Number 41 (part two)

The Number 41 is coming along nicely ...

It just needs to be taken to the bridge. Years ago I did a songwriting class with Ray Davies (The Kinks) and he emphasised the importance of the bridge. Now it isn't always necessary but this song would benefit from one I think ...

I have verses about the passengers on the tram. And there's has been an incident of some sort that involved and linked all of them, although exactly what is not clear. I am adding symbols to increase the sense of mystery, and to emphasise the daily life of being on a tram or bus. So far I have an orange and an alcoholic.

Number 41

I missed a rehearsal with Andy Gordon on Thursday due to a last-minute change of plan, but luckily I managed to use the time to write the ghosty song about subterranean London I had been promising to make for some weeks. I haven't finished it but the main verse and chorus and hook are established, as are the narrative voice and set up. It's very atmospheric and should work very well for us. Here's the first verse and chorus:

Number 41

Peer through the railings
At a strip of cobbles
Leading into the dark
Of a square mouthed tunnel

Can you see, can you hear
Can you feel it come?

Electrified along the track
The number 41

There is, of course, no such vehicle as the number 41, this number popped into my head from the internal incubator where songs are bred. The story is inspired by the old tram underpass at Holborn. The tunnel entrance still exists but the tram system was disbanded in the 1950s. Apparently the last train left Kingsway tunnel on 5 July 1952.

Here's the link which tells about the Kingsway tram underpass: http://underground-history.co.uk/kwupass.php