What was Duke Ellington’s orchestra’s signature train-themed composition?

Duke Ellington’s orchestra’s signature train-themed composition was “Take the ‘A’ Train.”

Billy Strayhorn composed the music in 1939, and Joya Sherrill later wrote lyrics for the song. The title refers to New York City’s A subway line, which ran through Harlem and connected important neighborhoods in the city.

The Ellington orchestra made the piece famous after adopting it as its opening theme in 1941. Its bright melody, driving swing, and polished arrangement became one of the clearest musical signatures of the band and of the Harlem-centered jazz world.

A common mix-up is crediting Ellington as the sole composer. Ellington’s orchestra made the song iconic, but Strayhorn wrote the original melody. The distinction matters because Strayhorn was a major creative partner whose arrangements and compositions were central to the orchestra’s sound.