The group was formed in 1954 in Los Angeles by four brothers from Mississippi, Lester, George, Willie and Joe Chambers. They toured extensively throughout southern California but did not achieve nationwide success until 1965 when, with the addition of drummer Brian Keenan, they appeared at the Newport Folk Festival. Shortly after this they recorded their debut album People Get Ready. The band scored their first major hit in 1968 with "Time Has Come Today", from their similarly named third album The Time Has Come. However they found it difficult to build on this success and their manager had alienated both record company representatives and producers. He also misappropriated the groups' earnings . They eventually split up in 1971. They reformed without Brian Keenan in 1974 to record Unbonded and have toured regularly since.
Brian Keenan's percussion work on "Time Has Come Today" makes this song a classic in combination with Lester Chambers' lyrics. In the San Francisco Summer of Love in 1967, "Time Has Come Today" stood on its own merits and a refreshing respite from the otherwise drug adoring culture.
Uptown
The Chambers Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm going uptown to Harlem
Gonna let my hair down in Harlem
If a taxi won't take me, I'll catch a train
I'll go underground, I'll get there just the same
Cus I'm going uptown to Harlem
125th street, now here I come, y'all
They're ready for me 'cus I'm coming for fun
I'm gonna eat me some-a-chicken, and some black-eyed peas
Somebody barbequed ribs and some collard greens
I'm gonna party for days in Harlem
Leave the downtown ways for Harlem
Cus I'm going uptown to Harlem
Gonna let my hair down in Harlem
If a taxi won't take me, I'll catch a train
I'll go underground, I'll get there just the same
I'm going make it to the Cave and the Shadow Park?
I'm to uptown faces and down to swat?
I'm gonna make it to the play, I'll stand red-goosed too?
I'll break jack the truce and wear a suit?
I'm going to have me a pole? in Harlem
And that ain't all in Harlem
I'm gonna eat some chitlin's and some black-eyed peas
Somebody barbequed ribs and some collard greens
I said I'm going uptown to Harlem
Gonna let my hair down in Harlem
I'm going uptown to Harlem
Gonna let my hair down in Harlem
I'm going uptown to Harlem
Gonna let my hair down in Harlem
I'm going uptown to Harlem
Gonna let my hair down in Harlem
I'm going uptown to Harlem
Gonna let my hair down in Harlem
I'm going uptown to Harlem
Gonna let my hair down in Harlem
I'm going uptown to Harlem
Gonna let my hair down in Harlem
I'm going uptown to Harlem
Gonna let my hair down in Harlem
I'm going uptown to Harlem
Gonna let my hair down in Harlem
(fade)
The Chambers Brothers's song "Uptown" is an upbeat and lively celebration of the Harlem neighborhood, with the singer expressing their excitement to let loose and have fun. The repeated refrain of "I'm going uptown to Harlem, gonna let my hair down in Harlem" serves as a driving force, with the singer determined to have a good time despite any obstacles they may encounter. This is evident when they sing, "If a taxi won't take me, I'll catch a train / I'll go underground, I'll get there just the same." The singer is not going to let anything stop them from enjoying their visit to the neighborhood.
The lyrics also capture the essence of Harlem's food culture, with mentions of chicken, black-eyed peas, ribs, and collard greens. By listing these dishes, the singer is reinforcing the importance of food as a communal and celebratory experience in Harlem. The song also references specific Harlem landmarks like the Shades and the Park, adding to the sense of excitement and familiarity for those who know the neighborhood well.
Overall, "Uptown" is a joyful ode to Harlem, capturing both the neighborhood's lively energy and its cultural traditions. It's a celebration of coming together to eat, drink, dance and have a good time, encapsulating the power of community and shared experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah,
Introductory phrase expressing excitement or anticipation.
I'm going uptown to Harlem
I am headed to the northern part of Manhattan called Harlem.
Gonna let my hair down in Harlem
Going to relax and let loose in Harlem.
If a taxi won't take me, I'll catch a train
Will take whatever mode of transportation necessary to get to Harlem.
I'll go underground, I'll get there just the same
If a taxi won't take me, I'll take the subway to Harlem.
Cus I'm going uptown to Harlem
Reiteration of the singer's destination, Harlem.
125th street, now here I come, y'all
Referring to a famous street in Harlem and signaling that the singer is approaching Harlem.
They're ready for me 'cus I'm coming for fun
The people in Harlem are expecting the singer and anticipating a good time with them.
I'm gonna eat me some-a-chicken, and some black-eyed peas
I plan on having fried chicken and black-eyed peas as a meal in Harlem.
Somebody barbequed ribs and some collard greens
I look forward to consuming barbequed ribs and collard greens as a meal in Harlem as well.
I'm gonna party for days in Harlem
I will enjoy myself and socialize with others for an extended period of time in Harlem.
Leave the downtown ways for Harlem
I am leaving the more urban and commercial parts of the city to enjoy the cultural richness of Harlem.
I'm going make it to the Cave and the Shadow Park?
Wondering if the singer can make it to two popular venues in Harlem.
I'm to uptown faces and down to swat?
Unclear meaning, possible reference to the different classes of people in Harlem.
I'm gonna make it to the play, I'll stand red-goosed too?
Reiteration of wanting to make it to popular venues in Harlem and participate in local culture.
I'll break jack the truce and wear a suit?
Unclear meaning, possible reference to dressing up to fit into the culture of Harlem.
I'm going to have me a pole? in Harlem
Unclear meaning, possibly referring to having a good time with friends in Harlem.
And that ain't all in Harlem
There are many more things to enjoy in Harlem besides what the singer has mentioned.
I said I'm going uptown to Harlem
Reiteration of the singer's destination.
Gonna let my hair down in Harlem
Reiteration of the desire to relax and have fun in Harlem.
(fade)
The song's ending.
Contributed by Aubrey K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@JDGlenn
Here to praise Betty Davis who wrote this song early in her ascension. Also dig the Chambers Brothers in ways beyond expression.
@Corperate3DAnimatedGuy
Criminally underrated band & album
@mrnobodyz
Written by the one and only Miss Mabry Herself!
@chipstern1
WORD. Some vibrations linger longer.
@dennisscott1610
yes!!!!!🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘
@megalon73
1st time I heard of this band was the "Summer of Soul" (...or when the revolution could not be televised). They kick ass on this song. I'm wanna find more there music.
@annecsabagh
Wasn't that documentary one of the best you've ever seen?! I just watched it the other day and loved it!
@megalon73
@@annecsabagh The Summer of Soul is a really great story about the People and music of Harlem.
@Heretic_Hero
Same
@LJG907
White folk like loved the Chambers Bros back in the 60's. Funniest thing but I was singing these words to myself today and I just had to find the song on YT. My older sister took the album when she moved away from home.
I took my parents to Mr. Leo's in the city with a friend back in the 90's. God bless the Chamber Brothers!!!