Billy Strayhorn wrote the original melody of “Take the ’A’ Train,” the signature tune associated with Duke Ellington’s orchestra. Strayhorn composed it in 1939 after Ellington gave him directions for reaching his home by subway.
The title refers to New York City’s A train, which ran through Harlem and connected Manhattan with Brooklyn. Strayhorn shaped the song in a swing style, and Ellington’s orchestra first recorded it in 1941. The recording featured Joya Sherrill as vocalist on a later well-known version.
The song is often credited to Duke Ellington because his orchestra made it famous and because he was its leader. Ellington, however, did not write the melody. Strayhorn served as Ellington’s close collaborator, arranger, and composer for decades, contributing many important works while often working behind the scenes.