The Manhattan Transfer
" The Very Best Of The Manhattan Transfer "

Purchase the CD here


Tracks:
1. Boy From New York City (3:40)
2. Trickle Trickle (2:20)
3. Gloria (2:58)
4. Operator (3:11)
5. Tuxedo Junction (3:04)
6. Four Brothers (3:48)
7. Ray's Rockhouse (5:08)
8. Soul Food To Go (Sina) (5:15)
9. Spice Of Life (3:41)
10. Baby Come Back To Me (The Morse Code Of Love) (2:54)
11. Candy (3:28)
12. A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square (3:50)
13. Birdland (6:01)
14. Java Jive (2:46)
15. Route 66 (2:55)
16. Twilight Zone/Twilight Tone (6:06)

The Very Best Of The Manhattan Transfer picks the essentials in a career spanning more than 20 years... Why another "Best Of"? Well, the Anthology package was a bit expensive for some, and the first "Best Of" album came out 13 years earlier and thus missed many hits such as "Ray's Rockhouse," "Soul Food To Go," "Spice Of Life," and "Route 66." Think of this Rhino Records collection as an updated version of an earlier favorite...

Collectors Note: This album was released with two different covers! Some limited number were pressed with Laurel's picture in place of Cheryl's!
L Y R I C S

This archive is furnishing these lyrics to be used only for purposes of private study, scholarship, or research. A user who copies such items for other uses may be in violation of copyright laws. Many items in this archive do not contain individual copyright notices. The lack of a notice does not necessarily mean than the work is not protected by copyright law.

BOY FROM NEW YORK CITY
By John Taylor & George Davis

Ooo wah, ooo wah cool, cool kitty
Tell us about the boy from New York City
Ooo wah, ooo wah c'mon kitty
Tell us about the boy from New York City

He's kind of tall
He's really fine
Some day I hope to make him mine, all mine
And he's neat
And oh so sweet
And just the way he looked at me
He swept me off my feet
Ooo whee, you ought to come and see
How he walks
And how he talks

Ooo wah, ooo wah cool, cool kitty
Tell us about the boy from New York City

He's really down
And he's no clown
He has the finest penthouse I've ever seen in town
And he's cute
In his mohair suit
And he keeps his pockets full of spending loot
Ooo whee, say you ought to come and see
His dueling scar
And brand new car

Every time he says he loves me
Chills run down my spine
Every time he wants to kiss me
He makes me feel so fine
Ooo wah, ooo wah cool, cool kitty
Tell us about the boy from New York City

Well he can dance
(He can dance, take a chance with a little ro-)
And make romance
(mance baby, cause he's a looker)
That's when I feel in love
With just one glance
(He's sweet talking and cool)

He was shy
And so was I
And now I know I'll never, ever say goodbye
Ooo whee, say you ought to come and see
He's the most
From coast to coast

Ooo wah, ooo wah cool, cool kitty
Tell us about the boy from New York City
Ooo wah, ooo wah c'mon kitty
Tell us about the boy from New York City





TRICKLE TRICKLE
By Clarence Bassett

CHORUS:
Trickle, Trickle, Splash, Splash
Tell me how long will this rain last
The rain keeps droppin', there ain't no stoppin',
Tell me how long will this rain last

Trickle, Trickle, Slop, Slop
Just got to see my seat donít drop
She's there waitin' and I'm hesitatin'
Tell me just when this rain will stop

Ronnie, dig my clothes here boy,
One button row
Well, you know I'm sharp, as a tack,
Say can you lend me your Cadillac
Gotta go, gotta go to a party - yeah
Please lend me your show
Well if I can't take it,
You know I can't make it,
I won't see my baby no more.

CHORUS

Ronnie, she's sweet, she's fine yeh boy,
And I love her so.
Well if I don't make the party,
Man - she sure to blow.
Gotta go, gotta go to the party - yeh,
Please lend me your show,
Well if I can't take it, you know I can't make it,
I won't see my baby no more.

