Ted Heath (1902-1969) was the top UK bandleader of the 40s, 50s and early 6… Read Full Bio ↴Ted Heath (1902-1969) was the top UK bandleader of the 40s, 50s and early 60s. Born in Wandsworth, S. London, he started playing trombone at the age of 14 and played with Jack Hylton, Ambrose, Sid Lipton and Geraldo. He brought his own orchestra together in 1944 for the BBC and his career took off, including many hit records, the biggest success being "Swinging Shepherd Blues". During the 1950s his orchestra frequently performed at the Hammersmith Palais de Dance and from 1956 Heath and his orchestra were regular visitors to the United States. He employed many of the big-name British jazz musicians and his vocalists included Denis Lotus, Lita Rosa and the top British vocalists of the early to mid-50s, Dickie Valentine who went on to have a very successful solo career. The orchestra was disbanded in 1964 when Heath's health started faltering.

Take The 'A' Train
Ted Heath Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You must take the "A" train
To go to Sugar Hill way up in Harlem
If you miss the "A" train
You`ll find you missed the quickest way to Harlem
Hurry, get on, now it`s coming
Listen to those rails a-thrumming
All aboard, get on the "A" train
Soon you will be on Sugar Hill in Harlem

Overall Meaning

The song 'Take the "A" Train', written and composed by Billy Strayhorn in the early 1940s, became one of the most recognizable jazz standards of all time. The lyrics are about taking the "A" train subway route to reach Harlem's Sugar Hill, a historic African-American neighborhood in Manhattan. The song's character and upbeat tempo capture the excitement of heading uptown to an area known for its jazz music and nightlife.

The opening lyrics of the song, 'You must take the "A" train,' suggests a sense of urgency and importance when traveling to Sugar Hill in Harlem. The following lines warning, 'if you miss the "A" train, you'll find you missed the quickest way to Harlem,' emphasize the significance of seemingly minor things when on a quest. The third line of the song, 'Hurry, get on, now it's coming,' reiterates the importance of timing and the need to seize opportunities quickly.

In conclusion, 'Take the "A" Train' is an iconic jazz standard. Its upbeat tempo and catchy lyrics became synonymous with the Jazz Age and NYC’s nightlife. The song captured important themes of timing, urgency, and the value of simple things when attempting to achieve a goal.

Line by Line Meaning

You must take the "A" train
It is imperative that you board the train marked "A"

To go to Sugar Hill way up in Harlem
This particular train will take you directly to Sugar Hill, which is located in the northern part of the Harlem neighborhood

If you miss the "A" train
In the event that you do not manage to board the train labeled "A"

You`ll find you missed the quickest way to Harlem
You will have overlooked the most efficient mode of transportation to reach Harlem

Hurry, get on, now it`s coming
Quickly board the train right now, as it is arriving soon

Listen to those rails a-thrumming
Hear the vibrations and the rhythmic sound of the train running over the tracks

All aboard, get on the "A" train
It is time to embark on the train marked "A"

Soon you will be on Sugar Hill in Harlem
Your ultimate destination is Sugar Hill, located in the Harlem neighborhood, and you will arrive there shortly

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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