| "Sub-Rosa Subway" | |
|---|---|
| Single by Klaatu | |
| from the album 3:47 EST | |
| Released | 1976 |
| Recorded | January 26, 1973 |
| Genre | Progressive Rock |
| Length | 4:37 |
| Label | Daffodil, Capitol |
| Writer(s) | John Woloschuk, Dino Tome |
| Producer | Terry Brown |
Sub-Rosa Subway is a song written by the Canadian progressive rock band Klaatu, from their album 3:47 EST, describing the efforts of Alfred Ely Beach to create the original New York Subway. His work is described as secretive (hence sub rosa). The song made it to #62 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1976 as the B-side to Calling Occupants.
The song is best known for sparking the rumour that the band was The Beatles in disguise. The vocals and instrumentals are in a Beatlesque style with chord progressions similar to the Beatles' "Blackbird" and "It's All Too Much", as an homage to the band.
Two minutes and fifty seconds into the song, a long message in Morse code plays in the background. John Woloschuk, in an article in the fan magazine The Morning Sun, finally provided a translation of the code:
"From Alfred, heed thy sharpened ear — A message we do bring — Starship appears upon our sphere — Through London's sky come spring."