The group's debut album, Urban Knights I, was released in 1995 on GRP and produced by Earth, Wind & Fire's Maurice White. Joining Lewis were several notable performers, including Grover Washington, Jr., Omar Hakim, Freddie Hubbard, and others. The album reached number five on the Billboard Jazz Albums chart.
Urban Knights II, which followed two years later, again found Lewis working with producer White and featured guest appearances by Gerald Albright, Najee, Jonathan Butler, and more. The album reached number seven on the jazz chart.
For 2000's Urban Knights III, Lewis moved the group to Narada Records and enlisted several Chicago-area musicians, including his son, keyboardist Frayne Lewis, and the all-female vocal group the Staples, saxophonist Dave Koz, and guitarists Earl Klugh and Fareed Haque. The album peaked at number four on the jazz charts.
In 2001, Lewis and the group returned with Urban Knights IV, which featured one-time Donald Byrd protégé trumpeter Ron Haynes and guest performer guitarist Norman Brown. The album peaked at number two on the Billboard Jazz Albums chart.
With 2002's The Chicago Project, Lewis stepped back from Urban Knights and handed leadership over to his son, keyboardist/producer Frayne Lewis. The elder Lewis returned the following year for Urban Knights V, which featured appearances by saxophonist Kenny Garrett, vocalist Michelle Williams, and trumpeter Orbert Davis.
The group released Urban Knights VI in 2005, featuring a performance by keyboardist Kevin Randolph, saxophonist Nick Bisesi, drummer Quinjuan Anderson, bassist Maurice Fitzgerald, and noted Chicago guitarist Bobby Broom. The album peaked at number six on the Billboard jazz chart.
After an extended break, Lewis put together another Urban Knights lineup for 2019's Urban Knights VII, featuring guitarist Henry Johnson, keyboardist Tim Gant, bassist Joshua Ramos, and drummer Charles Heath, along with vocalist Dee Alexander and trumpeter Maurice Brown. The album included original songs and reworkings of classic songs by John Coltrane, Chick Corea, and the Beatles.
Got to Give It Up
Urban Knights Lyrics
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'cause I was too nervous to really get down.
But my body yearned to be free.
I got up on the floor, boy,
so somebody could choose me.
No more standin' upside the wall.
I have got myself together, baby,
now I'm havin' a ball.
somebody watchin' might wanna make romance.
Move your body, move baby, and dance all night,
To the groovin', I feel all right.
Havin' a party, ooh, invite all your friends;
But if you see me stop by, let me in.
Baby, just party all night long.
Let me slip into your erotic zone.
(We heard that!)
Move it up,
Turn it around, ooh, shake it down
Ooh, you can bump me when you want to, babe.
This is such a groovy party, baby.
Dancin' face to face and everybody's screamin'
this is such a groovy place.
All the young ladies are so fine.
You're movin' your body leaves me no doubt;
know what you're thinkin', baby, you want to turn me out.
Think I'm gonna let you do it?
Keep on dancin' oh, Keep on dancin' oh.
Ooh, look so good, yeah, keep on dancin'
Oh, now sugar, got to give it up.
Keep on dancin', gotta give it up.
Keep on dancin' . . . . .
In Urban Knights' "Got To Give It Up," the singer describes his past social discomfort, recalling how he would attend parties and refrain from dancing due to nervousness. However, as the song progresses, he embraces his desire to dance and express himself. He then invites others to join him on the dance floor, claiming that as long as everyone is grooving, there is a chance for romance. As the party continues, the singer becomes enamored with a specific individual and expresses a desire to enter their "erotic zone." Despite this, the song ultimately includes a plea for the audience to keep dancing and celebrating.
Line by Line Meaning
I used to go out to parties and stand around;
I used to attend parties, but I would just stand around and not dance.
'cause I was too nervous to really get down.
I was too anxious to dance and let loose at the parties.
But my body yearned to be free.
Despite my nervousness, my body really wanted to dance and be free.
I got up on the floor, boy,
I decided to start dancing on the dance floor instead of standing around.
so somebody could choose me.
I wanted someone to notice me and invite me to dance with them.
No more standin' upside the wall.
I am done standing against the wall and will now dance on the floor.
I have got myself together, baby,
I am feeling more confident and composed now.
now I'm havin' a ball.
I am now having a great time and enjoying myself.
Long as you're groovin' theres' always a chance
As long as you're dancing and enjoying the music, there is a possibility someone could be attracted to you.
somebody watchin' might wanna make romance.
Someone who is watching you dance may want to start a romantic relationship.
Move your body, move baby, and dance all night,
Dance all night and let your body move to the music.
To the groovin', I feel all right.
As I dance to the music, I start feeling good and all right.
Havin' a party, ooh, invite all your friends;
Let's have a party and invite all your friends.
But if you see me stop by, let me in.
If you see me, let me come inside and join the party.
Baby, just party all night long.
Let's just party all night long.
Let me slip into your erotic zone.
Let me enter into your intimate and sensual space.
(We heard that!)
(We heard what you just said!)
Move it up,
Move your body up (or closer).
Turn it around, ooh, shake it down
Turn your body around and shake it down.
Ooh, you can bump me when you want to, babe.
You can hit me (dance closely) whenever you want to, baby.
This is such a groovy party, baby.
This is a really cool and fun party, baby.
Dancin' face to face and everybody's screamin'
Dancing intimately with someone face-to-face, and everyone is screaming and having fun.
this is such a groovy place.
This party is such a great place to be.
All the young ladies are so fine.
All the young women at the party are attractive and beautiful.
You're movin' your body leaves me no doubt;
I have no doubt that you want to dance and get intimate with me from the way you're moving your body.
know what you're thinkin', baby, you want to turn me out.
I can sense that you want to entice me and seduce me, baby.
Think I'm gonna let you do it?
Do you really think I'll allow you to seduce me?
Keep on dancin' oh, Keep on dancin' oh.
Keep dancing and don't stop.
Ooh, look so good, yeah, keep on dancin'.
You look really good while dancing, so keep on dancing.
Oh, now sugar, got to give it up.
Oh, now sweetheart, you need to surrender and let yourself go (while dancing).
Keep on dancin', gotta give it up.
Keep on dancing and let go (or surrender).
Keep on dancin' . . . . .
Just keep on dancing endlessly.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Marvin P Gaye
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind