First time I've heard it in stereo. Rhythm section on the right, strings and horns on the left and the great Rudy Lewis center stage. Didn't 8 track pioneerTom Dowd engineer this?
I love this song. It reminds me of a family holiday in Spain. They had different entertainment every-night at this place called the square and there was a drifters tribute act one night. Since then I've loved the drifters.
I first herad this at the beginning of 1963, while in Brighton we were in the grip of one of the coldest winters in my memory (going back to 1937!). The snow came on Boxing Day and stayed on the ground right up until the end of March. .Then came the son!!!!
i dont believe you had to grow up in new york or any city to get this song , i was born in 1969 , and in the uk in a sleepy village in kent , but i had fantastic parents , and older brothers and a sister , who played grat music all the time , from the 1920s to current at the time , many , many types of music which stay with me today , and i play to my 23 year old son , and 17 year old daughter , sure they like todays music , but they love this type better , you know whats ironic , i am a roofer
It was so hot out-- we'd climb thru this window in our apt for air and there we'd be, up on the roof playing stuff like this. I wanna be there again:( Loved those days....
I thought I have heard someone on the roof, now, lke twice, and I thnk it was a homeless man, the one time, now that I thought about it. Gross! I thought it could have been like a killer. This is it. I am putting on a na alarm , for the proof. I'm not crazy! Gotta go, trying to rinse my hair. I need it staightened!
This Carole King- Gerry Goffin song was made for the late Rudy Lewis. No one could sing it like he could. I wonder if anyone could post of video of him singing lead with the Drifters. After all the was a national #5 hit in 1962, someone should have a video.
I know l will have to wait until I get to heaven to find out which is best, "Up On the Roof" or "Under the Boardwalk." Both clearly had Divine inspiration!
Oh, to think that i didn't live in NYC. But i still know what it feels like to want to get to a place of escape. At night when it was hot and things seemed to close in on you, you wanted to getaway. There was a place called Burnett's Mound. We would go there at night and look out over "T" Town and dream. Times were hard back then too. But i am glad that i don't live as a young person today. And i apologize to the young because my generation failed you in some ways. We didn't know how to do- #1
@louigi82048 -hi frepnd i live in a place we call t-town with a hill over looking the town which we also call burnetts mound great place to sit and enjoy the eve. im from topeka kansas areal coincidence had to say howdy hope you lived throgh the 69ties also PEACE
This song reminds me of my daddy whom I miss. We used to sing this together when I was little. He used to live in a house where from the second floor you could step out onto the roof. For centuries people have gazed upon the same endless sky. Entire cultures have observed their ways for centuries. Stars can be used in navigation. In my opinion Alaska has the best evening sky from a roof because of Aurora Borealis. I will always think of Alaska when I hear this song.
This song just makes me want to walk on a cloud away from all the BS going on in the world right now. Thank God for great music, is all I'm saying. We need more groups like the Drifters just to keep our sanity.
This is REAL music! Never mind all your Justin Beibers + Miley Cyrus' out there, they hav a LOT to learn till they hav anything on legends like these guys :))
@jaemel1 I suppose I ought to add a disclaimer. I despise the stuff that passes as "rap" these days. I listen to slightly older stuff, everything from Philadelphia Slick (completely clean and EXCELLENT music, highly recommend it) to Ol' Dirty B@$tard (Wouldn't recommend it to someone who doesn't listen to much rap).
@jaemel1 i remeber being 4 going to west Virgina with my grandparents to see great grandma listening to this. i still sing this song and many other 18 years and counting (22 now). and trust me imma have my kids listening to this
@jmarrvin If more hardcore rap fanatics would listen to this kind of music you guys would find so much more material. The only reason that new rap developed is because groups started sampling older tunes. I wish that sampling would make a comeback.
@jmarrvin Yeah me too! When I used to work at Burger King I was the closing cashier and all the guys would play the rap that was on the jukebox. I would play this song EVERY NIGHT!!! I make music and this song is so special to me that I won't sample it because some songs shouldn't be sampled!
