Up on the Roof (song)
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"Up on the Roof" is a song written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King and recorded in 1962 by The Drifters. Released late that year, the disc became a major hit in early 1963, reaching number 5 on the U.S. pop singles chart and number 4 on the U.S. R&B singles chart.[2] In the UK it was a top-ten success for singer Kenny Lynch, whose version was also released in 1962.
Content
In addition to the hit appeal of the "second Drifters" lineup, "Up on the Roof" epitomized the urban romantic dream as presented by New York City Brill Building writers:
When this old world starts getting me down,
And people are just too much for me to face—
I climb way up to the top of the stairs
And all my cares just drift right into space ...
Personnel
Credits are adapted from the liner notes of Atlantic Rhythm And Blues 1947–1974.[3][4]
- Rudy Lewis – lead vocals
- Tommy Evans, Gene Pearson, Charlie Thomas – backing vocals
- Don Arnone, Bob Bushnell, Al Casamenti – guitars
- Ernie Hayes, Carole King – keyboards
- George Duvivier – bass
- Gary Chester – drums
- George Devens, Bobby Rosengarden – percussion
- Jimmy Nottingham, Jimmy Sedler – trumpets
- Jimmy Cleveland, Frank Sarraco – trombones
- Bert Keyes, Garry Sherman – arrangements
Background
Gerry Goffin cited "Up on the Roof" as his all-time favorite of the lyrics he had written. Carole King suggested that he write lyrics for the tune, which had occurred to her while she was out driving; with King suggesting "My Secret Place" as the title, Goffin kept King's suggested focus of a haven, modifying it with his enthusiasm for the movie musical West Side Story, which contained several scenes set on the rooftops of Upper West Side tenements.[5]
Reception and legacy
The 1980 Rolling Stone Illustrated History of Rock & Roll described "Up on the Roof" as "in every way a remarkable pop song for 1962," and in particular said of the above lyric, "From the internal rhyme of 'stairs' and 'cares' to the image of ascending from the street to the stars by way of an apartment staircase, it's first-rate, sophisticated writing."
The melodic title riff was used in the Drifters version of "Under the Boardwalk", which is heard before the chorus of the song.[citation needed]
In April 2010, The Drifters' "Up on the Roof" was named number 114 on
Other recordings
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In the UK the Drifters' version of "Up on the Roof" failed to reach the Top 50, being surpassed by two British
Laura Nyro recorded "Up on the Roof" for her 1970 album Christmas and the Beads of Sweat and a single, affording Nyro her sole Hot 100 appearance with a number 92 peak. Nyro's version slows down the song's tempo and also omits the lyrics sung to the first of the original's three bridge sections. Also in 1970, Carole King herself recorded "Up on the Roof" for her solo recording debut Writer, from which it was issued as a single.
"Up on the Roof" had its most successful UK incarnation via a 1995 remake by
"Up on the Roof" has also been recorded by many other artists including
References
- ^ "The Drifters - up on the Roof".
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 173.
- ^ Atlantic Rhythm And Blues 1947–1974 (liner notes). Box Set. Atlantic Records. 1985. A1-81620.
- ^ Peter Grendysa and Robert Pruter, Atlantic Rhythm and Blues 1947-1974 booklet notes (CD edition), Atlantic Records, 1991
- ISBN 978-0743491488.
- ^ "Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone. April 2010. Retrieved September 28, 2015.
- ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ "CashBox Singles Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. June 2, 1979. p. 20. Retrieved 2022-01-01.
- ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ "Simon Cowell: The Official Top 50". MTV. MTV Networks. Retrieved 2012-06-12.