Kansas City
Julie London Lyrics


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I'm going to Kansas City, Kansas City here I come
I'm going to Kansas City, Kansas City here I come
They got a crazy way of loving there
And I'm gonna get me some.

I'll be standing on the corner
On the corner of Twelfth Street and Vine
I'm gonna be standing on the corner
On the corner of Twelfth Street and Vine
With my Kansas City baby
And a bottle of Kansas City wine.

Well I might take a train
I might take a plane, but if I have to walk
I'm gonna get there just the same
I'm going to Kansas City, Kansas City here I come
They got a crazy way of loving there
And I'm gonna get me some.

I'm gonna pack my clothes
Leave at the break of dawn
I'm gonna pack my clothes
Everybody will be sleeping
Nobody will know where I've gone
Cause if I stay in town
I know I'm gonna die.
Gotta find a friendly city
And that's the reason why,
I'm going to Kansas City
Kansas City here I come




They got a crazy way of loving there
And I'm gonna get me some.

Overall Meaning

The song "Kansas City" by Julie London was originally written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller in 1952. It was first recorded by Little Willie Littlefield the same year, but it was in 1959 that the song gained popularity when Wilbert Harrison's version reached number one on the R&B chart and number two on the pop chart. London's interpretation of this song is a mellow, jazzy version that highlights the sensuality and longing of the lyrics.


The song is about a person who is leaving their current town to head to Kansas City, where there is a "crazy way of loving," and the singer is excited to experience it. The lyrics mention being on the corner of Twelfth Street and Vine with their Kansas City baby and a bottle of Kansas City wine. The singer is determined to get to Kansas City no matter what, whether it's by train, plane, or on foot. They also mention leaving at the break of dawn and not telling anyone where they're going because they know they won't be able to resist the temptation of the "crazy way of loving" in Kansas City.


The song is evocative of the city's reputation as a hub for jazz and blues music, and the lyrics capture the excitement of a new adventure and the allure of a place where anything can happen. The sultry, slow tempo of London's version emphasizes the idea of taking one's time and savoring the experience. Overall, "Kansas City" is a song that celebrates the joy of living in the moment and indulging in one's desires.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm going to Kansas City, Kansas City here I come
The singer is excited to go to Kansas City and is expressing her anticipation.


They got a crazy way of loving there
Kansas City has a unique and unconventional approach to love and romance.


And I'm gonna get me some.
The singer is determined to experience this different kind of love in Kansas City.


I'll be standing on the corner On the corner of Twelfth Street and Vine
The singer will be waiting for her lover on a specific street corner in Kansas City.


With my Kansas City baby And a bottle of Kansas City wine.
The singer will be accompanied by her lover and they will share a bottle of local wine.


Well I might take a train I might take a plane, but if I have to walk I'm gonna get there just the same
The singer is willing to take any mode of transportation to get to Kansas City and will walk if necessary.


I'm gonna pack my clothes Leave at the break of dawn
The singer will leave early in the morning with her belongings.


Everybody will be sleeping Nobody will know where I've gone
The singer wants to leave discreetly so as not to be followed or detected by anyone.


Cause if I stay in town I know I'm gonna die.
The singer feels that staying in her current location could be harmful or deadly for her.


Gotta find a friendly city And that's the reason why, I'm going to Kansas City
The singer is seeking a welcoming and hospitable place to go, and she believes Kansas City is the right destination.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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