Growing up in the inner city of Chicago, this song meant a lot to me and my friends. Watching the lights of the city and the moon glittering on the lake.
@jaemel1 recently in Staten island, on a show there was Linwood Peel he stated he was with the driffters in the 90's for 12 years really great showman good voice too
Thank you jaemel Living my early years in The Windy City Chicago The Drifters was played in our Auto Shop a lot. Up On The Roof was a song we played in one of the Martial arts class i attended. Since the class was on the top floor over looking the roofs all over that side of the city. UP ON THE ROOF is a Time Tested GREAT is what Robert Weston Smith told me in Washington D.C. you would know him as WOLFMAN JACK . The United States Air Force even sponsored Wolfman Jack playing The Drifters.
i never grew up in the big city. but i can feel what the drifters are saying. they do a great job of expressing how it feels to be looking over the city and to watch the stars through they're lyrics and notes. i love this song.
I was 7 years old when my parents got divorced. It was a confusing time for me. I was too young to understand what happened. My Mom owned maybe a dozen 45 RPM records and this was one of them.
During our weekend visits, she played this song over and over on her new automatic record player.
@GregSr thankyou for the great story brother!, im not a religious man but something tells me your mum still enjoys this song with you, be it in another time or dimension, you are the only one will know when shes listening though ;-). your mom definately raised you on the right music my friend :-)
A native New York ... this song and its memories brings tears to my eyes. In the City that never sleeps, places like rooftops, community pools, and Central Park are a Paradise. I truly enjoyed the chosen city images that accompanies this song. A beautiful presentation.
"Under the Boardwalk" usually follows this song immediately, on the good radio shows. The Drifters had countless hits and just plain good and fun songs. "Along Came Jones" is a classic.
Well< St Louis Mo. Is not Your New York Type city or nothing like that, but We have roof tops here with great veiws of St Louis Spectacular Sky line with the Fame Gateway Arch. I long for a deck on My roof because I have that veiw that very veiw. But it seems at My age it hasn!t happen, so I still listen to this song and think about Newyork because up there there are a lot of decked Out roof tops where the air is fresh and sweet. Thanks for the posting
446 W 55 St. NYC 1957 Sound of the ships moving on The Hudson, Blue skies, billowing white clouds rollin' on by and pigeons circling overhead. Yeah, I guess ya gotta get up those five flights plus one more to be there. I'm thinkin' Gerry Goffin and Carole King got up there from time to time. Later
i started going out on the roof on roasting summer days when i was like 3...i'm 16 now and it's one of those few things that gives me the same thrill as when i was a little carefree boy :)
I'm 15 and I love this song =D
oblivion234brown 1 day ago
they just don't make music like this any more,thanks for the memories.
cafewa100 3 days ago
I will never get tired of this song.
BK7268 1 week ago
Please credit the songwriters, Carole King (composer) and Gerry Goffin (lyric).
brianallancobb 3 weeks ago
BIG BIG TUNE!
PhemyWilliams 4 weeks ago
4 people rather stay on the ground listening to the turmoil then go up on the roof!
DeltaEagle7700 1 month ago
There were some lovely songs back then, I wonder what people will be saying in 50 years time about todays music (^_^)
korky5214 1 month ago
TO MY BROTHER DENNIS
UP IN HEAVEN, THIS SONG WILL ALWAYS BEAT IN OUR HEARTS
rach9586 1 month ago
Happy 50th Anniversary to a King-Goffin crown jewel.
Juliaflo 1 month ago
When Times Were Simple...
MrTimido92 1 month ago
Just to step away from all of the daily events !
mscarmen35 1 month ago
1:43 - 1:58..... " At night the stars put on a show for free, and darlin you can share it all with me".
Two of the most coolest lines in any rock n roll song ever.
