Let Me Ride
Harry O Lyrics
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What d'ya mean Joe, My name's Roy
Well come here Roy and get groovy
You bin uptown?
No I ain't bin uptown but I've bin around
You mean to say you ain't bin uptown?
No I ain't bin uptown, what's uptown?
And you feel like steppin' out
All you've got to shout is
Let me off uptown
If it's rhythm that you feel
Then it's nothing to conceal
Oh, you've got to spiel it
Let me off uptown
Rib joints, juke joints, hep joints
Where could a fella go to top it
If you want to pitch a ball
And you can't afford a hall
All you've got to call is
Let me off uptown
Anita, oh Anita, say I feel somethin'
Whatcha feel Roy? The heat?
No it must be that uptown rhythm
I feel like blowin'
Well blow Roy, blow.
The lyrics of Harry O's song Let Me Ride are a conversation between two people named Joe and Roy. Joe starts off by addressing Roy as "Joe" but then Roy corrects him, saying that his name is actually Roy. After this brief exchange, Joe asks Roy if he has been uptown. Roy responds by saying that he hasn't been uptown, but he has been all around. Joe seems surprised and asks Roy what he means by not having been uptown. Roy looks confused and asks Joe what uptown actually is.
The song then continues to describe different scenarios in which someone might want to "get off uptown." For instance, if someone is looking for pleasure and wants to go out and have a good time, they can shout "let me off uptown." The same thing applies if someone is looking for rhythm and wants to dance. The lyrics describe different types of places that someone might want to go to, such as rib joints, juke joints, and hep joints, and suggests that uptown is the place to find them.
The conversation between Joe and Roy continues, with Anita being added into the mix. She asks Roy what he is feeling, and he responds by saying that he feels something. Anita asks if it's the heat, but Roy says that it's actually the uptown rhythm. He then says that he feels like blowing, and Anita encourages him to "blow Roy, blow."
Overall, the lyrics of Let Me Ride are about wanting to experience the excitement and rhythm of uptown. It's a song about letting loose and having a good time, and the lyrics suggest that uptown is the place to do it.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey Joe
Opening line to get attention
What d'ya mean Joe, My name's Roy
Addressing mistaken identity
Well come here Roy and get groovy
Encouraging Roy to have fun
You bin uptown?
Inquiring if Roy went to the city
No I ain't bin uptown but I've bin around
Suggesting Roy has been around in other places
You mean to say you ain't bin uptown?
Expressing surprise that Roy hasn't been to the city
No I ain't bin uptown, what's uptown?
Asking what uptown means
If it's pleasure you're about
If you're looking for enjoyment
And you feel like steppin' out
And want to go out
All you've got to shout is
Just say
Let me off uptown
Take me to the city
If it's rhythm that you feel
If you're feeling the beat
Then it's nothing to conceal
There's no need to hide it
Oh, you've got to spiel it
You have to express it
Let me off uptown
Take me to the city
Rib joints, juke joints, hep joints
Types of places to go to have fun
Where could a fella go to top it
Where could a person go to find more exciting things
If you want to pitch a ball
If you want to play ball
And you can't afford a hall
And can't rent a space
All you've got to call is
Just call
Let me off uptown
Take me to the city
Anita, oh Anita, say I feel somethin'
Calling out to Anita
Whatcha feel Roy? The heat?
Asking what Roy is feeling
No it must be that uptown rhythm
Suggesting that it's the city's music that's making Roy feel a certain way
I feel like blowin'
I feel like playing music
Well blow Roy, blow.
Encouraging Roy to play his music
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: EARL BOSTIC, REDD EVANS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind