Birdland
Quincy D. Jones Lyrics
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But I'm still preachin' the rythym
Long gone uptight years from Birdland
And I'm still teachin' it with 'em
Years from the land of the Bird
And I am still feelin' the spirit
5000 light years from Birdland
But I know people can hear it
Bird named it, Bird made it
Bird heard it, then played it
Well stated Birdland
It happened down in Birdland
In the middle of that hub
I remember one jazz club
Where we went to pat feet
Down on 52nd Street
Everybody heard that word
That they named it after Bird
Where the rythym swooped and swirled
The jazz corner of the world
And the cats they gigged in there
Were beyond compare
Birdland, I'm singing Birdland
Birdland, old swingin' Birdland
Hey man, the music really turns you on
Really? Ya turn me around and turn me on
Down them stairs, lose them cares
Where? Down in Birdland
Total swing, Bop was king there
Down in Birdland
Bird would cook, Max would look
Where? Down in Birdland
Miles came through, trane came too there
Down in Birdland
Basie blew, Blakie too
Where? Down in Birdland
Cannonball played that hall there
Down in Birdland, yeah
There will never be nothin' such as that
No more, skoo be wah, no more
Down in Birdland, that's where it was at
I know, ah ah ah ah ah, I know
Back in them days Bop was ridin' high
Hello, heh heh heh heh heh, goodbye!
How well those cats remember their first Birdland gig
To play in Birdland is an honor we still dig
Yeah, that club was like in another world
Sure enough, yeah baby
All those cats were cookin' on
People just sat and they were steady lookin' on
Then Bird, he came and spread the word
Birdland
Yes indeed he did
Yes indeed he did
Yes indeed he did
Yes he did Parker played in Birdland
Yes he really did
Yes indeed he really did told the truth way down in Birdland
Yes indeed he did, Yard bird Parker played in Birdland
Yes indeed he really did, Charlie Parker played in Birdland
Bird named it, Bird made it
Bird heard it, then played it
Well stated Birdland
It happened down in Birdland
Everybody dug that beat
Everybody stomped their feet
Everybody digs be bop
And they'll never stop
Down them stairs, lose them cares
Yeah, down in Birdland
Total swing, Bop was king
Yeah, down in Birdland
Bird would cook, Max would look
Yeah, down in Birdland
Miles came through, trane came too
Yeah, down in Birdland
Basie blew, Blakie too
Yeah, down in Birdland
Cannonball played that hall
Yeah, down in Birdland
Down them stairs, lose them cares
Yeah, down in Birdland
Total swing, Bop was king
Yeah, down in Birdland
Bird would cook, Max would look
Yeah, down in Birdland
Miles came through, trane came too
Yeah, down in Birdland
Basie blew, Blakie too
Yeah, down in Birdland
Cannonball played that hall
Yeah, down in Birdland
Down them stairs, lose them cares
Yeah, down in Birdland
Total swing, Bop was king
Yeah, down in Birdland
Bird would cook, Max would look
Yeah, down in Birdland
The lyrics of Quincy D. Jones's song Birdland reminisce about the famous jazz club named Birdland where legends like Charlie Parker ("Bird"), Max Roach, Miles Davis, and others played. Despite being 5000 light years away, the singer says that the rhythm and spirit of Birdland can still be heard. The song is a celebration of the history, the atmosphere, the energy, and the legacy of the club. The lyrics describe how Birdland was the center of the jazz world, where bebop was king, and where musicians could experiment and jam. They refer to the spirit of jazz as something powerful that can transcend space and time.
The lyrics also contribute to the mythology of Birdland by emphasizing how much it inspired and defined the jazz scene of the time. The song talks about how Bird named it, Bird made it, and how the club was like in another world. The lyrics mention the famous jazz musicians who played there and how they cooked (i.e., performed at a high level). The song suggests that playing in Birdland was an honor that musicians still cherish today.
In summary, the lyrics of Birdland infuse the jazz club with a sense of magic and nostalgia. They convey the importance of the venue, the music, and the musicians, and how they all contributed to the history and evolution of jazz.
Line by Line Meaning
5000 light years from Birdland
Despite being far away, the rhythm of Birdland still inspires and motivates
But I'm still preachin' the rhythm
The singer is still passionate about and teaching the jazz style of Birdland
Long gone uptight years from Birdland
Despite the distance and time, the singer still feels the influence of Birdland's jazz culture
And I'm still teachin' it with 'em
The artist is using their knowledge and experience to teach and continue the jazz legacy of Birdland
Bird named it, Bird made it
Charlie Parker created and popularized the jazz style known as bebop in Birdland
Where the rhythm swooped and swirled
Birdland was known for its dynamic and intricate jazz rhythms
The jazz corner of the world
Birdland was a well-known jazz nightclub where many famous jazz artists performed
Where? Down in Birdland
Referring to the physical location of Birdland
There will never be nothin' such as that
Birdland was a unique and incomparable jazz venue
To play in Birdland is an honor we still dig
Playing at Birdland was a prestigious and memorable experience
Everybody digs be bop
The style of jazz popularized in Birdland, bebop, was widely appreciated and enjoyed
Down them stairs, lose them cares
Descending the stairs into Birdland offered an escape from the outside world and daily struggles
Total swing, Bop was king
The jazz style of Birdland had an infectious and powerful energy
Bird would cook, Max would look
Charlie Parker was an incredibly talented musician who performed in Birdland, and Max Roach was another well-known jazz artist who played there
Cannonball played that hall
Cannonball Adderley, another famous jazz musician, also played at Birdland
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, MUSIC & MEDIA INT'L, INC.
Written by: JOSEF ZAWINUL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind