In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Look out!
You ready for this?
Who's that comin' down the thoroughfare
The sunshine flashin' on his ring
Bowin' left and right and here and there
That's Chester, the trombone king
He gets his shirts straight from Paris
Cigarettes from the Nile
He tallks like a 'eyebrow', but he plays Chicago style
He gets his shoes made in London
And they're real crocodile
But he plays trombone...Chicago style
And he sometimes plays sweet
Hup-toodle-oodle-oodle-dee-ooo
But sweet or hot, he's always got
That real gut-bucket beat
He's got a neat Latin moustache
And the girls love his smile
But he plays trombone...Chicago style
A trombone made in Newark
Played in Chicago style
Chicago style
Chicago style
He gets his neckties from Naples
And his socks from Argyle
Speaks Oxford English, but he plays Chicago style
Wears a stickpin from Rio, are you listenin'
You can see it for a mile
But he plays trombone...Chicago style
And he sometimes plays sweet
Uncle Jake's weary blues
But sweet or hot, he's always got
That real gut-bucket beat
He likes New York for the Opera
And gets two on the aisle
But he plays trombone...Chicago style
A trombone made in Newark
Played in Chicago style
Yes sir
Hey-hey
A trombone played Chicago style
You ready for this?
Who's that comin' down the thoroughfare
The sunshine flashin' on his ring
Bowin' left and right and here and there
That's Chester, the trombone king
He gets his shirts straight from Paris
Cigarettes from the Nile
He tallks like a 'eyebrow', but he plays Chicago style
He gets his shoes made in London
And they're real crocodile
But he plays trombone...Chicago style
And he sometimes plays sweet
Hup-toodle-oodle-oodle-dee-ooo
But sweet or hot, he's always got
That real gut-bucket beat
He's got a neat Latin moustache
And the girls love his smile
But he plays trombone...Chicago style
A trombone made in Newark
Played in Chicago style
Chicago style
Chicago style
He gets his neckties from Naples
And his socks from Argyle
Speaks Oxford English, but he plays Chicago style
Wears a stickpin from Rio, are you listenin'
You can see it for a mile
But he plays trombone...Chicago style
And he sometimes plays sweet
Uncle Jake's weary blues
But sweet or hot, he's always got
That real gut-bucket beat
He likes New York for the Opera
And gets two on the aisle
But he plays trombone...Chicago style
A trombone made in Newark
Played in Chicago style
Yes sir
Hey-hey
A trombone played Chicago style
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Chicago Style Lyrics as written by Van Heusen Burke
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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