The Uptown
Cannonball Adderley and His Orchestra Lyrics
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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?
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.
The Uptown by Cannonball Adderley and His Orchestra is a jazz tune that revolves around the conversation between two men, Joe and Roy. The conversation starts when Joe asks Roy whether he has been uptown. Roy replies with a “No,” and Joe asks him to come along and get groovy. When Roy asks what uptown is, Joe explains that uptown is the place for pleasure, party, and music. The lyrics of the song describe the places for hangouts like rib joints, juke joints, or hep joints where people get together to party and have fun. The song has a mix of excitement and rhythm, and it encourages people to let loose and enjoy themselves, particularly to the uptown rhythm.
The conversation depicted in this song takes place between two African American men in New York City. During the mid-twentieth century, Harlem was the hub of the African American community in New York City. The uptown mentioned in the song refers to the area around Harlem where African Americans gathered for entertainment, music, and cultural events. This song reflects the thriving culture of the African American community, particularly in Harlem, during the 1950s and 1960s. It celebrates the vibrant and rich culture that existed in that era, and the rhythm serves as a call to action for people to enjoy life to the fullest.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey Joe
The singer greets someone by their name.
What d'ya mean Joe, My name's Roy
The other person had the wrong name and the singer corrects them.
Well come here Roy and get groovy
The singer invites Roy to come closer and have a good time.
You bin uptown?
The artist asks Roy if he has been to uptown.
No I ain't bin uptown but I've bin around
Roy hasn't been uptown but he's been to other places.
You mean to say you ain't bin uptown?
The singer is surprised that Roy hasn't been uptown.
No I ain't bin uptown, what's uptown?
Roy doesn't know what uptown is.
If it's pleasure you're about
If you're looking for fun.
And you feel like steppin' out
And you want to go out.
All you've got to shout is
All you have to do is ask.
Let me off uptown
Take me to uptown.
If it's rhythm that you feel
If you're in the mood for music.
Then it's nothing to conceal
Then you should show it.
Oh, you've got to spiel it
You have to express it.
Let me off uptown
Take me to uptown.
Rib joints, juke joints, hep joints
Places to eat, listen to music, and have a good time.
Where could a fella go to top it
Where else could someone go to have a better time.
If you want to pitch a ball
If you want to play ball.
And you can't afford a hall
And you can't pay for a venue.
All you've got to call is
All you have to do is ask for.
Let me off uptown
Take me to uptown.
Anita, oh Anita, say I feel somethin'
The artist addresses Anita and mentions feeling something.
Whatcha feel Roy? The heat?
Anita asks Roy if he feels the heat.
No it must be that uptown rhythm
Roy thinks he feels the uptown rhythm instead of the heat.
I feel like blowin'
The singer feels like playing music.
Well blow Roy, blow.
Anita tells Roy to play his instrument.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: EARL BOSTIC, REDD EVANS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind