Ja'Net moved onto TV roles, receiving a Peabody Award for a 1969 CBS children's movie J.T.. She then appeared in a daytime serial, Love of Life; she is the first African American actress to have a regular serial role.
Ja'Net is best known for her role as the sexy, confident gossip Willona Woods in the Norman Lear created series Good Times. She composed and sang the theme song, Movin' On Up, for another Lear series, The Jeffersons. Ja'Net has appeared in many films including the blaxploitation parody, I'm Gonna Git You Sucka, as a tough and loving mother. She has also done voice-over work for which she received two Emmys.
Ja'Net is the co-founder of the Pan African Film & Arts Festival which showcases global films about people of African descent and fine arts. She is a community activist whose DuBois Care Foundation's mission is to empower youth by supporting after school programs. Ja'Net is also a painter who regularly exhibits her work. She released a CD in 2008, Hidden Treasures, which includes the well-known TV theme song, Movin' On Up.
Moving on Up
Ja'net Dubois Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To the east side.
To a deluxe apartment in the sky.
Movin' on up
To the east side.
We finally got a piece of the pie.
Fish don't fry in the kitchen;
Took a whole lotta tryin'
Just to get up that hill.
Now we're up in the big leagues
Gettin' our turn at bat.
As long as we live, it's you and me baby
There ain't nothin' wrong with that.
Well we're movin' on up,
To the east side.
To a deluxe apartment in the sky.
Movin' on up
To the east side.
We finally got a piece of the pie.
Ja'net Dubois's song "Movin On Up" is an ode to success and upward mobility. The lyrics capture the excitement of achieving a desired goal and the happiness that comes with it. The first verse talks about moving up to the east side, which is traditionally a more affluent area, and living in a deluxe apartment in the sky. This is a symbol of success and achievement.
The second verse talks about the obstacles and challenges faced on the journey to success. The line "Fish don't fry in the kitchen, Beans don't burn on the grill" implies that things don't come easy and require hard work and determination. The use of the phrase "took a whole lotta tryin" reinforces this idea. The refrain "Now we're up in the big leagues, Gettin' our turn at bat" uses a baseball metaphor to suggest that they have arrived at a higher level, and they are now in a position to succeed.
The final verse celebrates the achievement of the goal and the happiness that comes with it. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the excitement and joy of finally getting what one has worked hard for.
Overall, "Movin On Up" is an uplifting song that celebrates the rewards of hard work and perseverance. It is a song that inspires listeners to keep striving for success.
Line by Line Meaning
Well we're movin' on up,
We are progressing, advancing and evolving towards our desired destination.
To the east side.
We are moving towards a specific location or direction.
To a deluxe apartment in the sky.
We have achieved or acquired a luxurious and grandiose living space.
Movin' on up
We are advancing or improving our current situation and status.
To the east side.
We are still progressing towards the direction we desire.
We finally got a piece of the pie.
We have finally achieved or received a share of the rewards or benefits we deserve.
Fish don't fry in the kitchen;
We have overcome limitations and obstacles by learning new skills and strategies in order to achieve our goals.
Beans don't burn on the grill.
We have mastered the art of cooking and are able to prepare our meals perfectly without burning or undercooking them.
Took a whole lotta tryin'
We had to put in a lot of effort, persistence and determination to make it to where we are now.
Just to get up that hill.
We had to overcome a lot of challenges, obstacles and difficulties in order to reach our goals.
Now we're up in the big leagues
We have achieved a high level of success, recognition and prestige.
Gettin' our turn at bat.
We are finally getting the opportunity to showcase our skills and talents in order to succeed further.
As long as we live, it's you and me baby
We will stick together and support each other for as long as we live.
There ain't nothin' wrong with that.
There is nothing wrong with being loyal and supportive partners in life.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JANET DUBOIS, JEFF BARRY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@CashThat4U
Janet Jackson loved her Ja'Net DuBois so much, that she was in her "Control" video. They kept in touch long after Good Times!
@horizontoday7874
Sheila Justus So was Ja’Net’s father, Cab Calloway
@samrodshenassa978
@@horizontoday7874 Cab Calloway was her dad?!?!? Wow.
@steveendicott1855
@@horizontoday7874 So far thats a rumor ,the Calloway Estate wants documented proof,of which there is none as of yet!
@baileybutterfly320
@@steveendicott1855 I think it’s a FACT! Those musicians slept around!!
@kareneaster7999
Mrs. Beverly Carter and I did also🙏🏽♥️
@JS-Jms
Thats amazing that she wrote the words without even knowing the story line. Amazing.👍
@qwammienewsome1357
If no one hipped her to the show's background, it is amazing!!!
Otherwise, she didn't wanna get anyone in trouble who may have known & told her.
@JS-Jms
@@qwammienewsome1357 On second thought I have to say that's true. It's a little too much of a coincidence.
@shemeciahaskell322
@Adele C. Always a negative naysayer 🙄