Take the "A" Train
Duke Ellington & His Orchestra; Ella Fitzgerald Lyrics
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To go to sugar hill way up in harlem
If you miss the "a" train
You'll find you missed the quickest way to harlem
Hurry, get on, now it's coming
Listen to those rails a-thrumming
All aboard, get on the "a" train
The lyrics to Duke Ellington's "Take the A Train" featuring Ella Fitzgerald is a direct reference to the New York subway's A train that went from Brooklyn to Harlem. The song encourages people to take the A train to get to Sugar Hill, which is a neighborhood in Harlem where many affluent African Americans lived during the time of the song's release in 1941. The lyrics urge listeners to not miss the "a" train because it is the quickest way to Sugar Hill. The song creates a sense of urgency and excitement, with lines like "Hurry, get on, now it's coming" and "Listen to those rails a-thrumming".
The song's lyrics go beyond just describing how to get to Sugar Hill; they also capture a sense of cultural pride and promotion of African American success. Sugar Hill was a place where successful African Americans could live and escape the discrimination of the rest of the city. By promoting Sugar Hill, the song is celebrating a community of successful African Americans.
Line by Line Meaning
You must take the "a" train
The only way to reach sugar hill in Harlem is by taking the "a" train
To go to sugar hill way up in harlem
The destination of the "a" train is sugar hill located in Harlem
If you miss the "a" train
Failing to catch the "a" train will result in missing the fastest way to reach Harlem
You'll find you missed the quickest way to harlem
Not boarding the "a" train would mean that the fastest route to Harlem has been missed
Hurry, get on, now it's coming
The train is about to arrive, therefore, quickly board it
Listen to those rails a-thrumming
The sound of the train tracks implies that the "a" train is arriving
All aboard, get on the "a" train
Board the "a" train to reach Harlem
Soon you will be on sugar hill in harlem
In no time, you will have arrived at the destination of the "a" train, sugar hill in Harlem
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Reservoir One Music
Written by: BILLY STRAYHORN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@philliplloyd6977
Her tone, pitch, phrasing, dexterity, rhythm, timing and improvisation will never ever be matched.
@uomodibassamorale
nicely said
cheers
@jasonevans4970
Even if it was... it wouldn't be.
@victordieleanora4339
Every other singer was a mere mortal...she is The Goddess...
@RooEfx
generous ♥
@donaldo357
Scat singing is when you forget the lyrics…..hey duh dubby wa 😂
@lauriewinestock
people don't realize that ella had the MOST IMPECCABLE sense of Rhythm - a virtual rhythm section in one voice - along with her amazing perfect pitch - UNMATCHED!! she the musicians musicians vocalist / musician!!
@boomerang905
Voice, diction, rhythm, style.....all perfectly placed. This singer was so blessed and she blessed us so much. I saw her at the Jazz Fest in the 80s...she wore an Electric Blue dress and though the lights bothered her glaucoma, she gave about 3 encores. Pure class, pure woman, pure lady. Hate to say it but artists today can only try. The likes of Ella stayed in the game and kept their audiences wanting more. RIP dear one.
@bolder2009
She could really ride the groove and SWING like she was married to the rhythm. This is magical!
@GenericUsername1388
Damn this is amazing. I wonder if she knwe people 90 years later would be loving her music. Thats like someone from 2110 liking something from now.