CHORUS
Trickle, Trickle, Slop, Slop
Just got to see my seat donít drop
She's there waitin' and I'm hesitatin'
Tell me how long will this rain last
Tell me how long will it last





GLORIA
By Esther Navarro

Gloria
Gloria
It's not Marie
Gloria
It's not Cherie
Gloria (Gloria)
But she's not in love with me

Can't you see
It's not Marie
Gloria
It's not Cherie
Gloria (Gloria)
But she's not in love with me

And maybe (maybe)
She'll want me (want me)
But who am I to know (who am I to know)
And maybe (ooh, maybe)
She'll want me (ooh, want me)
But who am I to know (who am I to know)
Oh---

Gloria (Gloria)
It's not Marie
Gloria (Gloria)
It's not Cherie
Gloria (Gloria)
'Cause she's not in love with me

Gloria!





OPERATOR
By William Spivery

Operator
Give me information
Information
Give me long distance
Long distance
Give me heaven...

(Two, three)
Operator
Information
Give me Jesus on the line
Operator
Information
I'd like to speak to a friend of mine
Oh prayer is the number
Faith is the exchange
Heaven is the street
And Jesus is his name
Operator
Information
Please give me Jesus on the line

Operator
Information
Won't you tell me why
Tell me why
Operator
Information
Don't try to tell me
What number to call
My mother used this number
When I was very small
And everytime she dialed it
She always got 't call the
Operator
Information
Please give me Jesus on the line

Operator
Information
Please hurry if you can
Oh Operator
Information
Please connect me
With the man
Don't worry 'bout the money
You know I will pay the charge
Just give me on the line
I'm callin' from my heart
Operator
Information
Please give me Jesus on the line
Please give me Jesus on the line

Won't you please -
Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus on the line

Yeah!





TUXEDO JUNCTION
BY Buddy Feyne, William Johnson, Julian Dash & Erskine Hawkins

Boop bop, Boop Bop
Boop bop, Boop Bop
Boop bop, Boop Bop
Boop bop, Boop Bop

Way down South, in Birmingham
I mean South, in Alabam'
There's a place
Where people go to dance the night away

It's a junction
Where the town folk meet
At each function in their best they'll greet you

Sax solo

Scat solo

Way down South, in Birmingham
I mean South, in Alabam'
That old place

Boop bop, Boop Bop
Boop bop, Boop Bop
Boop bop, Boop Bop
Boop bop, Boop Bop

Way down South, in Birmingham
I mean South, in Alabam'
'Ans old place
Where people go to dance the night away
They all drive or walk for miles
To get blues - that southern style,
So blue - it'll make you want to dance the night away
Tuxedo Junction - where I want to be





FOUR BROTHERS
By Jimmy Giuffre & Jon Hendricks

Take a seat and cool it 'cause unless you overrule it
We are ready to show you some blowin'
A rompin' and a stompin' is a lot of fun
Four brothers who are blowin' our horns

So settle down an' listen 'cause you don't know what you're missin'
And we're ready to give you a showin'
A movin' it 'n groovin' it has just begun
Four brothers who are blowin' our horns

We got a little message that you're gonna enjoy
Ain't no sense in dodgin' the facts
So settle in your easy chair an' if you ever had a care - forget it,
It's time to relax

We might as well admit it, we're the best that ever did it
But in case you ain't too sure a knowin'
We're gonna let you listen to us one by one
Four brothers who are blowin' our horns

JANIS:
How'd ya do, I'm talkin' about you
It's very nice to know that you have really taken time to listen to me blow
'Cause as sure as I'm born, I'm blowin' my horn
It's me baby, I'm blowin', zootin' it up
And I hope you dig the sounds I'm makin' more'n any other
Now I must go for it's time for you to listen to my other brother

TIM:
I think the chick's talkin' 'bout me so I'd better go 'n see
I'm hip that she knows a horn is very best to greet you
That's the reason I'm blowin' so snappily
I don't know what ya got, but it thrills me an' I hope to have a lot
'Cause it puts me in clover
So baby, if you would like to dig my other brother
You're gonna have to turn the record over

