Take the 'A' Train written by Billy Strayhorn in 1939 became the signature tune for Duke Ellington and his orchestra. Strayhorn wrote lyrics, but the Delta Rhythm Boys composed the first lyrics to be recorded. Joya Sherrill wrote the lyrics that would be used to Ellington.
The most famous recording of it by Ellington and his orchestra took place on February 15, 1941. Ellington performed it in the 1943 movie Reveille with Beverly with Betty Roche singing.
National Public Radio included Take the 'A' Train in the NPR 100, a list of the one hundred most important American musical works of the 20th century.
