Brendan O'Connor Ralph McTell - “I joined the army at 15. Growing up without my dad was hard.”
Jan 17, 2026
Ralph McTell, the award-winning British folk singer-songwriter famous for 'Streets of London', shares a cauldron of heartfelt stories. He opens up about growing up with a single mother and the impact of his father's WWII legacy. Joining the army at just 15, Ralph reflects on the balance between duty and dreams. He traces his musical journey from Elvis to Bob Dylan, exploring their profound influences. With a mixture of gratitude and complexity, he discusses his biggest hit and the emotional weight it carries while looking forward to touring at 81.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Father's Wartime Legacy
- Ralph McTell recounts his father serving in the Eighth Army and likely suffering from post-traumatic stress after WWII.
- He keeps his father's dog tags and a stolen map of Rommel as family relics that shaped his view of him.
Mother's Love Of Poetry
- Ralph describes being raised by a hardworking single mother who prized poetry and read to them at bedtime.
- Her 'posh voice for poetry' and reverence for verse left a lasting influence on him.
Postwar Hardship And Small Comforts
- Ralph recalls post-war poverty: rent about £2 a week and his mum's wages £5 a week, with simple meals most days.
- National health measures like cod liver oil and orange juice helped sustain a generation of children.