1-12-12
patrickb5197 1 month ago
First time I've heard it in stereo. Rhythm section on the right, strings and horns on the left and the great Rudy Lewis center stage. Didn't 8 track pioneerTom Dowd engineer this?
sprague49 1 month ago
i`m 16 and i love this song, it`s on of my favs :P
ILOVECHEESECAKEable 2 months ago
I did grow up in the city .this is great
mamaluvify 2 months ago
This song takes me back to my Navy days in Okinawa, 1962, All my buddies and my
youth. We worked and played hard and at night we'd go into the clubs where we heard
all the great tunes from the States. Funny how music can take you back. Thanks for
the memories and the post.
johnmorris008 2 months ago 2
jameel1, A good imagination and sense of romanticism works too. ;-)
euphonial 2 months ago
I love this song. It reminds me of a family holiday in Spain. They had different entertainment every-night at this place called the square and there was a drifters tribute act one night. Since then I've loved the drifters.
cookieantdec 2 months ago
I first herad this at the beginning of 1963, while in Brighton we were in the grip of one of the coldest winters in my memory (going back to 1937!). The snow came on Boxing Day and stayed on the ground right up until the end of March. .Then came the son!!!!
anthonyhollis100 2 months ago
i dont believe you had to grow up in new york or any city to get this song , i was born in 1969 , and in the uk in a sleepy village in kent , but i had fantastic parents , and older brothers and a sister , who played grat music all the time , from the 1920s to current at the time , many , many types of music which stay with me today , and i play to my 23 year old son , and 17 year old daughter , sure they like todays music , but they love this type better , you know whats ironic , i am a roofer
chris185821 2 months ago
It was so hot out-- we'd climb thru this window in our apt for air and there we'd be, up on the roof playing stuff like this. I wanna be there again:( Loved those days....
femmesusan1 2 months ago
blue lifts me higher
51rang 2 months ago
I thought I have heard someone on the roof, now, lke twice, and I thnk it was a homeless man, the one time, now that I thought about it. Gross! I thought it could have been like a killer. This is it. I am putting on a na alarm , for the proof. I'm not crazy! Gotta go, trying to rinse my hair. I need it staightened!
astrologyfox 3 months ago
This may just be the best song to come along in the past 60 years. It's perfect!
hbailen 3 months ago
This Carole King- Gerry Goffin song was made for the late Rudy Lewis. No one could sing it like he could. I wonder if anyone could post of video of him singing lead with the Drifters. After all the was a national #5 hit in 1962, someone should have a video.
Cch092775 3 months ago
Lol I'm from New Mexico, and I completely get this song...I freaking love my roof...
n3k0ninja1 3 months ago
A great group. This was there best lineup.
skipper8257 3 months ago
I know l will have to wait until I get to heaven to find out which is best, "Up On the Roof" or "Under the Boardwalk." Both clearly had Divine inspiration!
higgme1ster 3 months ago
Love this song and these guys! Sam Cooke and the Drifters put soul into this world!
tomorey1 3 months ago
love xxoo
creektrouble 3 months ago
AFTER THIS SONG BECAME A HIT THIS SINGER GOT KILLED IN A ACIDENT TOO BAD HE REALLY WOKEUP THIS GROUP SAM COOK WENT THE SAME WAY
sheddski 3 months ago
Great song.
Greetings from Italy!
GiulioMa 3 months ago
Another brilliant song written by the dynamic Brill Building husband and wife composers, Gerry Goffin and Carole King.
jsbach15 4 months ago
I am from the UK (England) ..i remember that song from the 60's ..fantastic melody , just brings back those days.
ThePeterbarton 4 months ago
i am a roofer , so this song is my anthem , ha ha ha ....
chris185821 4 months ago
they certainly don't make good music like this anymore!
wolgreth 4 months ago
@wolgreth I second .
