Born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the Wilson brothers began singing and playing in their father's Pentecostal church, and it was also mandatory they practice their music lessons at home as well. They learned various instruments, which primarily included lots of playing the piano. As much as they despised the lessons at the time, it proved to be a value tool for all three. With Ronnie being the oldest, he established his own band when he was just a fourteen-year-old.
Charlie, a few years younger, joined a rival band a couple of years later. One particular night, the two bands were performing just across the street from one another. Ronnie stopped by to check out Charlie grooving on the organ. While there, Ronnie asked Charlie to join his band for $50 over what he was making. Though Charlie's band-mates doubled his offer, he joined his brother's band as fate would have it
At a gig not too long after the two had joined forces, the group's bass player quit; Ronnie and Charlie summoned their younger brother Robert, barely fourteen himself, to the group to play bass. For a short while, the group performed without a name. Musician Carlton Morales, co-writer of Julian Lennon's pop hit "Vallotte" played with the band shortly after leaving the outfit The Mighty Majors. Finally, the Wilson brothers began calling their outfit the "Greenwood, Archer and Pine Streets Band". As such a name proved too long for music posters, the band shortened their name to the "G.A.P. Street Band". Due to a typographical error, the group was actually advertised as "Gap Band" and "The Gap Band". That title stuck.
They performed at various venues around the Tulsa area, including country & western joints, tennis clubs, rock clubs, and wherever else called on their services. However, by the middle of the 70s, Charlie became interested in Los Angeles, California and left Tulsa to explore his possibilities; the country's big cities were in the middle of a soul music boom, and he wanted in.. A short time later, Charlie convinced his brothers to join him. The group floundered about L.A.; hitting and missing on record deals, gigs, and the like, the guys had a lot of talent but needed guidance. Still maintaining their interest in major label work, the group met entertainment businessman Lonnie Simmons through a friend, a musician D.J. Rogers, and their destiny was set. Simmons owned a nightclub called "The Total Experience" on Crenshaw Blvd and a recording studio at the time, and he signed the group to his company, which was called "Total Experience Records". Simmons would later start up a record label, also co-songwriting the Gap Band's tunes at times.
The Top Five single "Shake" followed in 1979, along with "Steppin' Out" (number ten) and "I Don't Believe You Want to Get Up and Dance (Oops, Up Side Your Head)" (number four) in 1980. The latter was inspired at a concert in Pittsburgh where some kids were chanting the groove and the Gap Band picked up on it. In December of 1980, the trio dropped its first number one single with "Burn Rubber (Why You Wanna Hurt Me)" and followed it with the Top Five ballad "Yearning for Your Love" (1981).
The group went on to score three more number one songs ("Early in the Morning" and "Outstanding" in 1982 and "All of My Love" in 1989), three more number two songs ("You Dropped a Bomb on Me" in 1982, "Beep a Freak" in 1984, and "Going in Circles" in 1986) and a horde of Top Ten hits. They also did the soundtracks for Leon Isaac Kennedy's Penitentiary III and Keena Ivory Waynans' I'm Gonna Get You Sucker. The group was given only 24 hours notice to complete the title song.
In 1984 Ronnie became a born-again Christian and started pastoring. He joined Melba Moore and David Peaston in the touring play Mama, I'm Sorry. Charlie went through rough times fighting a cocaine addiction until finally rehabilitating a few years later. Charlie has been one of most sought-after vocalists in the music industry. He has worked with Quincy Jones, Ray Charles, Eurythmics, Snoop Dogg, and scores of others. The Gap Band has recorded for various labels, including Mercury and Capitol Records. The group remained together for quite song time, enduring the good with the bad, and kept on touring into the new millennium.
The death of Robert Wilson, at the age of 53, on August 15, 2010 changed everything. Mourned by fans of the group across the world, many musicians cited his role in creating the band's funky soul sound. Numerous singles such as "Outstanding" and "You Dropped a Bomb on Me" remain radio classics to this day.
Party Train
The Gap Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Every all aboard
Anybody want to take this ride
Anybody want to ride
All it takes is a nickel or a dime
Be sure to get your ticket
Everybody's got to stand in line
So make sure that you too will be right on time
Everybody all aboard
Everybody all aboard
Mmm
Mmm
All aboard
Don't you miss it, baby
If you miss that train
Don't miss the party train
Oh, don't you miss it, baby
If you miss that train
Don't miss the party train
Everybody all aboard
Oh, baby
Everybody all aboard
Mmm
Don't you that train
If you miss that train
Don't miss the party train
Oh, ho, ho,ho
If you miss that train
Don't miss the party train
Your ticket, ooh
Mmm, mmm
Everybody all aboard
Ho, ho
Everybody all aboard
Every all aboard
Anybody want to take this ride
Anybody want to ride
All it takes is a nickel or a dime
Every all aboard
Anybody want to take this ride
Anybody want to ride
All it takes is a nickel or a dime
All aboard
Hee
Hee, hee
Ho, ho
Get down, get down, get down tonight
We're gonna party, gonna party on the train tonight
Get down, get down, get down tonight
We're gonna party, gonna party on the train tonight
Get down, get down, get down tonight
We're gonna party, gonna party on the train tonight
Get down, get down, get down tonight
We're gonna party, gonna party on the train tonight
Huh
Huh
Huh
Huh
Gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta get on board
Hey, hey, yeah
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, gotta come get on board, baby
Everybody all aboard
Get your ticket, don't you miss that train
Everybody all aboard
Get your ticket, don't you miss that train
Everybody all aboard
Get your ticket, don't you miss that train
Everybody
The Gap Band's "Party Train" is a fun, upbeat party anthem that encourages listeners to let loose and join in on the fun. The song opens with an invitation to hop on board and join the ride, with an emphasis on the importance of getting your ticket and not missing out on the experience. The repeated phrase "all aboard" reinforces the sense of excitement and anticipation, as the train sets off to take its passengers on a wild ride.