ALAN:
Hey hey hey
Who ya talkin' about, say who ya talkin' about
Did I hear you say you'd introduce your other brother
'Cause in case I heard you talkin' about three, that's me
Pleased to meet you, how'd you do, how are you, nothing new,
How is everything with you?
Whattya say I leave this jazz up to my brother --

CHERYL:
Dig dig dig my Long Island sound
I hope you're puttin' it down
You got me in a mood that's so romantic
If you notice you can dig this silly old act
Because I'm actin' so distracted when I dig you
Pretty baby you will never know how much I really dig you
You have got me so excited that I goofed blowin' my horn

ALL:
Ooh bop the news is gettin' around, we're really puttin' it down
We're glad of fact that you enjoy it and we wish we had the time to give you more
Thank you for the compliment
You told us we were better just as if we didn't know it
We're hip that we're the best, we're over all the rest
We're in the modern school, we always play it cool, we never play the fool
The honkers and the squeakers might be stealin' the show
But we don't go for that, so while we blow

BAND MEMBER:
Hi-ho, lackadaise, for it's a natural fact
I ain't no kin, but I would like to get in the act!

ALL:
Well get outta here, get outta here, get outta here
Now fellas we appreciate him makin you mad,
But we must ask you to apologize
Because after all he's in our band

Four brothers, four brothers, four brothers
Although we sound like more
Four brothers, four brothers, four brothers
We're really only four

We like to blow but we don't know how time can fly and how our cares pass away
We wish the time would never go so we could take our time an' blow 'til judgement day

Four brothers, four brothers, four brothers
Now just one final word:

JANIS: I'd like to know you and I hope I don't forget you
TIM: It's really a pleasure and I hope I don't look silly to you
ALAN: I'm hopin' the story that I told did not upset you
CHERYL: Sorry now in conclusion were you hoping that you heard four

ALL:
So just before we go we want you to know ---
We're glad you let us show you how we always end up with that jazz
(We don't call for back up on the road)
Oh - ohhh!!!!





RAY'S ROCKHOUSE
Music by Ray Charles - Lyrics by Jon Hendricks

Ray's Rockhouse, that's my joint
House of soul, git my point
We don't care what's your blues
Come in here, lose yo' blues
When trouble comes a-knockin'
Everything looks better while y'rockin'
You don't notice trouble while y'rockin'
Rock! (Repeat for 12 bars)

(Chorus)
Let's rock! That's what we're offerin' you
Let's rock! That's what we wantcha' t'do
Let's rock! Rock all y' troubles away
Let's rock! Rock till the dawnin' o'day
Let's rock! Rockhouse is ready t'roll
Let's rock! Rockhouse is good f'th'soul

Ev'ry Saturday night there's a scene
That's a part o'the fun
Mrs. Tucker will enter the joint
In a search for her son
Every Saturday night he sneaks out
Leavin' her in the lurch
But she's lookin' t'bring him on home
'Cause tomorrow is church
She really hates the rockhouse
She's sure the devil is in control here
Nothin' but rock'n'roll here

Yodle-dole-dole (Echo) Lady who
gotr a lotta rockin' to do
Swing - whatta y'waitin' for
We got plenty o'soul for you

Everybody gotta loosen your hip
Do a few rolls wait'll y'feel
Y'back'll slip then y'rockin'
Rock!

(Repeat Chorus)

Sisters of the flockhouse
Ain't got no business comin' to th'rockhouse
All the people in here
Are all in t'sin in here
Of this there's no doubt
That's why Miz' Tucker is pullin' Sam out
Rock!

