Drop Me Off in Harlem

"Drop Me Off in Harlem" is a 1933 song during the Harlem Renaissance composed by Duke Ellington, with lyrics written by Nick Kenny.[1]

A.H. Lawrence writes that the song originated from an off the cuff remark from Ellington. Nick Kenny had hailed a taxi, and offered to share it with Ellington. Kenny asked "Where to, Duke?", and Ellington replied "Drop me off at Harlem". Kenny then fashioned lyrics from Ellington's remark and presented him with them a few days later at the Cotton Club.[2]

The meaning goes beyond this casual remark. Harlem had become the American black peoples' first secure home. Finally, they had a community of their own where they could be safe from harassment. For the first time blacks could relax, enjoy themselves and be creative by their own standards. It was a wonderful thing to arrive home among your own and be respected. Thus the lyrics say 'Drop me off in Harlem, Anywhere in Harlem' because it was all good!


Notable recordings


Lyrics

Drop me off in Harlem Any place in Harlem There's someone waiting there Who makes it seem like Heaven up in Harlem I don't want your Dixie You can keep your Dixie There's no one down in Dixie Who can take me 'way from my hot Harlem Harlem has those southern skies, They're in my baby's smile, I idolize my baby's eyes And classy up-town style If Harlem moved to China, I know of nothing finer, Than to stow away on a 'plane some day And have them drop me off in Harlem Harlem has those southern skies, They're in my baby's smile I idolize my baby's eyes And classy up-town style If Harlem moved to China, I know of nothing finer, Than to stow away on a 'plane some day And have them drop me off in Harlem If Harlem moved to China I know nothing finer than to be in Harlem

Notes

  1. ↑ Lawrence, A.H. Duke Ellington and His World (New York: Routledge, 2003), 189.
  2. ↑ Lawrence, A.H. Duke Ellington and His World (New York: Routledge, 2003), 189.

See also


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