oN broadway - drifters

On Broadway
Written by: Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller
Originally written by: Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil
Adapted from: On Broadway written by Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil
Comments: Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil participated in the adaptation of their original work with Leiber and Stoller. Mann and Weil had pitched it to Leiber and Stoller for performance by The Drifters. The more experienced songwriting pair were interested in the song if certain changes were made and told Mann and Weil they could all rewrite it together or Mann and Weil could leave, rework it and bring it back. Mann and Weil were thrilled to work with Leiber and Stoller and opted to rewrite it with them.


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Lyrics:
They say the neon lights are bright on Broadway
(On Broadway)
They say there's always magic in the air
(On Broadway)
But when you're walking down the street
And you ain't had enough to eat
The glitter rubs right off, and you're nowhere
(On Broadway)

They say the girls are something else, on Broadway
(On Broadway)
But looking at them just gives me the blues
(On Broadway)
But how're ya gonna make some time
When all you got is one thin dime?
And one thin dime won't even shine your shoes
(On Broadway)

They say that I won't last too long on Broadway
(On Broadway)
I'll catch a greyhound bus for home, they all say
(On Broadway)
But oh, yeah they're wrong, I know they are
'Cause I can play this here guitar
And I won't quit till I'm a star on Broadway
(On Broadway)

But oh, yeah they're wrong, I know they are
'Cause I can play this here guitar
And I won't quit till I'm a star on Broadway
(On Broadway)
On Broadway
(On Broadway)
I'm gonna make it, yeah
(On Broadway)
I'll be a big, big, big man
(On Broadway)
I'll have my name in lights
(On Broadway)
Everybody, everybody's gonna know me, yeah
(On Broadway)
Ohh, up and down Broadway
(On Broadway)
Ohh

Singers:
On Broadway written by Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil
1. The Crystals August 1962 2. The Cookies 1963

On Broadway written by Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller
1. The Drifters (billboard hot 100) February 1963 2. Bobby Darin July 1963 3. The Jazz Crusaders 1963 4. The Challengers 1963 5. Chubby Checker with Sy Oliver and His Orchestra 1963 6. Clyde McPhatter April 1964 7. The Dave Clark Five May 1964 8. The Viscounts December 1964 9. Freddie Scott 1964 10. Nancy Wilson 1964 11. Kai Winding 1965 12. Nancy Sinatra August 1966 13. King Curtis October 1966 14. Lou Rawls 1966 15. Blossom Dearie 1966 16. Freda Payne 1966 17. Willis Jackson 1966 18. Randy Rayment Quintet 1967 19. Reuben Wilson 1968 20. The Lettermen August 1969 21. The Vogues 1969 22. Mongo Santamaría 1970 23. Livingston Taylor October 1971 24. Barry Mann 1971 25. The Coasters 1973 26. Eric Carmen 1975 27. Buddy Rich 1975 28. Long John Baldry July 8, 1977 29. George Benson 1978 30. Fausto Papetti 1980 31. Gary Numan April 1981 32. Neil Young October 2, 1989 33. Finn Nørbygaard & Jette Torp 1995 34. George Benson and Clifford and the Rhythm Rats 1995 35. Henry Kaiser, Steve Kimock, Harvey Mandel, Freddie Roulette 1996 36. Stacy Sullivan 1997 37. Taylor Hicks 1997 38. House Cats November 16, 1999 39. Jimmy Ponder, John Hicks, Don Braden, Dwayne Dolphin, Cecil Brooks III April 11, 2000 40. Johnny Mathis 2000 41. Leo Night & The Moonlighters February 5, 2002 42. Barbie Anaka with David Loy March 4, 2003 43. Frankie Valli & Jersey Boys October 2, 2007 44. James Taylor September 12, 2008 45. Daniele Magro May 15, 2009 46. The Tierney Sutton Band September 6, 2011 47. Patrick Riguelle & John Terra September 12, 2011 48. Mark Winkler 2011 49. The Sweet February 25, 2012 50. Kurt Elling September 25, 2012

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