Kansas City Song
Everyone Knows The Words To Kansas City
"Kansas City," a rhythm and blues song written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, was first performed in 1952 by Little Willie Littlefield at the Orchid Room at 12th and Vine Streets. It wasn't until 7 years later that Wilbert Harrison turned the song into a hit, becoming by far his most famous track.
The original title was "K.C. Lovin'."
~songfacts.com
The Leiber and Stoller version of "Kansas City" has been covered by everyone.
"Kansas City" song lyrics
"I'm going to Kansas City.
Kansas City, here I come.
I'm going to Kansas City.
Kansas City, here I come.
They've got crazy little women there
And I'm going to get me one.
I'm going to be standing on the corner--Twelfth Street and Vine.
I'm going to be standing on the corner--Twelfth Street and Vine.
With my Kansas City baby
and a bottle of Kansas City wine.
Well, I might take a train,
I might take a plane,
But if I have to walk I'm going just the same--
Going to Kansas City.
Kansas City, here I come.
They've got crazy little women there
And I'm going to get me one."
Wilbert Harrison's 1959 version of "Kansas City" was one of the top selling records of 1959.
Kansas City Song - By Wilbert Harrison
The Beatles were heavily influenced by Little Richard and they began performing a medley of “Kansas City" and "Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey” during their Hamburg days, and recorded it in 1964. ~NPR
The Beatles Perform Kansas City - Live performance 1964
The Beatles revived the Kansas City/Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey! medley when their first American tour arrived at the Municipal Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri on 17 September 1964. ~beatlesbible
Kansas City/Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey!
- Kansas City/Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey!
Article on The Beatles' song Kansas City/Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey!, on The Beatles Bible website.
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- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - Wikipedia
In 2001, Harrison's "Kansas City" received a Grammy Hall of Fame Award and it is included on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's list of the "500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll."
Fun Facts
On May 11th, 1959, Harrison’s version of "Kansas City" reached #1 on the R&B chart and stayed there for seven consecutive weeks.
In 2005, Kansas City adopted "Kansas City" as its official song.
Due to redevelopment, the "12th Street and Vine" intersection mentioned in the song no longer exists.
