Friday, March 28, 2008

The Jeffersons




Lyrics
Recorded in 1975 By Ja'net DuBois (composer) and Jeff Barry




Well we're movin on up, To the east side.
To a deluxe apartment in the sky.
Movin on up
To the east side.
We finally got a piece of the pie.

Fish don't fry in the kitchen;
Beans don't burn on the grill.
Took a whole lotta tryin'
Just to get up that hill.
Now we're up in teh big leagues
Gettin' our turn at bat.
As long as we live, it's you and me baby
There ain't nothin wrong with that.

Well we're movin on up,
To the east side.
To a deluxe apartment in the sky.
Movin on up
To the east side.
We finally got a piece of the pie.


Hello Everyone---

I know that I have been gone for awhile. Life can get busy. I am preparing myself for the production of Someone To Love Me a Christian Inspirational drama I have written (inspired by God). Production is slated for May 10th, 2008 @ 6:00pm.

So, you can image the frenzy state I am in. I do love it and would not trade it for all the chocolate in the world. So between the drama and writing my second novel; I got lost in space. But I am back now. I missed you guys. LOL.

When, I am coming down from a high, I find a relaxant to soothe me. I have recently purchased the Jeffersons complete third season on DVD. Strangely enough, it relaxes me. I pop it in as I prepare for sleep.

George Jefferson is the man! I watch the dynamics of their relationship. It takes a woman like Weezy to handle his alpha male personality. The whole cast of the Jeffersons are what made that show what is was. It was a wonderful recipe.

I love the theme song to the Jeffersons. I was familiar with Ja'net Dubois; as she played Wilona on the sitcom Good Times. I was strangely perked by the mystery man Jeff Berry. He shared credit for song with Ms. Dubois for "Movin'On Up".

I donned my investigator mien and went in search of information on Mr. Jeff Berry. Below is my findings. If interested for further reading about Mr. Berry refer to Wikipedia.

Jeff Barry (born April 3, 1938) is an American pop music songwriter, singer, and record producer.Barry was born Joel Adelberg in Brooklyn, New York. His parents divorced when he was seven, and his mother moved him and his sister to Plainfield, New Jersey, where they resided for several years before returning to New York.In 1971 Barry moved from New York to California, where he had a production and administration deal with A&M Records for several years. Between 1972 and 1975, he produced hit singles for Nino Tempo and April Stevens (together and separately) and the a cappella vocal group The Persuasions. During subsequent years he shifted his focus to television (writing the theme songs for One Day at a Time, The Jeffersons, and Family Ties) and movies (the score for 1980's The Idolmaker), although he continued his work in the pop music field. In 1974, "I Honestly Love You," written by Barry with Peter Allen, became a #1 hit for singer Olivia Newton-John; and, in 1984, Jeffrey Osborne and Joyce Kennedy hit the Top 40 with another Barry composition, "The Last Time I Made Love," written with Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil.

Jeff Berry is still a mystery to me; as I could not locate a photo, to go along with his name. I won't give up my investigation; my good friends.
Here is where I enlist your help. Anyone, who can find a picture of this mysterious man, thus ending my angst, would certainly be my saving grace. End me from my misery! Oh, did I mention, to you that when I read mystery novels, I read the back first?
Happy searching,
Vanessa

2 comments:

julie713 said...

Vanessa,

You'll find many photos of Jeff Barry & his writing partner Ellie Greenwich - Just google "Jeff barry & Images"
Here is one to begin - copy & paste the following in your google search field.
http://www.history-of-rock.com/jeff_barry_and_ellie_greenwich.htm

My husband is Jerry Lawson - lead singer of The Persuasions for 40 years. Sadly Jeff made some poor decisions in regard to putting a band behind The Persuasions. The fans hated it & of course it was not God's plan for them. Thankfully the group respected the fan's enough to stick with a cappella.

Jerry left the Persuasions after 40 years & 20 albums. He has a new a cappella CD that you might enjoy. We hope you'll visit & listen & share: www.jerrylawson.biz

In Harmony,
Julie Lawson
mail@jerrylawson.biz

vanessa richardson said...

Julie--

Thank you so very much!!!!!

~Vanessa