The Man In The Tweed Jacket

Songtext

[Intro – Spoken over pounding drums] Every night, when the city lights glow… He walks through the door. Nobody knows his name. Nobody knows where he’s from. But everybody knows… the man in the tweed jacket. [Verse 1] Down in Soho when the clock strikes ten, He walks through the doorway again. Tweed jacket, collar turned high, Old leather shoes and a watch that’s dry. The barman says, “What’ll it be?” He just shakes his head and takes his seat. No whisky, no wine, no gin, no beer, Just a silent man who appears each year. [Pre-Chorus] And the band keeps playing, The dancers spin, But he sits in the corner With that faraway grin. [Chorus] Who is the man in the tweed jacket? Standing in the doorway, where the shadows fall. He never buys a drink, no, he never has a one, Just sits and stares while the night goes on. Who is the man in the tweed jacket? London whispers but nobody knows. From the old pub doors to the midnight clubs, He watches the world… But he never joins in! [Verse 2] At a Mayfair club with a velvet rope, He walks straight in like a man with a hope. Champagne bubbles, diamonds shine, He takes a chair by the old brass sign. The waiter asks, “Sir, may I take your order?” He looks through the window towards the city border. No answer comes, just a knowing stare, Like he’s waiting for somebody who isn’t there. [Pre-Chorus] And the records are spinning, The dance floor’s alive, But he’s watching the people As they laugh and arrive. [Chorus] Who is the man in the tweed jacket? Standing in the doorway, where the shadows fall. He never buys a drink, no, he never has a one, Just sits and stares while the night goes on. Who is the man in the tweed jacket? London whispers but nobody knows. From the old pub doors to the midnight clubs, He watches the world… But he never joins in! [Instrumental Break – Northern Soul dance section] Ba-da-ba! Ba-da-ba! Doom-doom! Clap! Clap! Ba-da-ba! Ba-da-ba! KEEP ON DANCING! [Verse 3] They say he knew London when the bombs came down, They say he danced when the King came to town. Some say he lost someone long ago, Some say he’s waiting for a train below. But nobody’s ever heard him speak, Nobody’s ever seen him smile. He comes every Friday, same old seat, And watches London for a little while. [Bridge – Strings rising] Maybe he’s a ghost from another time, Maybe he’s a stranger with a reason to hide. Maybe he’s waiting for the girl he knew, Maybe the girl is waiting too… [Spoken] “Excuse me, mate… You been sitting there all night.” Pause. “Would you like a drink?” Silence. “He just stared at me…” [Build] Tweed jacket! Old shoes! London nights! Nobody knows! Tweed jacket! Same old stare! Every club! He’s always there! [Final Chorus – Full Northern Soul] WHO IS THE MAN IN THE TWEED JACKET? Standing in the doorway, where the shadows fall! He never buys a drink, no, he never has a one, Just sits and stares while the night goes on! WHO IS THE MAN IN THE TWEED JACKET? Everybody’s talking but nobody knows! From the old pub doors to the midnight clubs, He watches the world… BUT HE NEVER JOINS IN! [Outro] And when the morning comes to London town, The lights go up and the sun comes down… But somewhere tonight, when the clock strikes ten… He’ll walk through that door again. Tweed jacket… Same old stare… Who is that man?