Take the "A" Train
Chaka Khan/Chick Corea/Freddie Hubbard/Joe Henderson/Lenny White/Stanley Clarke Lyrics
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Take the A-train
To find the quickest way to get to Harlem
If you should take the A-train
You'll find you get right where you goin'
If you hurry
Night's coming
Can't you hear the rails a-humming
If you should take the A-train
You'll find to get away
With a hurry
If you should take the A-train
You'll find you get right where you goin'
If you hurry
Hurry, hurry, hurry
Night's coming
Can't you hear the rails a-humming
The lyrics to Chaka Khan's song "Take the A-Train" were originally written by Billy Strayhorn, a composer and pianist for Duke Ellington. The A-train referred to in the song is the subway line that runs from Brooklyn to Harlem in New York City. The lyrics urge the listener to hurry and take the A-train to quickly get to Harlem, which is a historically significant neighborhood in New York City that has been the hub of African American culture and music for generations.
The urgency and excitement of the lyrics are conveyed through the repetition of the phrase "hurry, hurry, hurry" and the mention of the approaching night and the humming rails of the train. The song is meant to evoke the energy and vibrancy of Harlem, and the A-train serves as a symbol of the transportation and connection that helped create that energy and vibrancy.
Overall, the lyrics to "Take the A-Train" serve as a homage to the cultural significance of Harlem and the role that transportation played in creating and connecting that culture. The song is a celebration of the journey and the destination, and the excitement and urgency that come with both.
Line by Line Meaning
Hurry, hurry, hurry
Move quickly and with urgency
Take the A-train
Board the train designated by the letter A
To find the quickest way to get to Harlem
Travel to the neighborhood of Harlem in the most expedient manner
If you should take the A-train
If you were to board the train designated by the letter A
You'll find you get right where you goin'
You will arrive at your intended destination without delay
If you hurry
Provided that you move with speed and dispatch on your journey
Night's coming
Evening is approaching
Can't you hear the rails a-humming
Do you not hear the continuous sound of the train tracks vibrating?
You'll find to get away
You will discover an efficient method of transportation
With a hurry
If you proceed with a sense of urgency and haste
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Reservoir One Music
Written by: BILLY STRAYHORN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind