Birdland

The Manhattan Transfer

About Birdland

"Birdland" is a jazz/pop piece written by Joe Zawinul of the band Weather Report as a tribute to the Birdland nightclub in New York City, which appeared on the band's 1977 album Heavy Weather. The Manhattan Transfer won a Grammy Award with their 1979 version of the song, which had lyrics by Jon Hendricks. Quincy Jones won two Grammy Awards for the version of the piece he included on his 1989 album Back on the Block.


Year:
2006
6:03
49 

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5000 light years from Birdland
But I'm still preachin' the rythym
Long gone uptight years from Birdland
And I'm still teachin' it with 'em
Years from the land of the Bird
And I am still feelin' the spirit
5000 light years from Birdland
But I know people can hear it

Bird named it, Bird made it
Bird heard it, then played it
Well stated Birdland
It happened down in Birdland

In the middle of that hub
I remember one jazz club
Where we went to pat feet
Down on 52nd Street
Everybody heard that word
That they named it after Bird
Where the rythym swooped and swirled
The jazz corner of the world
And the cats they gigged in there
Were beyond compare

Birdland, I'm singing Birdland
Birdland, old swingin' Birdland

Hey man, the music really turns you on
Really? Ya turn me around and turn me on

Down them stairs, lose them cares
Where? Down in Birdland
Total swing, Bop was king there
Down in Birdland
Bird would cook, Max would look
Where? Down in Birdland
Miles came through, trane came too there
Down in Birdland
Basie blew, Blakie too
Where? Down in Birdland
Cannonball played that hall there
Down in Birdland, yeah

There will never be nothin' such as that
No more, skoo be wah, no more
Down in Birdland, that's where it was at
I know, ah ah ah ah ah, I know
Back in them days Bop was ridin' high
Hello, heh heh heh heh heh, goodbye!

How well those cats remember their first Birdland gig
To play in Birdland is an honor we still dig
Yeah, that club was like in another world
Sure enough, yeah baby
All those cats were cookin' on
People just sat and they were steady lookin' on
Then Bird, he came and spread the word
Birdland

Yes indeed he did
Yes indeed he did
Yes indeed he did
Yes he did Parker played in Birdland
Yes he really did
Yes indeed he really did told the truth way down in Birdland
Yes indeed he did, Yard bird Parker played in Birdland
Yes indeed he really did, Charlie Parker played in Birdland

Bird named it, Bird made it
Bird heard it, then played it
Well stated Birdland
It happened down in Birdland

Everybody dug that beat
Everybody stomped their feet
Everybody digs be bop
And they'll never stop

Down them stairs, lose them cares
Yeah, down in Birdland
Total swing, Bop was king
Yeah, down in Birdland
Bird would cook, Max would look
Yeah, down in Birdland
Miles came through, trane came too
Yeah, down in Birdland
Basie blew, Blakie too
Yeah, down in Birdland
Cannonball played that hall
Yeah, down in Birdland

Down them stairs, lose them cares
Yeah, down in Birdland
Total swing, Bop was king
Yeah, down in Birdland
Bird would cook, Max would look
Yeah, down in Birdland
Miles came through, trane came too
Yeah, down in Birdland
Basie blew, Blakie too
Yeah, down in Birdland
Cannonball played that hall
Yeah, down in Birdland

Down them stairs, lose them cares
Yeah, down in Birdland
Total swing, Bop was king
Yeah, down in Birdland
Bird would cook, Max would look
Yeah, down in Birdland

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The Manhattan Transfer

The Manhattan Transfer is an American vocal music group. There have been two manifestations of the group, with Tim Hauser being the only person to be part of both. The name comes from John Dos Passos' 1925 novel Manhattan Transfer and refers to the group's New York origins. more »

1 fan

Written by: Josef Zawinul

Lyrics © MUSIC & MEDIA INT'L, INC., Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Song Release
"Birdland" is a popular song from the album "Back on the Block" by Quincy Jones. It was released in 1989.
Cover Song
This version of "Birdland" is actually a cover. The original was recorded by the jazz fusion band Weather Report in 1977.
Successful Collaboration
It was one of the successful collaborations between Quincy Jones and the Manhattan Transfer, an American jazz vocal group.
Award Recognition
The song was nominated and won a Grammy Award in 1981 for Best Jazz Fusion Performance.
Song Reference
The song's title, "Birdland," refers to a famous jazz club in New York named after Charlie "Bird" Parker, the legendary alto saxophonist.
Song Structure
Quincy Jones' version of "Birdland" combines elements of jazz, bebop, and fusion, making it a complex and impressive composition.
Vocal Contribution
The Manhattan Transfer, who are known for their acapella and swing music, did the vocals for this song. Each vocal part mimics a different instrument in the song.
Additional Accolades
Quincy Jones' album "Back on the Block," which features "Birdland," won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1991.
Influence in Jazz
The song "Birdland" is famous amongst jazz musicians and has been covered multiple times in various different styles.
Lyrics Addition
Unlike the original version by Weather Report, lyrics were added to the song when it was covered by Manhattan Transfer and Quincy Jones. The lyrics were written by Jon Hendricks, one of the pioneers of vocalese, the art of setting lyrics to established jazz standards.
Tribute to Charlie Parker
The lyrics tell the story of Birdland, the jazz club, and are a tribute to the many jazz musicians like Charlie Parker who played there.
Crossover Success
The song achieved cross-genre success, being appreciated in both the jazz and pop music communities.

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