[Verse 1]
1899, born Duke Ellington made what he called “American music”
The man was inspired after hearing Harvey Brooks so he decided to choose it
Then came the one and only Louis Armstrong
Born to be a legend in Louisiana
Destined to share how wonderful the world was
With the trumpet that he loved
[Verse 2]
Now here comes Bessie Smith
Looking for dreams, trying to get rich
Working in speakeasies until her voice caught the ears of the nation
She had the Downhearted Blues
George Gershwin, playing the piano
So loud, it's like he himself, the soprano
Influenced the 20s, he was covered all over
Was the man of the time, was the Jazz soldier
[Hook]
Yeah, it's the Jazz Age
To get us on our feet
To get our minds off the war
And a way to cheat (2x)
[Verse 3]
Jazz, our drums do shuffle
To make sure the booze ain't muffled
Go party, get down
And enjoy that sound
Started off as a way to cope
Now it's making money, it's a show
So many singers, inspired by Cole
Still around today, singing their soul
[Verse 4]
And that Jazz lives on
In most of today's songs
Most definitely in R&B
And Etta James and Armstrong
Paul Whiteman, Whispering in New York City
Till now, Sean Combs that's AKA Diddy
[Hook]
Yeah, it's the Jazz Age
To get us on our feet
To get our minds off the war
And a way to cheat (2x)