It’s one of those songs that relax you while listening and just get lost in. What a mood it gives you. There are worse places to be than on a roof with peace and quiet.
This song was first recorded by Little Eva but then owned by The Drifters. The song was written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King. King would later revisit this song on her album Writer in 1970. The lead singer for The Drifters on this song was Rudy Lewis. The Drifters would have a lot of hits in the 50s and 60s. Save The Last Dance For Me, Under The Boardwalk, There Goes My Baby, On Broadway, and many more.
The Drifters were formed in 1953 by George Treadwell and Clyde McPhatter. George Treadwell managed the group and laid the foundation of what would give them a distinctive sound. Clyde McPhatter was the lead singer of the group that also saw numerous members over the years but two others stood out above the rest. Johnny Moore and Ben E King. Rudy Lewis was also an outstanding singer but he died in 1964.
They took their gospel background and channeled it into wonderful R&B arrangements. This song peaked at #5 on the Billboard 100 and #4 on the R&B Charts in 1962.
They were elected into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988…up on the roof indeed.
Up On The Roof
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
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 feelin’ tired and beat
I go up where the air is fresh and sweet (up on the roof)
I get away from the hustling crowd
And all that rat race noise down in the street (up on the roof)
On the roof, the only place I know
Where you just have to wish to make it so
Let’s go up on the roof (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’ve found a paradise that’s trouble proof (up on the roof)
And if this world starts getting you down
There’s room enough for two
Up on the roof (up on the roof)
Up on the roof (up on the roof)
Oh, come on, baby (up on the roof)
Oh, come on, honey (up on the roof)
Everything is all right (up on the roof)
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A really great song for those who don’t suffer from acrophobia. they don’t make them like this anymore.
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lol…yes and that would include me. I don’t like being on a ladder.
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a fine standard, both in the writing and the Drifters’ performance. I would have guessed it to be from the late-’50s not ’60s. Great companion piece to their ‘Under the Boardwalk’.
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It goes well with Under The Boardwalk…a great song all the way around.
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Good grief Dave- you’re getting in before me again, and almost word for word!
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Yea…not all the hoopla of yesterday…that was kind of disappointing!
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You’re first sentence describes this song perfectly. A perfect pairing of writing and the right vocals. I believe the opening of Under the Boardwalk names things song. A great pairing for certain.
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CB’s theme song (One of them), Might have to alter the title “CB Fell Off The Roof’
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or “CB get off that damn roof!”
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I chose this for my “cuffing season” playlist on Monday…
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Great simple lyrics too. Or simply great. ‘I’ve found a paradise that’s trouble proof, up on the roof.’ Perfect pop poetry.
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Beautiful tune. I love the singing in particular. It’s a great feelgood song and one of the many hits penned by Carole King and Jerry Goffin. As a Carole King fan, I also love Carole’s version. James Taylor did a great rendition of it as well!
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It’s one of those pop songs that is classic. What a great title and subject for a song.
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It’s always interested me that singer songwriters got into this one. I think King revisited it a couple of times, Nyro, Taylor.
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This is the version I remember. It’s an excellent tune that has been covered often and well by others. I remember The Drifters and also The Platters which I think was a similar type of group.
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I remember the Platters as well…my dad had albums by them…but this is the one I know also..
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Where are your dad’s albums now? Your stepmom has them?
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Yes she does and then she lost all of it in a storage building… we don’t talk needless to say lol.
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Oh right 😦
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I love this great classic.
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Utter classic, atmospheric and you can feel the escapism in the song, one of Goffin and king’s many greats. Love it.
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