Up Town Top Rankin
Althea & Donna Lyrics


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See me in me heels and ting
Dem check sey we hip and ting
True them no know and ting
We have them going and ting
Nah pop no style, a strictly roots
Nah pop no style, a strictly roots

See me pon the road I hear you call out to me
True you see mi inna pants and ting
See mi in a 'alter back
Sey mi gi' you heart attack
Gimme likkle bass, make me wine up me waist
Uptown Top Ranking

See mi in mi Benz and ting
Drivin' through Constant Spring
Them check sey me come from cosmo spring
But a true dem no know and ting
Dem no know sey we top ranking
Uptown Top Ranking

Shoulda see me and the ranking dread
Check how we jamming and ting
Love is all I bring inna me khaki suit and ting
Nah pop no style, a strictly roots
Nah pop no style, a strictly roots

Watch how we chuck it and ting
Inna we khaki suit and ting
Love is all I bring inna me khaki suit and ting
Nah pop no style, a strictly roots
Nah pop no style, a strictly roots

Love inna you heart dis a bawl out fe me
When you see me inna pants and ting
See me inna 'alter back
Sey me gi' you heart attack
Gimme likkle bass, make me wine up me waist
Uptown Top Ranking

See mi pon the road and hear you call out to me
True you see me in me pants and ting
See me inna 'alter back
Sey me gi' you heart attack
Gimme likkle bass, make me wine up me waist
Gimme likkle bass, make me wine up me waist
Love is all I bring inna me khaki suit and ting
Nah pop no style, a strictly roots
Nah pop no style, a strictly roots

You shoulda see me and the ranking dread,
Check how we jamming and ting




Love is all I bring inna me khaki suit and ting
Nah pop no style, a strictly roots

Overall Meaning

This song is an anthem celebrating the uniqueness and individuality of Althea and Donna, two women from uptown who are not afraid to mix their urban style with their deep Jamaican roots. The lyrics describe their confidence and self-assuredness, as they flaunt their "heels and ting" and "pants and ting" with equal poise. Despite the assumptions of those around them, who may think they come from "cosmo spring", Althea and Donna know who they are and where they come from.


The chorus "Uptown Top Ranking" is repeated throughout the song, acting as a mantra or rallying cry for all those who identify with Althea and Donna's message. They are not interested in following trends or being popular, but rather in staying true to themselves and their roots. The use of Jamaican patois and slang adds to the authenticity of the song, and the reggae beat and bass line create a groove that is irresistible and danceable.


Overall, "Up Town Top Ranking" is a celebration of individuality, self-confidence, and the power of music to bring people together. Althea and Donna are unapologetically themselves, and their message has resonated with listeners for over 40 years, making this song a classic in the reggae canon.


Line by Line Meaning

See me in me heels and ting
When you see me wearing heels and fashionable clothing, you may think that we are trendy and posh.


Dem check sey we hip and ting
People who barely know us might assume that we are trendy and cool.


True them no know and ting
However, in reality, they don't know the real us and our roots.


We have them going and ting
We have them impressed or fooled by our appearance and behavior.


Nah pop no style, a strictly roots
We are not following any trend or fashion, but sticking to our cultural and personal roots.


See me pon the road I hear you call out to me
As I walk on the street, I can hear you calling out to me.


True you see mi inna pants and ting
Because you see me wearing pants and fashionable clothes.


See mi in a 'alter back
You can also see me in a halter top.


Sey mi gi' you heart attack
You might find me attractive or sexy.


Gimme likkle bass, make me wine up me waist
Play some reggae music, and I'll show you how to dance in my sexy and confident style.


Uptown Top Ranking
I may come from an upscale area, but I stick to my roots and follow my own style.


See mi in mi Benz and ting
When you see me driving in my Mercedes Benz and fashionable clothes.


Drivin' through Constant Spring
Driving through the Constant Spring neighborhood, which is located in a more affluent part of Kingston, Jamaica.


Them check sey me come from cosmo spring
People might assume that I come from an even more upscale area, but they don't really know me.


Dem no know sey we top ranking
In fact, I come from a humble background, but I excel in what I do and stay true to my roots.


Shoulda see me and the ranking dread
You should have seen me dancing together with my Rastafarian friend who is also good at dancing.


Check how we jamming and ting
See how we dance with confidence and rhythm, not just following any trend or style.


Love is all I bring inna me khaki suit and ting
When I dress up in my khaki suit and fashionable clothes, I express my love for my roots and my culture.


Watch how we chuck it and ting
Observe how we move our bodies with style and confidence, not just mindlessly following any fashion or trend.


Inna we khaki suit and ting
While we wear fashionable clothes, we still stick to our cultural identity and roots.


Love inna you heart dis a bawl out fe me
You feel love in your heart and you express it openly for me.


When you see me inna pants and ting
Because you see me wearing pants and fashionable clothes.


See me inna 'alter back
You can also see me in a halter top.


Gimme likkle bass, make me wine up me waist
Play some reggae music, and I'll show you how to dance in my sexy and confident style.


Gimme likkle bass, make me wine up me waist
Play some reggae music, and I'll show you how to dance in my sexy and confident style.


Love is all I bring inna me khaki suit and ting
When I dress up in my khaki suit and fashionable clothes, I express my love for my roots and my culture.


Nah pop no style, a strictly roots
We are not following any trend or fashion, but sticking to our cultural and personal roots.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ALTHEA FORREST, DONNA MARIE REID, Errol Thompson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@jayg6463

Thank you Skate 2. I’m forever grateful

@kevinkereopa1123

My aunt and uncle would play this song a lot when I was a kid, then skate 2 took me back to that time 🥲

@Carlisle_NinetyOh9

Likewise

@HammerJudenhass

Holy shit this was in Skate? I heard it in the movie Sid and Nancy.

@monstahz

This is memory's of my mum dragging me around the Caribbean markets in Catford South London and the guys on the stalls blasting out there reggae tunes

@hinodecho69

monstahz , I like to think I have some classic memories from my younger days, but THAT has to be some experience....

@mickvinny7291

YES! I remember them days too (I live in forest hill lol)

@speakertreatz

+monstahz i was around 6 or 7 visiting London as we did every year to my aunt and uncle, I remember this being everywhere. Must be something else to remember it like you do (y)

@thorndog100

+monstahz this is probably one of the first songs i ever remember apart from monster mash and baby love by diana ross...Top song ...will always love this one..peace

@ri-rim2133

Same I lived in Brockley but loved going to the markets with my dad as a treat on Saturday's we would stop an have bun & cheese

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