Uptown Top Ranking

Althea & Donna

About Uptown Top Ranking

"Uptown Top Ranking" is a song and single by the Jamaican teenage singers Althea Forrest and Donna Reid, recorded when they were 17 and 18 years old respectively. Released in 1977, the song comprises the girls ad-libbing to deejay track "Three Piece Suit" by Trinity. The song was initially recorded as a joke. The record was played by accident by BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel, resulting in numerous requests for additional plays. With early championing by Peel and a performance on Top of the Pops, it soon became a surprise hit, reaching number 1 in the UK Singles Chart in February 1978. The track spent a total of 11 weeks in the charts. It was produced by Joe Gibbs, using a re-recording of the riddim of the 1967 Alton Ellis song "I'm Still in Love", which had already been re-popularised in the 1970s by Marcia Aitken's cover "I'm Still in Love With You Boy", and "Three Piece Suit" by Trinity, to which "Uptown" was an "answer record". The single's UK release was on the Lightning record label. The lyrics were written by the duo and Errol Thompson. Althea & Donna became the youngest female duo to reach the number 1 place of the UK chart. 


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See me in me heels and ting 
Dem check sey we hip and ting 
True them no know and ting 
We have them going and ting 
Nah pop no style, a strictly roots 
Nah pop no style, a strictly roots 

See me pon the road I hear you call out to me 
True you see mi inna pants and ting 
See mi in a 'alter back 
Sey mi gi' you heart attack 
Gimme likkle bass, make me wine up me waist 
Uptown Top Ranking 

See mi in mi Benz and ting 
Drivin' through Constant Spring 
Them check sey me come from cosmo spring 
But a true dem no know and ting 
Dem no know sey we top ranking 
Uptown Top Ranking 

Shoulda see me and the ranking dread 
Check how we jamming and ting 
Love is all I bring inna me khaki suit and ting 
Nah pop no style, a strictly roots 
Nah pop no style, a strictly roots 

Watch how we chuck it and ting 
Inna we khaki suit and ting 
Love is all I bring inna me khaki suit and ting 
Nah pop no style, a strictly roots 
Nah pop no style, a strictly roots 

Love inna you heart dis a bawl out fe me 
When you see me inna pants and ting 
See me inna 'alter back 
Sey me gi' you heart attack 
Gimme likkle bass, make me wine up me waist 
Uptown Top Ranking 

See mi pon the road and hear you call out to me 
True you see me in me pants and ting 
See me inna 'alter back 
Sey me gi' you heart attack 
Gimme likkle bass, make me wine up me waist 
Gimme likkle bass, make me wine up me waist 
Love is all I bring inna me khaki suit and ting 
Nah pop no style, a strictly roots 
Nah pop no style, a strictly roots 

You shoulda see me and the ranking dread 
Check how we jamming and ting 
Love is all I bring inna me khaki suit and ting 
Nah pop no style, a strictly roots

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Althea & Donna

Althea & Donna were a Jamaican reggae singing duo, best known for their 1977 single "Uptown Top Ranking", which was a number one hit in the United Kingdom in 1978. more »

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Written by: ALTHEA FORREST, DONNA MARIE REID, Errol Thompson

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CARLIN AMERICA INC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


24 facts about this song

Artist Background
Althea Forrest and Donna Reid who featured as "Althea & Donna" were Jamaican reggae vocalists who gained popularity in the 1970s. Their producer, Joe Gibbs, was a pioneering reggae producer also based in Jamaica.
Chart-Topping Success
The song "Uptown Top Ranking" unexpectedly became a UK No. 1 hit in 1978.
Youth Achievements
The powerful duo were teenagers when they recorded “Uptown Top Ranking” which led them to stardom. Donna was only 15 and Althea 17 during the time of release.
Lyrics
The song includes Jamaican patois in its lyrics, adding to its authentic reggae sound and honoring the Jamaican roots of the artists.
Music Composition
"Uptown Top Ranking" was composed over the "I'm Still in Love" rhythm from the duo's famous reggae artist colleague, Alton Ellis.
Hit Compilation
The song was originally released as a 12" vinyl single and was later included in the famous Joe Gibbs 12" Reggae Discomix Showcase vol. 1.
Resurgence of Popularity
The song has had resurgences of popularity, for example in the 1980s when it was featured on the TV Programme 'The New Statesman', and in 2001 when it was covered by singer Lily Allen.
One hit Wonders
Despite their huge success with "Uptown Top Ranking", Althea & Donna never managed to replicate this level of success with any of their later songs, marking them as one-hit wonders.
Recognition
The song was ranked number 54 on NME's list of "The 100 Best Songs Of The 1970s" in 2016.
Sampled
“Uptown Top Ranking” has been sampled in other foreign music genres such as hip hop, most notably by artistes such as British Rapper, Lady Leshurr in her popular song "Queen's Speech Ep. 3".
Cover Versions
Over the years, other artists have covered "Uptown Top Ranking", including the British singer Lily Allen and Naomi Campbell.
Meaning Behind the Song
"Uptown Top Ranking" is about the aspirations and lifestyle of the Jamaican youth living in the uptown part of Kingston where the upper-class society resides. It remains a timeless piece largely for its unflinching social commentary.
Singer Duo
The song "Uptown Top Ranking" was performed by Althea Forrest and Donna Reid, a Jamaican reggae duo who were known by their stage name, Althea & Donna.
Co-writer and Producer
Renowned reggae producer Joe Gibbs co-wrote "Uptown Top Ranking" and also produced the track.
Chart Success
Amazingly, Althea & Donna were only 17 and 18 years old when they recorded the song. Despite their age, the track peaked at No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart in February 1978.
Unexpected Success
Interestingly, the song's success was unplanned. After John Peel played it on BBC Radio 1 by happenstance, the song started to gain traction, eventually rocketing to the top of the charts.
Lyrics
The lyrics of "Uptown Top Ranking" are in Jamaican Patois and discuss the trendsetting, fashion-conscious lifestyle of the uptown Jamaican youth of the 1970s.
One-hit Wonders
Althea & Donna are often categorized as 'one-hit wonders' as they were unable to follow up the success of "Uptown Top Ranking" with any other significant hits.
Music Genre
"Uptown Top Ranking" is classified as a Reggae song, a music genre originated from Jamaica that combines elements of mento, calypso, jazz, and rhythm and blues.
Sampling
The rhythm of "Uptown Top Ranking" was borrowed from an earlier song, "I'm Still In Love", by Alton Ellis, indicating the common practice of rhythm borrowing in reggae music.
Cover Versions
Several artists, including Black Box Recorder and Nadine Sutherland, have covered the song over the years, showing its lasting impact in music history.
50 Greatest One-Hit Wonders
In 2002, "Uptown Top Ranking" was ranked No. 54 in the "50 Greatest One-Hit Wonders" list by British television network Channel 4.
Classic Pop Music
The song is considered a classic piece of pop music from the 1970s and continues to be played on oldies and classic hits radio stations worldwide.
Originally Released
"Uptown Top Ranking" was originally released in 1977 on the Lightning Records label.

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