Ramsey Lewis has received seven gold records and three Grammy Awards so far in his career.
His recent "With One Voice" release pays homage to his gospel roots all while maintaining his classic style. With the help of gospel favorites Smokie Norful, Darius Brooks, and Donald Lawrence, Lewis delivers an emotion-packed, soul-stirring, album. Lewis also enlisted the help of his church's choir, pastored by his older sister, to sing on several of the album's tracks. The J.W. James Memorial A.M.E. Church Combined Choir is breath-taking, adding so much life, freedom, and hope to "With One Voice". The CD's first single, "Pass Me Not" can be heard on Chicago's WGCI 107.5.
In addition to recording and performing, he is / has been a radio host on Chicago's Smooth Jazz station, WNUA (95.5 FM). His syndicated show Legends of Jazz, featuring classic jazz recordings from artists such as Charlie Parker and Miles Davis), can be heard in 60 cities in the United States and other countries as well. His most recent venture, the Legends of Jazz television series on PBS, was first aired in April 2006.
As of 2005 he has been hosting a radio show called Legends of Jazz for London's Smooth FM (previously Jazz FM).
On December 4, 2006, the Ramsey Lewis Morning Show will become a part of Broadcast Architecture's Smooth Jazz Network, simulcasting on other Smooth Jazz stations across the country for the first time. However, the show will still be based in Chicago, as it has always been.
Hang on Sloopy
The Ramsey Lewis Trio Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hang on sloopy, sloopy hang on
Sloopy lives in a very bad part of town
And everybody there tries to put my sloopy down
Sloopy i don't care what your daddy do
'cause you know sloopy girl i'm in love with you
And so i'm singing...
Chorus
Yeah yeah yeah yeah...
Lead break
Sloopy let your hair down girl, let it run down on me
Sloopy let your hair down girl, let it run down on me
Come on sloopy come on, come on - x 2
Well come on sloopy come on, come on - x 2
Well it feels so good come on, come on
You know it feels so good come on, come on
Well shake it, shake it, shake it sloopy come on, come on
Well shake it, shake it, shake it yeah
Yeah...
Chorus
The Ramsey Lewis Trio's song "Hang on Sloopy" is a love song that shows the singer's steadfast love for Sloopy, no matter what people in her community say. The repeated phrase "Hang on Sloopy, sloopy hang on" is both a plea for Sloopy to hang on to their love, and also a command to the listener to hold on to the joyfulness and freedom that Sloopy represents.
Sloopy lives in a "very bad" part of town, and the other residents try to "put my Sloopy down." Despite this, the singer declares his love for her, accepting her regardless of what her father may do. The song has a fun, upbeat quality to it, and the guitar and piano solos add to the festive atmosphere. The second verse invites Sloopy to "let her hair down" and join the singer, echoing the carefree and rebellious spirit of the song.
Overall, "Hang on Sloopy" is a joyful and optimistic song about love, independence, and the determination to hold on to the things that make life worth living.
Line by Line Meaning
Hang on sloopy, sloopy hang on
Encouraging Sloopy to hang on and not give up.
Sloopy lives in a very bad part of town
Sloopy lives in a rough and dangerous neighborhood.
And everybody there tries to put my sloopy down
The people in the neighborhood constantly criticize and talk down about Sloopy.
Sloopy i don't care what your daddy do
The singer does not care about Sloopy's family or upbringing.
'cause you know sloopy girl i'm in love with you
The singer is in love with Sloopy and nothing will change that.
And so i'm singing...
The singer is expressing his feelings through music.
Chorus
Yeah yeah yeah yeah...
Refrain to encourage Sloopy to hang on despite the circumstances.
Lead break
Instrumental solo.
Sloopy let your hair down girl, let it run down on me
Sloopy should loosen up and be herself.
Come on sloopy come on, come on - x 2
Invitation to Sloopy to join the singer.
Well come on sloopy come on, come on - x 2
Repeating the invitation to join the singer.
Well it feels so good come on, come on
Being with Sloopy feels amazing.
You know it feels so good come on, come on
Reiterating how good it feels to be with her.
Well shake it, shake it, shake it sloopy come on, come on
Sloopy should dance and have fun.
Well shake it, shake it, shake it yeah
Encouraging Sloopy to keep dancing.
Chorus
Refrain to encourage Sloopy to hang on despite the circumstances.
Writer(s): Wes Farrell, Bert Berns Bert Russell
Contributed by Amelia C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@kennethhuang371
Ramsey Lewis died peacefully this week. He was 87 years old. He was a versatile performer of jazz for more than 60 years.
Kenneth A Huang 9/17/22
@frankrehm3650
RIP Ramsey Lewis - You will never be forgotten.
@michaelboyce9373
When the crowd sings along,you know you got it made!
@Hutch41
Crowd responses were dubbed on. Same with The In Crowd. Very effective though.
@timothychiles6675
God rest your swinging soul brother! Well done!
@a.b.sproductionsllc
If this shit doesn’t make you wanna get up and groove then there is something seriously wrong with you. I wish it was LONGER!!
@jimshelley8831
I'm in Bangkok listening to this great version at 5.38am, great stuff.
@mrmjb1960
You may also want to listen to His The In Crowd too!
@amandas5891
Nobody makes music like this anymore.
@reginaking1147
RIP Sir!