Doo Wop Groups

The great lyrics have helped this song endure over the decades. They speak to being in the city and leaving the troubles of the world behind when you go up on the roof: “I climb way up to the top of the stairs / And all my cares just drift right into space.” The song was written by the prolific team of Gerry Goffin  and Carole King.  Released in 1962, The Drifters’ recording went to #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #4 on the R&B Chart in early 1963. (In the U.K., versions by Kenny Lynch (#10) and then later Robson & Jerome (#1) charted more successfully than the one by The Drifters.)

The Drifters are a New York City group, originally formed by Clyde McPhatter,  that has gone through so many iterations and splinter groups that it would require an encyclopedia article to go through them all.  To make an epic short, for “Up on the Roof,” Rudy Lewis was the lead vocalist and Carole King one of the pianists. The Drifters continue to tour and perform.

Here are the lyrics to “Up on the Roof” by The Drifters:

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, the only place I know
Where you just have to wish to make it so
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
Say that, “It’s alright”
Up on the roof
Oh, we gotta go up on the roof
Up on the roof”

For more songs by The Drifters: “Under the Boardwalk” and ” Save the Last Dance for Me.”

For More Golden Oldies Music                                

The Daily Doo Wop Rec Room has daily featured doo wop, rock and roll, R&B, or rockabilly songs that were hits during the first era of rock and roll (that is, from about 1952 until the British invasion in 1964). After a song is featured, it then goes into the juke box. You are welcome to listen to any of the 40+ selections there. Every weekend, there is a Golden Oldies Juke Box Saturday Night, and the juke box is full of song requests from the 1950s and 1960s.

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