Juliaflo 3 months ago
Oh, to think that i didn't live in NYC. But i still know what it feels like to want to get to a place of escape. At night when it was hot and things seemed to close in on you, you wanted to getaway. There was a place called Burnett's Mound. We would go there at night and look out over "T" Town and dream. Times were hard back then too. But i am glad that i don't live as a young person today. And i apologize to the young because my generation failed you in some ways. We didn't know how to do- #1
louigi82048 4 months ago
@louigi82048 -hi frepnd i live in a place we call t-town with a hill over looking the town which we also call burnetts mound great place to sit and enjoy the eve. im from topeka kansas areal coincidence had to say howdy hope you lived throgh the 69ties also PEACE
mrwarmth100 4 months ago
@mrwarmth100 Yep, sure did. Hello and thanks for the comment!
jaemel1 4 months ago
Beautifully done....timeless....
centralparocker 4 months ago
amazing song, never gets old
DreadyRagga 4 months ago
This song never gets old...I love it!
gratton4 4 months ago
@gratton4 Would you believe that next year, this song will be 50?
Juliaflo 3 months ago
This song reminds me of my daddy whom I miss. We used to sing this together when I was little. He used to live in a house where from the second floor you could step out onto the roof. For centuries people have gazed upon the same endless sky. Entire cultures have observed their ways for centuries. Stars can be used in navigation. In my opinion Alaska has the best evening sky from a roof because of Aurora Borealis. I will always think of Alaska when I hear this song.
lorimazzola 4 months ago
Any roof will do. I grew up in a very small town with gossips and bigotry. These lyrics spoke to me in my youth.
billhause 5 months ago
On of the best groups of all time.
69ssrszl1 5 months ago
This song just makes me want to walk on a cloud away from all the BS going on in the world right now. Thank God for great music, is all I'm saying. We need more groups like the Drifters just to keep our sanity.
LedWhisky69 5 months ago
same feeling on the roof of my one floor house! so nice song!
traintogirlstown 5 months ago
I would like that I'm on the roof now...
ZagorCRO 5 months ago
reminds,me,of,a,good,friend,that,just,passed,away,..we.use.to.have.pigeons.on.the.roof.nothing.beats.being.on.your.roof.flying.your.pigeons..R.I.P.WALTER.
MrsRoman4eva 5 months ago
this is by far one of my most favourite songs ever. best way to start a day!
rockabellytday 5 months ago
Words in this song you can relate to especially today!
guppj33 6 months ago 2
I wish I was in Philly.
howeuth 6 months ago
I love this song.
howeuth 6 months ago 2
I feel honoured that I have to sing this song ^^
lovingmonkey212 6 months ago
Only one of the greatest songs ever. That's all...
hbailen 6 months ago
I remember when i used to live at NEW YORK 3 years ago. What happy days i had.
snoot2010 6 months ago
An innocent, happy song when it was good to be alive on a summer afternoon in a wonderful world.
Watersnake777 7 months ago
love this song!!! thanks for posting!
lonewolf110966 7 months ago 2
This is such a beautiful song! Luv it!
cilva 7 months ago
This is REAL music! Never mind all your Justin Beibers + Miley Cyrus' out there, they hav a LOT to learn till they hav anything on legends like these guys :))
0diamondangel0 7 months ago
A Top 5 hit for The Drifters in February 1963. It also hit #4 on the Rhythm & Blues charts.
mkl62 7 months ago
@jnctf You echo my feelings exactly.
jaemel1 7 months ago 2
This is the reason why Carole King and Gerry Goffin were the first non-performng songwritters inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
blercari 7 months ago 2
this song is about smoking weed. Listen to the metaphors.
drupetey 7 months ago
Thats a stomper...
mypinis 7 months ago
This may surprise some people, but I am a self-proclaimed HARDCORE RAP fanatic, and even I can't stop listening to this song.
jmarrvin 7 months ago 26
@jmarrvin That's why old timers like me are here-to introduce you to musics roots :~)
jaemel1 7 months ago 41
@jaemel1 I suppose I ought to add a disclaimer. I despise the stuff that passes as "rap" these days. I listen to slightly older stuff, everything from Philadelphia Slick (completely clean and EXCELLENT music, highly recommend it) to Ol' Dirty B@$tard (Wouldn't recommend it to someone who doesn't listen to much rap).
