Duke Ellington and his Orchestra is perhaps the greatest of all Jazz bands.… Read Full Bio ↴Duke Ellington and his Orchestra is perhaps the greatest of all Jazz bands. The group stayed together for over fifty years and recorded and wrote some of America's greatest music. The band started in New York City under name of the Washingtonians in 1923, they then briefly became known as Duke Ellington and his Kentucky Club Orchestra, then as Duke Ellington and his Cotton Club Orchestra from 1927 to 1930. It was through weekly radio broadcasts from the Cotton Club that the orchestra gained nationwide exposure and became famous. After 1931 the band was billed as Duke Ellington and his Orchestra.

Take The A Train
Duke Ellington & His Orchestra Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You must take the 'A' train
To go Sugar Hill 'way up in Harlem
If you miss the 'A' train
You'll find you've missed the quickest way to Harlem

Hurry, get on now it's coming
Listen to those rails a thrumming
All 'board get on the 'A' train

Soon you will be on Sugar Hill in Harlem

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Take The A Train by Duke Ellington & His Orchestra are about taking the A subway train to get to Sugar Hill in Harlem. The song encourages the listener to hurry and catch the train because it is the quickest way to Harlem. The song was written in 1939 by Billy Strayhorn, Duke Ellington's collaborator and arranger. The song helped establish Duke Ellington and his orchestra as one of the premier jazz bands in America during the 1940s.

The song has a lively rhythm that mimics the sound of a train, with a steady beat and a repeating melody. The lyrics describe the excitement of hearing the train coming and the rush of getting on board. The song also speaks to the importance of the A train as a symbol of Harlem, a place where African American culture flourished during the early part of the 20th century.

In conclusion, Take The A Train by Duke Ellington & His Orchestra is a song that celebrates the energy and vibrancy of Harlem in the 1930s. With its catchy melody and upbeat lyrics, the song has become a classic of jazz music and has helped to establish Duke Ellington and his orchestra as icons of American music.

Line by Line Meaning

You must take the "A" train
It is necessary to board the train named "A"

To go to Sugar Hill way up in Harlem
The ultimate destination is a place called Sugar Hill located in Harlem

If you miss the "A" train
Inability to board the train named "A"

You`ll find you missed the quickest way to Harlem
Degradation of the opportunity to use the quickest mode of transportation to Harlem

Hurry, get on, now it`s coming
A sense of urgency in boarding the train about to arrive

Listen to those rails a-thrumming
The sound of train tracks vibrating, indicating the arrival of the train

All aboard, get on the "A" train
Board the train named "A"

Soon you will be on Sugar Hill in Harlem
The journey on the train will ultimately lead to Sugar Hill located in Harlem

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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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