Up on the Roof
The Drifters
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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 stars And all my cares just drift right into space On the roof it's peaceful as can be And there the world below can't bother me Let me tell you now When I come home feeling tired and beat I go up where the air is fresh and sweet I get away from the hustling crowds And all that rat race noise down in the street On the roof's the only place I know Where you just have to wish to make it so Up on the roof At night the stars put on a show for free And darling you can share it all with me I keep-a tellin' you Right smack dab in the middle of town I found a Paradise that's trouble-proof And if this world starts getting you down There's room enough for two up on the roof Up on the roof
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Written by: Carole King, Gerry Goffin
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
19 facts about this song
Song Origins"Up on the Roof" is a song written by American songwriters Gerry Goffin and Carole King. Although Carole King herself performed the song, it was first recorded and made popular by The Drifters in 1962.
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Kenny Lynch VersionBritish singer Kenny Lynch was the first artist to cover "Up on the Roof" in the UK in the same year as its original release. His recording charted higher (at number 10) than The Drifters' version (at number 38) in the UK Singles Chart.
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Co-writer PerformanceLater in her career, Carole King herself performed and recorded a version of "Up on the Roof". It appeared on her album "Writer" and the successful live album "The Carnegie Hall Concert".
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Cultural ImpactThe song "Up on the Roof" has been covered by numerous other artists over the years, including Laura Nyro, James Taylor, and Bruce Springsteen, indicating its enduring popularity and cultural weight.
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Song InspirationThe song was inspired by Goffin and King's desire to "get away from it all". The "roof" in the title represents an escape from the chaos of the city life.
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Award RecognitionIn 2004, "Up on the Roof" was named number 114 on Rolling Stone's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
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Song ThemeDespite the soothing theme of escape to peaceful solitude, the song also explores themes of loneliness and longing for companionship.
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Library of Congress SelectionIn 2007, “Up on the Roof” was chosen for preservation in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or artistically significant".
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James Taylor VersionJames Taylor's cover of 'Up on the Roof' gained immense popularity and was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male at the 19th Annual Grammy Awards.
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United Artists RecordsThe original version by The Drifters was released under the label of Atlantic Records, while Kenny Lynch's version was produced by United Artists Records.
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Songwriters"Up On The Roof" is a hit song written by two legendary songwriters Carole King and her then-husband Gerry Goffin.
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First Record ReleaseThe song was first recorded by The Drifters in 1962 and it reached no. 5 on Billboard's Hot R&B Sides chart, and also number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100.
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Kenny Lynch's VersionBritish singer Kenny Lynch was the first artist who made a cover version of the song in the same year of its original release (1962), and his version charted at no. 10 in UK Singles Chart.
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Carole King's VersionCarole King herself recorded the song and included it in her third studio album, "Writer," released in 1970. King's version was not a hit, but it became a staple of her concert performances for years.
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Classic Pop Song"Up on the Roof" is a classic pop song that has been covered by many well-known artists. Besides Lynch and King, artists who have covered the song include James Taylor, Robson & Jerome, and Laura Nyro.
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Lyrics InspirationThe inspiration behind the song's lyrics came from Goffin's love of New York's skyline, especially when viewed from the tops of buildings.
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Becoming a StandardIn 2004, the song was named number 113 in Rolling Stone’s list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, fortifying its status as a standard of the pop music canon.
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Preserved in Library of CongressIn 2019, "Up On the Roof" was selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
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Dominant ThemeThe song has a dominant theme of seeking solace from the hustle and bustle of city life, supported by its lyrics about finding a peaceful and private oasis on a rooftop in a bustling metropolis.
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Citation
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"Up on the Roof Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 22 Sep. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/32882547/The+Drifters/Up+on+the+Roof>.
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