Let Me off Uptown
Anita O'Day Lyrics


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Hey Joe
What d'ya mean Joe, My name's Roy
Well come here Roy and get groovy
You bin uptown?
No I ain't bin uptown but I've bin around
You mean to say you ain't bin uptown?
No I ain't bin uptown, what's uptown?
If it's pleasure you're about
And you feel like steppin' out
All you've got to shout is
Let me off uptown

If it's rhythm that you feel
Then it's nothing to conceal
Oh, you've got to spiel it
Let me off uptown

Rib joints, juke joints, hep joints
Where could a fella go to top it

If you want to pitch a ball
And you can't afford a hall
All you've got to call is
Let me off uptown

Anita, oh Anita, say I feel somethin'
Whatcha feel Roy? The heat?
No it must be that uptown rhythm




I feel like blowin'
Well blow Roy, blow.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Let Me off Uptown" by Anita O'Day are a playful conversation between two people, Joe and Roy. Roy mistakes Joe's identity and is corrected, but the real point of the exchange is to ask if Roy has been uptown. Joe seems incredulous that Roy hasn't been uptown, where all the fun and excitement is. He encourages Roy to let loose and get groovy by going uptown. The song then moves to describe the different kinds of joints uptown where one can find pleasure, rhythm, and good times. If someone wants to pitch a ball and can't afford a hall, they only need to call to be let off uptown. Anita O'Day chimes in towards the end, saying she feels something, likely referring to the music and rhythm of uptown, and Roy responds that he feels like blowing his horn.


Overall, the lyrics are a lighthearted expression of the joy and excitement found in uptown, with encouragement for everyone to let themselves go and enjoy the music, food, and fun.


Line by Line Meaning

Hey Joe
Anita is calling out to her friend Joe to start a conversation.


What d'ya mean Joe, My name's Roy
Anita is correcting Joe's mistake by telling him her name is Roy.


Well come here Roy and get groovy
Joe invites Roy and tells him to have fun.


You bin uptown?
Joe inquires if Roy has traveled to the city center of the town.


No I ain't bin uptown but I've bin around
Roy answered Joe's question, indicating that he has traveled to several other places.


You mean to say you ain't bin uptown?
Joe seems surprised that Roy has not visited the city center and confirms that he has never been there before.


No I ain't bin uptown, what's uptown?
Roy asks Joe the meaning of uptown since he isn't familiar with the term.


If it's pleasure you're about And you feel like steppin' out All you've got to shout is Let me off uptown
Anita suggests that if Joe is looking for excitement and wants to go out, he should go to uptown for a good time.


If it's rhythm that you feel Then it's nothing to conceal Oh, you've got to spiel it Let me off uptown
Anita continues to say that if Joe wants to listen to good music and dance all night, then he shouldn't hold back and head uptown.


Rib joints, juke joints, hep joints Where could a fella go to top it
Anita lists some places in uptown where people go to have a great time, and she wonders if there are any other places that could beat those ones.


If you want to pitch a ball And you can't afford a hall All you've got to call is Let me off uptown
Anita suggests that if Joe wants to play sports and doesn't have a place, he can call her and go to uptown to continue playing.


Anita, oh Anita, say I feel somethin' Whatcha feel Roy? The heat? No it must be that uptown rhythm I feel like blowin' Well blow Roy, blow.
Roy seems to be feeling the music and suggests playing some music. Anita asks Roy if he's feeling the heat, and Roy replies that he's feeling the uptown vibe, which makes him feel like playing the music. Anita tells him to start playing the music.




Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
Written by: EARL BOSTIC, REDD EVANS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@ep672

She has more class and talent then the so called pop singers these days

@jeffpagan7735

Wasn't she a morphine addict? In fact she was called the Jezebel of jazz.

@carmenbautista3353

💯 agree

@realthemonke4574

Facts.

@lemuret69

@@jeffpagan7735 Nope. Just got hauled in for pot possession, like so many others.

@griff7020

Agreed 😌

6 More Replies...

@ronniebishop2496

Anita is a class act and I’ve always loved that Gene Krupa crazy style. Wow. Roy blow our blues away.

@alexandradecastro5142

I love Gene and his amazing energy ❤️
May music live forever ❤️

@vortexnyc2891

I've never seen so many people doing what they LOVE to do!!! Anita, Gene, Roy and the whole crew were superb

@weirdgamingmoon8324

Jeepers crow exactly my thoughts. That chick had STYLE

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