(Repeat Chorus)





SOUL FOOD TO GO (SINA)
Music by Djavan
Lyrics by Doug Figer

My, my
Oh the feelin'
Of the sound
Precious and real and
Ooo that's nice
Whip up some steamin' jazz
The pot is on the stove
It's cookin'

Want some more
We always save some
Art nouveau
For special patrons
You look nice
Do you believe in jazz

Kansas City to Brazil
It even gets you hot in your home
Kansas City to Brazil
I say blow your top
Blow your own

Ooo ooo ah
This be-bop's too much
I know you know
Hip hop
Never stop
I'll pour you tasty funk
We got
Cool and hot
Just for you
The pleasures of the soul
Come on
Come in
And check it out
Ooo c'est si bon
Ooo ooo ah
This be-bop's too much
I know you know
Hip hop
Never stop
I'll pour you tasty funk
We got
Cool and hot
Just for you
The pleasures of the soul
Come on
Come in
And check it out
Soul food to go

Yeah, yeah yeah...

(Repeat all)





SPICE OF LIFE
By Rod Temperton & Derek Bramble

Down on the corner there's a reason to smile
When those evenin' shadows fall
Some kinda feelin' that it's hard to deny
Once the neon lights start to call
People out there searchin' for action
Daytime distraction slippin' right on by

Tonight, let's taste the spice of life
Keep it sweet until the mornin' light
Watch fantasy unfold
And let the lovin' flow

Caught in the madness of a summer romance
At a moonlight rendezvous
Lost in the spirit of a sensual dance
That can cast a spell over you
All you need's a night to remember
Flyin' together on the highest high

Tonight, let's taste the spice of life
A little music and some candlelight
Put passion in control
And let the lovin' flow

Could be the start of a million dreams we share
So lay back in the feelin' let the evenin' take you there

All we need is a night to remember
Flyin' together on the highest high

Tonight, let's taste the spice of life
A little music and some candlelight
Put passion in control
And let the lovin' flow
All night we'll taste the spice of life
Keep it sweet until the mornin' light
Watch fantasy unfold
That's the only way to go





BABY COME BACK TO ME (The Morse Code Of Love)

Dit dot ditty dit dot a ditty ditty
Dit dot ditty dit dot a ditty ditty
Dit dot ditty dit dot a ditty ditty
Dit dot ditty, Baby come home to me

I sent my baby a telegram asking to be her man
Begging her to come back home to me (Baby come home to me)
Oh I dotted the I's and I crossed the T's
And I'm begging pretty please
Honey honey, come back home to me (Baby come home to me)

Dit dotŠ..
Baby I want your love
Woo-oo
Baby I need your love
Ooo
Honey honey come back home to me (Come back home to me)
Dit dotŠ.
Got to have your love
Woo-oo
Can't live without your love
Woo-oo
Honey honey come back home to me (Come back home to me)

Oh I made mistakes, yes that's the truth
But the biggest one I made with you
Honey honey, come back home to me (Baby come home to me)
I thought that you would understand
I'm just a one woman man
Not like before so come back home to me (Baby come home to me)

Dit dot...
Baby I want your love
Woo-oo
Baby I need your love
Ooo
Honey honey come back home to me (Come back home to me)
Dit dot...
Got to have your love
Woo-oo
Can't live without your love
Woo-oo
Honey honey come back home to me (Come back home to me)

Dit dot ditty dit dot a ditty ditty
Ooo, aahh (Baby come home to me)
I said
Come back come back to me
Come back come back to me
Come back baby come back to me
Come back come back to me
Come back come back to me
Come back baby come back to me
(Repeat to fade)





CANDY
By Mack David, Joan Whitney & Alex Kramer

Candy
I call my sugar Candy
Because I'm sweet on Candy
and Candy's sweet on me

She understands me
My understanding Candy
And Candy's always handy
When I need sympathy

You wish that there were four of her
So I could love much more of her
She has taken your complete heart
Got a sweet tooth for my sweetheart

Candy
It's gonna be just dandy
The day I take my Candy
And make her mine, all mine

Candy
I call my sugar Candy
Because I'm sweet, so sweet on Candy
And Candy's sweet on me

