The Manhattan Transfer - Topsy Lyrics

(Eddie Durham & Edgar Battle, Additional Lyric by Tim Hauser)

[Lyrics are based upon the original Count Basie recording]

[Janis' solo:]
Brothers n' sisters listen while I tell you about the strangest thing
Somethin' you might have heard before, like a bell's familiar ring

Topsy-thought he had it all covered, Yes sir!
Turvy, he never really had a mind to hear
What Mr. Topsy had to say

It's such a scene
Fightin' all the time
They're gettin' mean
All the sparks're flyin'
Is this a dream?
Makes you wanna cry
I'm gonna scream
What's the point?
I wonder why.

Janis' solo continued:
My, my, my, my, my people you should know -
These cats'll never get no relief
Turvy, and sweet - Top-sy - it's so pulverizin', paralyzin';
Doncha know?
(YES YES)

[Tim's solo:]
Y' know I really don't get it
That's the way it always seems to be-dread it
Everytime I come around these cats are always
Scrappin'
Yappin' all about some little fluffy piece of ding a lingin'
Stain around the elbow
A bit of this, a bit of that - you bet your dollar that the
Joint's a hellzapoppin'
Man alive!
Topsy's in a fit
Turvy's in a snit
Ain't there anyone here who can put out the fire?

This is the most exasperatin' situation tell ya
I ain't-never seen the likes of this one
And I have seen a bunch that'll really make y' think
About it
Wait a minute, hold your horses, here they comin' now

Oh Mr. Topsy you sure bring me down
Better believe you're spittin' the cotton-you are spittin' the cotton now
Ah!
And Mr. Turvy your head's no where bound
It's somethin' I would rather do without
Ha!

[Piano Solo]

Ain't you had enough of Topsy Turvy
I've had more than I can handle n' it's tested my patience now
Sick and tired of this crazy scene
I'm a little more than sick n' tired, oh, I'm really wired
There's another way to go about this brother
Won'tcha hear me now, got'ta dig what I'm 'bout to tell ya
Loving one another's what I mean
-Boy love'll really straighten y' out - If you'll only check it out

It's such a scene
Fightin's such a crime
Now, they're gettin' mean
Bound t' lose their mind
Man, is this a dream?
Wastin' so much time
Help! I'm gonna scream
Wastin' yours
And wastin' mine

Topsy Turvey's World is Topsy Turvy
A little lovin' might undo it
Just because they can't meet in between

Woe, (oh) Woe (no) Woe (oh) Woe (no) Woe
Woe, Woe, Woe, Woe, Woe
Woe, (oh no) Woe (oh no) Woe (oh no) Woe (oh no)
Woe
Top-sy Tur-vy Top-sy Tur-vy Oooooooh

What a pity.