Yvette Marie Stevens (born March 23, 1953), better known as Chaka Khan, and… Read Full Bio ↴Yvette Marie Stevens (born March 23, 1953), better known as Chaka Khan, and frequently referred to as the "Queen of Funk", is a 10-time Grammy Award winning American singer-songwriter from Chicago, Illinois who gained fame in the 1970s as the frontwoman and focal point of the funk band Rufus.

In 1964, at the age of 11, Khan formed her first musical group, the Crystalettes. While still in high school, she joined the Afro-Arts Theater, a group which toured with Motown great Mary Wells; a few years later, she adopted the African name Chaka Khan while working on the Black Panthers' breakfast program. After quitting high school in 1969, Khan joined the group Lyfe, soon exiting to join another dance band, the Babysitters — neither was on the fast track to success, but her fortunes changed when she teamed with ex-American Breed member Kevin Murphy and Andre Fisher to form Rufus.

Debuting in 1973 with a self-titled effort on the ABC label, Rufus was among the preeminent funk groups of the decade. Distinguished by Khan's dynamic vocals, the group earned half a dozen gold or platinum albums.

While still a member of the group in 1978, Khan embarked on a successful solo career. Her signature hits, both with Rufus and solo, include "Tell Me Something Good", "Sweet Thing", "Ain't Nobody", "I'm Every Woman", "I Feel for You" and "Through the Fire".

Take The 'A' Train
Chaka Khan Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hurry, hurry, hurry
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

Hurry, hurry, 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

Overall Meaning

The song “Take the A-Train” by Duke Ellington is a jazz classic, and Chaka Khan’s cover of it remains a beloved version of the song. The lyrics describe the urgency and excitement of hopping on the A-train in order to get to Harlem quickly. The repetition of “hurry” throughout the song emphasizes the time-sensitive nature of the journey.

The first stanza sets the intention of the trip, urging the listener to take the A-train as the quickest way to get to Harlem. The second and third stanzas repeat the idea that the A-train will swiftly bring you to your destination if you hurry. The final stanza emphasizes the notion that night is coming, and the rapid rumbling of the train tracks adds to the sense of urgency.

However, the lyrics on their own don’t fully capture the essence of the song. The true magic of “Take the A-Train” lies in its arrangement and the unique musical flair that Duke Ellington brought to it. The jaunty rhythm and lively melody of the song perfectly capture the energy of the bustling city and the excitement of being on the move.

Line by Line Meaning

Hurry, hurry, hurry
Quickly, quickly, quickly

Take the A-train
Board the subway train with the letter A as its name

To find the quickest way to get to Harlem
To discover the fastest route to reach a neighborhood in New York City known as Harlem

If you should take the A-train
If you happen to ride the A-train

You'll find you get right where you goin'
You will arrive exactly where you intend to go

If you hurry
But only if you move quickly

Night's coming
The evening is approaching

Can't you hear the rails a-humming
Can't you hear the sound of the train tracks vibrating?

You'll find to get away
You will discover a way to escape

With a hurry
However, you must act quickly

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Billy Strayhorn

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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