Uptown Top Ranking
Althea & Donna
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See me in me heels and ting Dem check sey we hip and ting True them no know and ting We have them going and ting Nah pop no style, a strictly roots Nah pop no style, a strictly roots See me pon the road I hear you call out to me True you see mi inna pants and ting See mi in a 'alter back Sey mi gi' you heart attack Gimme likkle bass, make me wine up me waist Uptown Top Ranking See mi in mi Benz and ting Drivin' through Constant Spring Them check sey me come from cosmo spring But a true dem no know and ting Dem no know sey we top ranking Uptown Top Ranking Shoulda see me and the ranking dread Check how we jamming and ting Love is all I bring inna me khaki suit and ting Nah pop no style, a strictly roots Nah pop no style, a strictly roots Watch how we chuck it and ting Inna we khaki suit and ting Love is all I bring inna me khaki suit and ting Nah pop no style, a strictly roots Nah pop no style, a strictly roots Love inna you heart dis a bawl out fe me When you see me inna pants and ting See me inna 'alter back Sey me gi' you heart attack Gimme likkle bass, make me wine up me waist Uptown Top Ranking See mi pon the road and hear you call out to me True you see me in me pants and ting See me inna 'alter back Sey me gi' you heart attack Gimme likkle bass, make me wine up me waist Gimme likkle bass, make me wine up me waist Love is all I bring inna me khaki suit and ting Nah pop no style, a strictly roots Nah pop no style, a strictly roots You shoulda see me and the ranking dread, Check how we jamming and ting Love is all I bring inna me khaki suit and ting Nah pop no style, a strictly roots
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Written by: ALTHEA FORREST, DONNA MARIE REID, Errol Thompson
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CARLIN AMERICA INC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
24 facts about this song
Artist BackgroundAlthea Forrest and Donna Reid who featured as "Althea & Donna" were Jamaican reggae vocalists who gained popularity in the 1970s. Their producer, Joe Gibbs, was a pioneering reggae producer also based in Jamaica.
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Chart-Topping SuccessThe song "Uptown Top Ranking" unexpectedly became a UK No. 1 hit in 1978.
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Youth AchievementsThe powerful duo were teenagers when they recorded “Uptown Top Ranking” which led them to stardom. Donna was only 15 and Althea 17 during the time of release.
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LyricsThe song includes Jamaican patois in its lyrics, adding to its authentic reggae sound and honoring the Jamaican roots of the artists.
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Music Composition"Uptown Top Ranking" was composed over the "I'm Still in Love" rhythm from the duo's famous reggae artist colleague, Alton Ellis.
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Hit CompilationThe song was originally released as a 12" vinyl single and was later included in the famous Joe Gibbs 12" Reggae Discomix Showcase vol. 1.
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Resurgence of PopularityThe song has had resurgences of popularity, for example in the 1980s when it was featured on the TV Programme 'The New Statesman', and in 2001 when it was covered by singer Lily Allen.
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One hit WondersDespite their huge success with "Uptown Top Ranking", Althea & Donna never managed to replicate this level of success with any of their later songs, marking them as one-hit wonders.
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RecognitionThe song was ranked number 54 on NME's list of "The 100 Best Songs Of The 1970s" in 2016.
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Sampled“Uptown Top Ranking” has been sampled in other foreign music genres such as hip hop, most notably by artistes such as British Rapper, Lady Leshurr in her popular song "Queen's Speech Ep. 3".
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Cover VersionsOver the years, other artists have covered "Uptown Top Ranking", including the British singer Lily Allen and Naomi Campbell.
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Meaning Behind the Song"Uptown Top Ranking" is about the aspirations and lifestyle of the Jamaican youth living in the uptown part of Kingston where the upper-class society resides. It remains a timeless piece largely for its unflinching social commentary.
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Singer DuoThe song "Uptown Top Ranking" was performed by Althea Forrest and Donna Reid, a Jamaican reggae duo who were known by their stage name, Althea & Donna.
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Co-writer and ProducerRenowned reggae producer Joe Gibbs co-wrote "Uptown Top Ranking" and also produced the track.
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Chart SuccessAmazingly, Althea & Donna were only 17 and 18 years old when they recorded the song. Despite their age, the track peaked at No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart in February 1978.
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Unexpected SuccessInterestingly, the song's success was unplanned. After John Peel played it on BBC Radio 1 by happenstance, the song started to gain traction, eventually rocketing to the top of the charts.
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LyricsThe lyrics of "Uptown Top Ranking" are in Jamaican Patois and discuss the trendsetting, fashion-conscious lifestyle of the uptown Jamaican youth of the 1970s.
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One-hit WondersAlthea & Donna are often categorized as 'one-hit wonders' as they were unable to follow up the success of "Uptown Top Ranking" with any other significant hits.
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Music Genre"Uptown Top Ranking" is classified as a Reggae song, a music genre originated from Jamaica that combines elements of mento, calypso, jazz, and rhythm and blues.
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SamplingThe rhythm of "Uptown Top Ranking" was borrowed from an earlier song, "I'm Still In Love", by Alton Ellis, indicating the common practice of rhythm borrowing in reggae music.
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Cover VersionsSeveral artists, including Black Box Recorder and Nadine Sutherland, have covered the song over the years, showing its lasting impact in music history.
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50 Greatest One-Hit WondersIn 2002, "Uptown Top Ranking" was ranked No. 54 in the "50 Greatest One-Hit Wonders" list by British television network Channel 4.
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Classic Pop MusicThe song is considered a classic piece of pop music from the 1970s and continues to be played on oldies and classic hits radio stations worldwide.
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Originally Released"Uptown Top Ranking" was originally released in 1977 on the Lightning Records label.
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Citation
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"Uptown Top Ranking Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 26 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/33837918/Althea+%26+Donna/Uptown+Top+Ranking>.
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