You wish that there were four of him
Oh how I could love much more of him
He has taken your complete heart
You got a sweet tooth for your sweetheart

Candy
It's gonna be just dandy
The day I take my candy
Gee how the sun will shine

On the day my Candy
On the day my Candy
On the day my Candy's mine





A NIGHTINGALE SANG IN BERKELEY SQUARE
By Eric Maschwitz & Manning Sherwin


That certain night
The night we met
There was magic abroad in the air
There were angels dining at the Ritz
And a nightingale sang in Berkeley Square

I may be right
I may be wrong
But I'm perfectly willing to swear
That when you turned and smiled at me
A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square

The moon that lingered over London town
Poor puzzled moon
He wore a frown

Oh how could he know we two were so in love
The whole wide world was upside down
The streets of town were paved with stars
It was such a romantic affair
And as we kissed and said goodbye
A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square

A nightingale sang. A nightingale sang

The streets of town

Were paved with stars

It was such a romantic affair
And as we kissed and said goodbye
A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square





BIRDLAND
By Zawinul & Jon Hendricks

5,000 light years from Birdland
But I'm still preachin' the rhythm
Long-gone, uptight years from Birdland
An' I'm still teachin' it with 'em

Years from the land of the Bird
An' I am still feelin' the spirit
5,000 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

Oh!

In the middle of that hub
I remember one jazz club
Where we went to pat feet
Down on fifty-secon' street

Everybody heard that word
That they named it after Bird

Where the rhythm swooped and swirled
The jazz corner of the world

An' the cats they gigged in there
Were beyond compare

Birdland - I'm singin' Birdland
Birdland - Ol' swingin' Birdland

Hey, man, the music really turns you on!
Y' turn me on,
Really, y' turn me aroun'
'N 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, May would look - where?
Down in Birdland
Miles came through, 'Trane came too - there
Down in Birdland
Basie blew, Blakey too - where?
Down in Birdland
Cannonball played that hall - there
Down in Birdland
Yeah---

There may never be nothin' such as that
No Mo' - No Mo'
Down in Birdland, that's where it was at
I know - I know
Back in them days bop was ridin' high
Hello! 'n 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 o' the cats had the cookin' on
People just sat an' they was steady lookin' on
Then Bird--he came 'n spread the word--
Birdland

Yes, indeed, he did
Yes, indeed, he did
Yes, indeed, he did
Yes, he did, Parker played at Birdland
Yes, he really did
Yes, indeed, he really did
Yes, he really did
Told the truth down in Birdland
Yes, indeed he did, Charlie 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
An' 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, May would look - yeah,
Down in Birdland
Miles came through, 'Trane came too - yeah!
Down in Birdland
Basie blew, Blakey 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, May would look - yeah,
Down in Birdland
Miles came through, 'Trane came too - yeah!
Down in Birdland

Basie blew, Blakey too - yeah!
Down in Birdland
Cannonball played that hall - yeah
Down in Birdland

Down them stairs, lose y' cares -yeah
Down in Birdland
Total swing! bop was king - yeah
Down in Birdland

Bird would cook, May would look - yeah,
Down in Birdland

Background Solo:
Come in pairs down them stairs, lose y' cares
Them that dares gits it!

Pay the gate, don't be late
It's a date! - whattay' know
If y' dig, then you'll dig, it's a groove
Quite a groove, 'cause y' t' move
Come in twos, pay your dues

What can you lose?
Just your blues!
So lose them!

The band swingin' one and all and what a ball!
Yeah!

Music is good, music is better than good
Pretty good
Very nice
Really very good - things are bein' like they should
Very good -- very good -- very good

All y' gotta do is lend an ear
An' listen to it
Then y' dig a little sooner than soon
You'll be diggin' everything diggin' all the music

What a ball!

