid
    Dear Baltimore by Carter's Chord
    Baltimore Eviction by Roy Wood Jr.
    Baltimore by Robbie & Sly
    From Baltimore To Paris by Go West
    Back In Baltimore by Danny Bryant
    Baltimore Oriole by Bob Dorough
    Doing Time in Baltimore by Caleb Stine
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Ian Astbury of The Cult

Ian Astbury of The CultSongwriter Interviews

The Cult frontman tells who the "Fire Woman" is, and talks about performing with the new version of The Doors.

Stan Ridgway

Stan RidgwaySongwriter Interviews

Go beyond the Wall of Voodoo with this cinematic songwriter.

David Sancious

David SanciousSongwriter Interviews

Keyboard great David Sancious talks about his work with Sting, Seal, Springsteen, Clapton and Aretha, and explains what quantum physics has to do with making music.

Jethro Tull

Jethro TullFact or Fiction

Stage urinals, flute devices, and the real Aqualung in this Fact or Fiction.

Peter Lord

Peter LordSongwriter Interviews

You may not recognize his name, but you will certainly recognize Peter Lord's songs. He wrote the bevy of hits from Paula Abdul's second album, Spellbound.

Who Did It First?

Who Did It First?Music Quiz

Do you know who recorded the original versions of these ten hit songs?