jmarrvin 7 months ago
@jaemel1
Right On Brother
puggti306 5 months ago
@jaemel1 i remeber being 4 going to west Virgina with my grandparents to see great grandma listening to this. i still sing this song and many other 18 years and counting (22 now). and trust me imma have my kids listening to this
thehikoreport 4 months ago
@jmarrvin That's wonderful!!:) Well, like jæmel1 said, that's why we oldtimers are here--and we welcome you with open arms!:)x
sallythewerewolf 1 month ago
@jmarrvin If more hardcore rap fanatics would listen to this kind of music you guys would find so much more material. The only reason that new rap developed is because groups started sampling older tunes. I wish that sampling would make a comeback.
grandeTO9 1 month ago
@jmarrvin Yeah me too! When I used to work at Burger King I was the closing cashier and all the guys would play the rap that was on the jukebox. I would play this song EVERY NIGHT!!! I make music and this song is so special to me that I won't sample it because some songs shouldn't be sampled!
retsej515 3 weeks ago
I have always enjoyed this great classic! thanks for this great video, have a great week regards from Paladon
paladonperry 8 months ago
Carole King's best tune and the best performance of it.
SoEyeSay 8 months ago 2
I really enjoy listening to this song! I initially heard this in a teaser-trailer for James Cameron's "Avatar"
eshardy22 8 months ago
Comment removed
eshardy22 8 months ago
Growing up in the inner city of Chicago, this song meant a lot to me and my friends. Watching the lights of the city and the moon glittering on the lake.
saami051443 8 months ago
Tar Beach!
cheswic 8 months ago
And darling i'll be waiting for you, UP ON THE ROOF! ;-)
Copain1105 8 months ago
is this the original group picture or the one now a days...I remember there is only 1 original person left...Nick
nickyjukebox43 8 months ago
@nickyjukebox43 There were many varations of the group going back to the early 50's. "Up On The Roof" Featured Rudy Lewis on Lead vocal.
jaemel1 8 months ago
@jaemel1 recently in Staten island, on a show there was Linwood Peel he stated he was with the driffters in the 90's for 12 years really great showman good voice too
nickyjukebox43 8 months ago
@nickyjukebox43 COOOOL!
jaemel1 8 months ago
Thank you jaemel Living my early years in The Windy City Chicago The Drifters was played in our Auto Shop a lot. Up On The Roof was a song we played in one of the Martial arts class i attended. Since the class was on the top floor over looking the roofs all over that side of the city. UP ON THE ROOF is a Time Tested GREAT is what Robert Weston Smith told me in Washington D.C. you would know him as WOLFMAN JACK . The United States Air Force even sponsored Wolfman Jack playing The Drifters.
PaulFelixSchott 8 months ago
I am from SC. This is shaggin' music! The shag is our official state dance.
MiniHaHa2nd 8 months ago
Music just doesn't get much better than this!
edwardjames50 8 months ago
Good song the drifters were fantastic.
thegeezerdan 8 months ago
i never grew up in the big city. but i can feel what the drifters are saying. they do a great job of expressing how it feels to be looking over the city and to watch the stars through they're lyrics and notes. i love this song.
ThoughtCriminal4 8 months ago
Chill track.
jsls6053 9 months ago
Simply an all-time and forever will be classic - what a great song. Thank you for this post.
gva0917 11 months ago
Plez! annnd from the 60's.
Yes, I love it!!!!
Talks about finding peace and love.
It's closer than you think. If you just look around you will find you are so loved.
"UP On The Roof" makes me think of a great movie..."there's room enough for two"...guess I'm just a hopeless romantic...lol
cakeandthewine 1 year ago
@cakeandthewine Well, I am too! Thanks for your comment!
jaemel1 1 year ago
Love the song and love your video of the rooftops! Great job!
erniebearspice 1 year ago
great song...But the video has to be the CHI!!! Sorry thats just the way it should be!
Jumpman6623 1 year ago
Lets listen to this great song before Atlantic pulls it again.Reminds me of growing up in NYC,this was our song.
13NJJACK 1 year ago
@2009Denisem thanks 4 the classic request!
