The Chambers Brothers first honed their skills as members of the choir in their Baptist church. This set up ended in 1952 when older brother George was drafted into the army. After his discharge George moved to Los Angeles. The other Chambers brothers soon settled there as well. As a foursome, they began performing gospel and folk throughout the Southern California region in 1954, but they more or less remained unknown until appearing in New York City in 1965.
In the early 1960s these four brothers from Mississippi: Joe and Willie on guitar, Lester, on harmonica, and George on washtub bass would start to venture outside the gospel circuit, playing at coffeehouses that also booked folk acts. They played at places like The Ash Grove which was one of Los Angeles's most popular folk clubs and it became a favorite haunt of theirs and brought them into contact with Hoyt Axton, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Reverend Gary Davis, and Barbara Dane. Dane became a great supporter, performing on stage with the brothers onstage and recording with them. She also took them on tour with her. It was she who got in touch with Pete Seeger and helped to arrange putting the Chambers Brothers on the bill of the 1965 Newport Folk Festival. One of their songs "I Got It" from their show appeared on Newport Folk Festival 1965 compilation LP that was issued on the Vanguard label.
They were becoming more accepted in the folk community but like many on the folk circuit they were looking to electrify their music and become more rock in roll. Guitarist Joe Chambers recalled some happenings at the Newport festival and mentioned in a May 1994 Goldmine article that people were jumping and breaking down fences and rushing to the stage. "Newport had never seen or heard anything like that." After the group finished and the crowd finally settled down, the MC came up and said "Whether you know it or not, that was rock'n'roll." That night they played at a post-concert party for festival performers and afterwards they went to a recording session of the newly electrified Bob Dylan. Now having gone electric George would trade in his washtub bass for a Danelectro bass guitar.
Shortly after this, the group recorded its debut album People Get Ready.
Uptown
Chambers Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm going uptown to Harlem
Gonna let my hair down in Harlem
If a taxi won't take me, I'll catch a train
I'll go underground, I'll get there just the same
Cus I'm going uptown to Harlem
125th street, now here I come, y'all
They're ready for me 'cus I'm coming for fun
I'm gonna eat me some-a-chicken, and some black-eyed peas
Somebody barbequed ribs and some collard greens
I'm gonna party for days in Harlem
Leave the downtown ways for Harlem
Cus I'm going uptown to Harlem
Gonna let my hair down in Harlem
If a taxi won't take me, I'll catch a train
I'll go underground, I'll get there just the same
I'm going make it to the Cave and the Shadow Park?
I'm to uptown faces and down to swat?
I'm gonna make it to the play, I'll stand red-goosed too?
I'll break jack the truce and wear a suit?
I'm going to have me a pole? in Harlem
And that ain't all in Harlem
I'm gonna eat some chitlin's and some black-eyed peas
Somebody barbequed ribs and some collard greens
I said I'm going uptown to Harlem
Gonna let my hair down in Harlem
I'm going uptown to Harlem
Gonna let my hair down in Harlem
I'm going uptown to Harlem
Gonna let my hair down in Harlem
I'm going uptown to Harlem
Gonna let my hair down in Harlem
I'm going uptown to Harlem
Gonna let my hair down in Harlem
I'm going uptown to Harlem
Gonna let my hair down in Harlem
I'm going uptown to Harlem
Gonna let my hair down in Harlem
I'm going uptown to Harlem
Gonna let my hair down in Harlem
I'm going uptown to Harlem
Gonna let my hair down in Harlem
(fade)
The Chambers Brothers' "Uptown" is a song about a person's excitement and anticipation of going uptown to Harlem. The song talks about the author's eagerness to go uptown to Harlem and enjoy the food and the nightlife. It is a celebration of black culture and the opportunity to break free from the downtown ways and embrace the uptown ways. The lyrics are an invitation to the listener to come along to Harlem and enjoy the music and the sights.
The author talks about how they are going to eat some chicken, black-eyed peas, and collard greens, and barbequed ribs. These are all foods that were popular in the African American community and still hold significance today. There is also a mention of the Cave and the Shadow Park, which were popular nightclubs in Harlem during the 1960s. These places were some of the most happening spots in the city, attracting a diverse crowd, including black and white patrons.
One of the most interesting things about the song is that it was released during the height of the civil rights movement. The song's message of freedom and celebration of black culture was empowering and inspiring at a time when many African Americans were fighting for their rights. Another interesting fact is that the Chambers Brothers were one of the first interracial rock bands, consisting of four brothers - Lester, Joe, Willie, and George, and a drummer named Brian Keenan. The song was released in 1967 and peaked at number 39 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah,
With enthusiasm, I am expressing the intention to travel uptown to Harlem
I'm going uptown to Harlem
Gonna let my hair down in Harlem
If a taxi won't take me, I'll catch a train
I'll go underground, I'll get there just the same
I plan to travel to Harlem and enjoy myself, even if transportation is difficult. I am willing to take public transit to get there.
125th street, now here I come, y'all
They're ready for me 'cus I'm coming for fun
I am excited to visit 125th street in Harlem and have a good time. The people there are prepared for my arrival because they know it will be a lively experience.
I'm gonna eat me some-a-chicken, and some black-eyed peas
Somebody barbequed ribs and some collard greens
While in Harlem, I plan to eat delicious food like chicken, black-eyed peas, ribs, and collard greens.
I'm gonna party for days in Harlem
Leave the downtown ways for Harlem
I plan to have an extended celebration in Harlem and let go of the more reserved behavior seen in downtown areas.
I'm going make it to the Cave and the Shadow Park?
I'm to uptown faces and down to swat?
I'm gonna make it to the play, I'll stand red-goosed too?
I'll break jack the truce and wear a suit?
The meaning of these lines is unclear and may intentionally be nonsensical or poetic.
I'm going to have me a pole? in Harlem
And that ain't all in Harlem
It is unclear what the singer means by having a pole, but it is one of many fun experiences the singer plans to have in Harlem.
I said I'm going uptown to Harlem
Gonna let my hair down in Harlem
I'm going uptown to Harlem
Gonna let my hair down in Harlem
The artist is restating their plans to travel to Harlem and have a good time.
(fade)
The music is fading out, indicating the end of the song.
Contributed by Aubrey K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@JDGlenn
Here to praise Betty Davis who wrote this song early in her ascension. Also dig the Chambers Brothers in ways beyond expression.
@Corperate3DAnimatedGuy
Criminally underrated band & album
@mrnobodyz
Written by the one and only Miss Mabry Herself!
@chipstern1
WORD. Some vibrations linger longer.
@dennisscott1610
yes!!!!!🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘
@megalon73
1st time I heard of this band was the "Summer of Soul" (...or when the revolution could not be televised). They kick ass on this song. I'm wanna find more there music.
@annecsabagh
Wasn't that documentary one of the best you've ever seen?! I just watched it the other day and loved it!
@megalon73
@@annecsabagh The Summer of Soul is a really great story about the People and music of Harlem.
@Heretic_Hero
Same
@LJG907
White folk like loved the Chambers Bros back in the 60's. Funniest thing but I was singing these words to myself today and I just had to find the song on YT. My older sister took the album when she moved away from home.
I took my parents to Mr. Leo's in the city with a friend back in the 90's. God bless the Chamber Brothers!!!