Ecuador, Columbia, and Brazil, Harlem's eye, glarin' not to far away. Livin' in this mixed up neighborhood, is something you can bet I'll never forget, on "Duke, Duke Ellington Boulevard." On DUKE, DUKE ELLINGTON BLVD.
pop
rock
techno
dance
rb
adult contemporary
power pop
blues
easy listening
ballad
keyboards
african
world
country rock
latino
Story behind the song
As a musician, I couldn't help but feel something special living in the same neighborhood that the legendary Duke Ellington grew up in. I lived on the corner of 106th St. and Amsterdam Ave.--106th St. was also known as Duke Ellington Blvd. Amidst the poverty and crime, there was always music on those streets, not to mention I fell in love in that neighborhood.
The recording is in pre-production, being re-arranged and mastered in preparation for commercial release.
Lyrics
DUKE ELLINGTON BLVD.
Cat in heat, pourin' out her cries for love,
a dog's bark, echoing in the courtyard.
You can hear the streets in the distance,
gettin' ready for a Saturday night.
"P.R." girls, walkin' in tight flower pants,
Broncos blastin', speakers fill the backseats.
Shadows dance from all the people,
lit by bodegas and traffic lights.
On DUKE, DUKE ELLINGTON BLVD.
On DUKE, DUKE ELLINGTON BLVD.
College crowd, hangin' out in the "Night Cafe,"
Marvin Gaye, blarin' from the jukebox.
'Cross the street, "The Cathedral Cafe,"
jazz band cookin' in it's 2nd set.
Ecuador, Columbia, and Brazil,
Harlem's eye, glarin' not to far away.
Livin' in this mixed up neighborhood,
is something you can bet I'll never forget.
On DUKE, DUKE ELLINGTON BLVD.
On DUKE, DUKE ELLINGTON BLVD.
We were dancing, on the rooftop, lit by moonlight.
I fell in love with her, on a night like tonite,
I fell in love with her, on a night like tonite.
INSTRUMENTAL
Low-life's and thieves, hangin' 'round a conga jam,
pit bulls chained: screamin' all through the schoolyard.
"P.R." boys, smokin' that "Cheeba,"
burnt-out stolen cars lie stripped on the side.
Old man Jew, takes a look out at the street,
seen it all, goes back to watchin' TV.
Cops cruise, lookin' for some action,
but tonite it's gonna be all right.
On DUKE, DUKE ELLINGTON BLVD.
On DUKE, DUKE ELLINGTON BLVD.
DUKE ELLINGTON BLVD.
DUKE ELLINGTON BLVD.
Copr. 2010 Jerry Flattum