THRILLAKILLA187 1 year ago
I was 7 years old when my parents got divorced. It was a confusing time for me. I was too young to understand what happened. My Mom owned maybe a dozen 45 RPM records and this was one of them.
During our weekend visits, she played this song over and over on her new automatic record player.
Love the song...miss my Mom.
GregSr 1 year ago 41
@GregSr thankyou for the great story brother!, im not a religious man but something tells me your mum still enjoys this song with you, be it in another time or dimension, you are the only one will know when shes listening though ;-). your mom definately raised you on the right music my friend :-)
MrVocalist101 5 months ago
Wow - love this one. Some songs just stand the test of time. It was wonderful then and it still holds its own. Thanks for the post. :)
gva0917 1 year ago
come on this is the jam back in the day
TheJenjen78 1 year ago
blissfull
evralea1999 1 year ago
@2009Denisem
yes Brooklyn-my home town! TY for the comment.
jaemel1 1 year ago 2
word up!
ghombrero 1 year ago
great song!
youngbuck720 1 year ago
A native New York ... this song and its memories brings tears to my eyes. In the City that never sleeps, places like rooftops, community pools, and Central Park are a Paradise. I truly enjoyed the chosen city images that accompanies this song. A beautiful presentation.
bricktowngal 1 year ago 6
Thank you!
jaemel1 1 year ago
I'm on the roof..jump???
knowallcity 1 year ago
I got the Drifters and the Coasters mixed up, sorry.
jimbamboozled 1 year ago
"Under the Boardwalk" usually follows this song immediately, on the good radio shows. The Drifters had countless hits and just plain good and fun songs. "Along Came Jones" is a classic.
jimbamboozled 1 year ago
This Is the original hit recording by The Drifters from 1962.
djflyingv 1 year ago
Well< St Louis Mo. Is not Your New York Type city or nothing like that, but We have roof tops here with great veiws of St Louis Spectacular Sky line with the Fame Gateway Arch. I long for a deck on My roof because I have that veiw that very veiw. But it seems at My age it hasn!t happen, so I still listen to this song and think about Newyork because up there there are a lot of decked Out roof tops where the air is fresh and sweet. Thanks for the posting
tonkinshipwreck69 1 year ago
Last night I heard this song and listened to the words. Nice song! Thanks for posting it here.
khamdoun 1 year ago
A great song and a well put together video..
I grew up in Chicago..much like NYC..and can relate to this song..
Didn't Carol King write this song ?
elisa412 1 year ago
yep, she sure did!
jaemel1 1 year ago
@elisa412 From Philly...I Feel The Same.
julesmonroe47 1 year ago
@elisa412 not to quibble, but she wrote the music. The lyrics were written by her songwriting partner and one time husband, Gerry Goffin.
ajack2boys 1 year ago
@ajack2boys thank you ..I did not know that..*smiles*
elisa412 1 year ago
Great upload, thanks.
VinnyKnuckles 1 year ago
My favorite song. Ever.
hbailen 1 year ago
Nice song. the best!!!!
kaede202 1 year ago
My beloved NYC. :)
BookLoverforLife 1 year ago
Growing up in Oakland is better than NY...Your tougher and no snowy winters...
knowallcity 1 year ago
Does anyone know who sang this version?
patfleck 1 year ago
@patfleck rudy lewis
bobbyb826 1 year ago
@patfleck This was Rudy Lewis singing lead on this.
13NJJACK 1 year ago
446 W 55 St. NYC 1957 Sound of the ships moving on The Hudson, Blue skies, billowing white clouds rollin' on by and pigeons circling overhead. Yeah, I guess ya gotta get up those five flights plus one more to be there. I'm thinkin' Gerry Goffin and Carole King got up there from time to time. Later
IM2PersonalProblems 1 year ago
thank you for uploading this! i love this song
leonscottkennedyre4 2 years ago
i started going out on the roof on roasting summer days when i was like 3...i'm 16 now and it's one of those few things that gives me the same thrill as when i was a little carefree boy :)
insanepoet93 2 years ago