Birdland
The Manhattan Transfer
Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!
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
Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!
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 SongThis version of "Birdland" is actually a cover. The original was recorded by the jazz fusion band Weather Report in 1977.
|
Successful CollaborationIt was one of the successful collaborations between Quincy Jones and the Manhattan Transfer, an American jazz vocal group.
|
Award RecognitionThe song was nominated and won a Grammy Award in 1981 for Best Jazz Fusion Performance.
|
Song ReferenceThe song's title, "Birdland," refers to a famous jazz club in New York named after Charlie "Bird" Parker, the legendary alto saxophonist.
|
Song StructureQuincy Jones' version of "Birdland" combines elements of jazz, bebop, and fusion, making it a complex and impressive composition.
|
Vocal ContributionThe 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 AccoladesQuincy Jones' album "Back on the Block," which features "Birdland," won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1991.
|
Influence in JazzThe song "Birdland" is famous amongst jazz musicians and has been covered multiple times in various different styles.
|
Lyrics AdditionUnlike 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 ParkerThe 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 SuccessThe song achieved cross-genre success, being appreciated in both the jazz and pop music communities.
|
Citation
Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:
Style:MLAChicagoAPA
"Birdland Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 14 Jun 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric-lf/7130113/The+Manhattan+Transfer/Birdland>.
Discuss the Birdland Lyrics with the community:
Report Comment
We're doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe.
If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly.
Attachment
You need to be logged in to favorite.
Log In