How y' gonna figure out
A way t' bring it all about amid a
Lot o' other music on the set'n on
The scene know what I mean?
How y' gonna separate the music from the scene
'Gonna have t' keep the memory clean
Y' gonna hear a lotta' sound -- a lotta soun'





JAVA JIVE
Music by Ben Oakland, Lyric by Milton Drake

I love coffee, I love tea,
I love the Java Jive and it loves me
Coffee and tea and the java and me,
A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup!

I love java sweet and hot,
Whoops, Mister Moto, I'm a coffee pot
Shoot me the pot, and I'll pour me a shot,
A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup!

Oh slip me a slug from the wonderful mug
and I'll cut a rug 'til I'm snug in a jug
A slice of onion and a raw one,
Draw one!
Waiter, waiter, percolator!

I love coffee, I love tea,
I love the Java Jive and it loves me
Coffee and tea and the java and me,
A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup!

Boston beans (soy beans)
I said the little itty-bitty green bean
(cabbage n' greens)
You know that I'm not keen about a bean, unless it is a
chili chili bean! (Talk it, boy!)

I love java sweet and hot,
Whoops, Mister Moto, I'm a coffee pot (yeah)
You shoot me the pot, and I'll pour me a shot,
A cup, a cup, a cup, 'an dat zat bootle!

Blow me a slug from that wonderful mug
And I'll cut a rug that's snug in a jug
Drop a nickel in my pot - Joe
Takin' it slow
Waiter, waiter percolator

I love coffee, I love tea,
I love the Java Jive an' it loves me
Coffee and tea and the java and me
A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup - BOY!





ROUTE 66
By Bobby Troup

If you ever
Plan to motor west
Travel my way, take the highway that's the best
Get your kicks on Route 66

It winds from Chicago to LA
More than two thousand miles all the way
Hey, get your kicks on Route 66

Now you go through St. Louie
Joplin, Missouri
And Oklahoma City looks mighty pretty
Hey Janis, now you'll see Amarillo
Gallup, New Mexico
Flagstaff Arizona
Don't forget Winona
Kingman, Barstow, San Bernadino

Won't you get hip to this timely tip
When you make that California trip
Get your kicks on Route 66

Now you go through St. Louie
Joplin, Missouri
And Oklahoma City looks mighty pretty
Now you'll see Amarillo
Gallup, New Mexico
Flagstaff Arizona
Don't forget Winona
Kingman, Barstow, San Bernadino

Won't you get hip to this timely tip
When you make that California trip
Get your kicks on Route 66

Get your kicks on Route six six
Get your kicks on Route 66
Get your kicks on Route six six

Whoo whoo ------





TWILIGHT TONE
By Alan Paul and Jay Graydon, Lyrics by Alan Paul

When I hear this melody
This strange illusion takes over me
Through a tunnel of the mind
Perhaps a present or future time oh, oh
Out of nowhere comes this sound
This melody that keeps spinning 'round & 'round
Pyramidal locomotion
From a mystic unknown zone

Hearin' the twilight
Hearin' the twilight tone

Unpretentious girl from Memphis
Saw the future through her third eye
People came with skepticism
Picking, testing her precision, no, wo, oh, oh
Suddenly they heard this sound
This melody that keeps spinning 'round & 'round
A signpost up ahead is calling
Through the mystic unknown zone

Hearin' the twilight
Twilight swept away, feelin' the rhythm
Hearin' the twilight
Twilight swept away, ba da, loo da, ba da loo da
Hearin' the twilight
Twilight tone

Submitted for your approval. One Mr. Miller, who's about
to take a trip into oddness and obsolescene, through a
zone whose boundaries are that of imagination.
Accompanying him on this journey is the mesmerizing
sound of the Twilight Tone.

On a cold & rainy night
One Mister Miller had a rare flight
Glen was up there boppin' a rhythm
Then the engine stopped to listen with him
Play that beat, oh, oh
Suddenly he heard this sound
This melody that keeps spinning 'round & 'round
Now he resides and plays trombone
In the mystic unknown zone

Hearin' the twilight
(Ooooooh, twilight)
Hearin' the twilight
(Hearin' the twilight)



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