The Manhattan Transfer

[Lyrics are based upon the original Count Basie recording]
[Janis' solo:]
Brothers n' sisters listen while I tell you about the strangest thing
Somethin' you might have heard before, like a bell's familiar ring
Topsy-thought he had it all covered, Yes sir!
Turvy, he never really had a mind to hear
What Mr. Topsy had to say
It's such a scene
Fightin' all the time
They're gettin' mean
All the sparks're flyin'
Is this a dream?
Makes you wanna cry
I'm gonna scream
What's the point?
I wonder why.
Janis' solo continued:
My, my, my, my, my people you should know -
These cats'll never get no relief
Turvy, and sweet - Top-sy - it's so pulverizin', paralyzin';
Doncha know?
(YES YES)
[Tim's solo:]
Y' know I really don't get it
That's the way it always seems to be-dread it
Everytime I come around these cats are always
Scrappin'
Yappin' all about some little fluffy piece of ding a lingin'
Stain around the elbow
A bit of this, a bit of that - you bet your dollar that the
Joint's a hellzapoppin'
Man alive!
Topsy's in a fit
Turvy's in a snit
Ain't there anyone here who can put out the fire?
This is the most exasperatin' situation tell ya
I ain't-never seen the likes of this one
And I have seen a bunch that'll really make y' think