Up on the Roof (song) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids "Up on the Roof" |
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| Single by The Drifters | ||||
| B-side | "Another Night with the Boys" | |||
| Released | 1962 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 2:33 | |||
| Label | Atlantic Records | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Gerry Goffin and Carole King | |||
| Producer(s) | Leiber and Stoller | |||
| The Drifters singles chronology | ||||
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"Up on the Roof" is a popular song written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King. The famous group The Drifters first recorded it in 1962. When it was released, the song quickly became a big hit. It reached number 5 on the U.S. pop singles chart and number 4 on the U.S. R&B singles chart in early 1963. In the United Kingdom, singer Kenny Lynch also had a top ten hit with his version of the song in 1962.
Contents
Song's Meaning
"Up on the Roof" is about finding a peaceful escape from the busy city. It shows a dream of a calm place in the middle of urban life. The song was written by famous songwriters from the Brill Building in New York City. This building was a hub where many popular songs were created.
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 ...
Who Played on the Song?
Many talented musicians helped create The Drifters' original song.
- Tommy Evans, Rudy Lewis, Gene Pearson, Charlie Thomas – These were the singers.
- Don Arnone, Bob Bushnell, Al Casamenti – They played the guitars.
- Ernie Hayes, Carole King – They played the pianos.
- George Duvivier – He played the double bass.
- Gary Chester – He played the drums.
- George Devens, Bobby Rosengarden – They played percussion instruments.
- Jimmy Nottingham, Jimmy Sedler – They played the trumpets.
- Jimmy Cleveland, Frank Sarraco – They played the trombones.
How the Song Was Created
Gerry Goffin said that "Up on the Roof" was his favorite song that he ever wrote. The idea for the song came from Carole King. She thought of the tune while driving and suggested the title "My Secret Place." Goffin liked the idea of a secret, safe spot. He was also inspired by the movie musical West Side Story. This movie had many cool scenes that took place on the rooftops of buildings in New York City.
Other Versions of the Song
Many other artists have recorded "Up on the Roof" over the years. Some versions became very popular too!
Early UK Covers
In the UK, The Drifters' original song did not become a big hit. Instead, two other singers released their own versions. Kenny Lynch's version was very similar to The Drifters' and reached number 10 on the UK charts. Julie Grant's version was different; it sounded more like Merseybeat music. Her producer, Tony Hatch, was later inspired by this to write the famous song "Downtown."
Notable Cover Artists
- Laura Nyro recorded "Up on the Roof" for her 1970 album Christmas and the Beads of Sweat. Her version was slower and became her only song to reach the Hot 100 chart, peaking at number 92.
- Carole King, one of the songwriters, also recorded the song herself in 1970 for her first solo album, Writer.
- James Taylor recorded his version for his 1979 album Flag. It became a hit, reaching number 28. James Taylor's version is known for his acoustic guitar playing. He often performed it in concerts, sometimes with a city skyline shown behind him. He also sang it at The Concert For New York City after the events of September 11, 2001, saying it showed positive feelings for the city. James Taylor and Carole King have performed the song together on tour.
- In 1995, the duo Robson & Jerome released their version in the UK. It was part of a double A-side single with "I Believe." Their version was very similar to The Drifters' original. The music video showed them on top of a New York City skyscraper. This single reached number 1 on the UK Singles Chart and sold many copies.
Other Recordings
Many other artists have also recorded "Up on the Roof." These include Anita Harris, Kenny Rankin, Dawn, the Lettermen, Ike and Tina Turner, the Grass Roots, Viola Wills, the Nylons, the Cover Girls, Neil Diamond, Heather MacRae, Peter Cincotti, Tuck & Patti, Marcia Hines, Frank Ifield, Billy Joe Royal, and II D Extreme. The song is also performed live by the a cappella group Rockapella. Even Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band have covered the song live during their tours.
- Full lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics
