Take the A Train
A Billy Strayhorn tune from 1939. This was the standard tune played by Duke Ellington. Ellington hired Billy to write a new book for his band after ASCAP raised the performance fees and the Duke could not afford to play his own music. He told Billy how to get to his house, the first directions were Take the A Train and a classic was born.
Practice Video/Music/Backing Track – Click to open
Lyrics – Click to open
You must take the A train
To go to Sugar Hill way up in Harlem
If you miss the A train
You’ll find you missed the quickest way to Harlem
Hurry, get on, now it’s coming
Listen to those rails a-humming
All aboard, get on the A train
Soon you will be on Sugar Hill in Harlem
iReal Chart – Click to open
