"Baker Street" is a ballad written and first recorded by Scottish singer-songwriter Gerry Rafferty. Released as a single in 1978, it reached No. 1 in Canada, No. 2 in the United States, No. 3 in the United Kingdom, No. 1 in Australia and No. 9 in the Netherlands. The arrangement is famous for its saxophone riff, played by Raphael Ravenscroft. In October 2010 the song was recognised by BMI for surpassing 5 million performances worldwide.