Up the Ladder to the Roof

Album: Right On (1970)
Charted: 6 10
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  • Come with me
    And we shall run across the sky
    And illuminate the night
    Oh, oh, oh, I will try and guide you
    To better times and brighter days
    Don't be afraid

    Go up the ladder to the roof
    Where we can see heaven much better
    Go up the ladder to the roof
    Where we can be (where we can be, where we can be)
    Closer to heaven (to heaven, stay)

    Stay with me
    And we shall let expressions sing
    (Please bring our virtues with us)
    Can't you hear 'em ringing? (Ringing)
    Oh-oh-oh
    Memories of yesterdays
    Yesterday's broken dreams
    Don't you know they'll all fade away
    If you'll come

    Up the ladder to the roof
    Where we can see heaven much better
    Come up the ladder to the roof
    Where we can be (where we can be)
    Oh, closer to heaven

    We'll laugh and I'll tell you the story of love
    How it is, and the happiness in it baby
    We'll combine our thoughts
    And together we'll travel the roads
    To the fountain of loveliness

    I will never, ever, ever leave you
    Leave you alone to wonder
    As we go on our love, it will grow (it will grow)
    Much stronger stronger

    Don't you wanna go
    Up the ladder to the roof
    Where we can see heaven much better
    Go up the ladder to the roof
    Where we can be closer to heaven

    Ah, up the (up the)
    Ooh-ooh, up the (up the)
    Oh, come on and walk (walk)
    Come on and talk (talk)
    Come and sing about love and understanding
    Ooh-ooh-ooh
    Up the ladder to the roof
    Ooh-ooh-ooh
    See heaven much better Writer/s: Frank Edward Wilson, Vincent Dimirco
    Publisher: BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 10

  • Rita from Seattle, WaYour wrap-up description of the post-Ross Supremes unfairly leaves a lot to be desired. "Stoned Love" might have been the group's last Top Ten Billboard Pop Chart single, but they went on to have several other Billboard Top 40 hits, including a number of Top Twenty ones, after Ross left and up to a year before the group's official 1977 disbandment that you correctly cite: "Everybody's Got The Right To Love," "River Deep - Mountain High" (with The Four Tops), "Nathan Jones, "Floy Joy," and "I'm Gonna Let My Heart Do The Walking," not to mention other less chart-worthy but still good and actual releases such as "Your Wonderful, Sweet Sweet Love, "Bad Weather," and "You Gotta Have Love In Your Heart" (also with The Tops). The 1970s Supremes, especially now in the context of recently passed original member Mary Wilson more than ever, have always deserved better recognition and credit than they've gotten.
  • Paul Osman from Liverpool, England.On some versions of this song, the sound of a cat's "miaow"can be heard 40 seconds into the song.This was caused by a "wah" pedal distorting the guitar sound. So sadly not a cat!
  • AnonymousGreat song, that’s the problem with lead vocals given to one person!She was a much better singer ! And the do wop girls, were now Supremes!
  • Floy Joy from The United StatesIt was a good song but the critics assess it as terriffic music but uninspiring singing. The background is background and only die-hard Supremes' fans coud distingusied Mary and Cindy. The music of the "New Supremes" was quite, compliments of Frank WIlson, particularly, on "New Ways But Love Stays." The recod-buying public never took to the Supremems sans Diana Ross and so, by the very end of 1972 when "I Guess I'll Miss The Man" sung beautifully by Jean, the Supremes were abviously finished. They just had nothing to sing about anymore.
  • Jennifur Sun from RamonaGreat tune, she outsings Diana in my mind. Loved those bongo drums.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyAddition to the second post below:
    The 'new' Supremes did chart twelve times on the Top 100 between 1970 and 1976; and they also charted two more times in duets with the Four Tops; "River Deep - Mountain High" {at #14} and "You Gotta Have Love In Your Heart" {at #55}, both charted in 1971...
    And on the day the 'new' Supremes appeared on the 'Sullivan' show, the old Supremes with Diana Ross were still on the Top 100, "Someday We'll Be Together" was at position #29.
  • Bronxgirl from NyDiMirco was an Italian-American who wrote the music and lyrics.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn February 15, 1970, the Supremes performed "Up the Latter to the Roof" on the CBS-TV program 'The Ed Sullivan Show'...
    Two weeks later on March 1st it entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #57; and on April 12th it peaked #10 (for 1 week) and spent 11 weeks on the Top 100...
    It reached #5 on Billboard's R&B Singles chart...
    The 'new' Supremes had eleven more records make the Top 100; with "Stoned Love" being their biggest hit, it reached #7 (for 2 weeks) on December 13th, 1970.
  • Camille from Toronto, OhWhat a terrific sound. This song is at the same time soft and subtle yet strong. I don't agree with Songfacts assessment that "the narrator invites her man to be hers forever so that even after they die, their spirits will climb the ladder that leads to the roof of heaven". Nothing about death in this song! The woman simply wants to be with her man, to escape from it all and have some alone time with him. She wants her surroundings to mirror her feelings, which is that being with each other and in love is like being as close to heaven as you can get. I agree, Anthony, about it never being on the radio.....
  • Anthony from Union Point, GaThis is my favorite song the Supremes did. Too bad I never hear it on the radio.
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