Throughout the song, the lyrics stress the idea of not missing out on the party train. The repetition of "don't you miss it" and "don't miss the party train" serves as a reminder to listeners that the fun is happening right now, and they need to join in while they still can. The song concludes with a repeated urging to get your ticket and not to miss the train.
Beyond its catchy lyrics and infectious beat, "Party Train" is a song that celebrates the joy of coming together and having a good time. It's a reminder that in challenging times, music has the power to bring people together and lift their spirits. No matter what struggles we may be facing in our lives, we can all join in on the party train and allow ourselves the freedom to let go and simply enjoy the moment.
Line by Line Meaning
All aboard
Every all aboard
Anybody want to take this ride
Anybody want to ride
Anybody want to ride
Anybody want to enjoy the experience
All it takes is a nickel or a dime
Be sure to get your ticket
Be sure to get your ticket
Hurry, don't miss it
Hurry, don't miss it
Everybody's got to stand in line
Everybody's got to stand in line
So make sure that you too will be right on time
Everybody all aboard
Everybody all aboard
Mmm
Expressive sound indicating excitement
Mmm
Expressive sound indicating enjoyment
All aboard
Every all aboard
Don't you miss it, baby
If you miss that train
If you miss that train
Don't miss the party train
Oh, don't you miss it, baby
If you miss that train
If you miss that train
Don't miss the party train
Everybody all aboard
Everybody all aboard
Oh, baby
Expressive term of endearment
Everybody all aboard
Everybody all aboard
Mmm
Expressive sound indicating satisfaction
Don't you that train
If you miss that train
If you miss that train
Don't miss the party train
Don't miss the party train
Have fun at the party
Your ticket, ooh
Reminder to get your ticket
Mmm, mmm
Expressive sounds indicating affirmation
Everybody all aboard
Everybody all aboard
Ho, ho
Expressive sound indicating amusement
Everybody all aboard
Everybody all aboard
Every all aboard
Every all aboard
Anybody want to take this ride
Anybody want to ride
Anybody want to ride
Anybody want to enjoy the experience
All it takes is a nickel or a dime
Be sure to get your ticket
Every all aboard
Every all aboard
Anybody want to take this ride
Anybody want to ride
Anybody want to ride
Anybody want to enjoy the experience
All it takes is a nickel or a dime
Be sure to get your ticket
All aboard
Every all aboard
Hee
Expressive sound indicating excitement
Hee, hee
Expressive sounds indicating laughter
Ho, ho
Expressive sound indicating amusement
Get down, get down, get down tonight
Get ready to dance
We're gonna party, gonna party on the train tonight
Let's have a good time on the train tonight
Huh
Expressive sound indicating confusion
Huh
Expressive sound indicating curiosity
Huh
Expressive sound indicating doubt
Huh
Expressive sound indicating surprise
Gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta get on board
Reminder to get on the train
Hey, hey, yeah
Expressive sounds indicating excitement
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, gotta come get on board, baby
Reminder to get on the train with enthusiasm
Everybody all aboard
Everybody all aboard
Get your ticket, don't you miss that train
Reminder to get your ticket and be on time
Everybody all aboard
Everybody all aboard
Get your ticket, don't you miss that train
Reminder to get your ticket and be on time
Everybody
All are welcome to join the party train
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Charles K Wilson, Lonnie Simmons, Ronnie James Wilson, Rudy Taylor
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ronaldspates4961
This is the America that I know and love...we are one nation of many cultures..let's try to love each other..this world 🌎 would be a better place if we give it chance 😊
@amyboone125
You are awesome!
@ronaldspates4961
@@amyboone125 ..You're too kind ☺
@amyboone125
Naw...just respecting you in this time of hate. Love EVERYONE until they give you not a reason. Peace!
@amyboone125
I'm an old white girl that loves everyone snd LOVES music !
@lisarowland7491
Agreed!!!!!
@bigkevinbell4416
Black,white,Asian,indians,,all races having fun,,that's wat America is missing 😢
@whaldoxd3295
Social media took over. Every one has to big of egos now certain people think they are bigger than other.
@douglasmurphy9127
well said heck yes
@thatfaebastard
Aye