here's to the band

hear that music playing

listen to what it's saying

throughout the years i've made a lot of friends

many became famous

most of them go nameless

but i dedicate this song to all of them

i've sung with the best and i've had it all

i've gone from neighborhood saloons to carnegie hall

i've been down and out and i've been in demand

but i wouldn't have made it without them

here's to the band!

those magical notes

those musical pearls

i've sung with all the counts

the dukes

the kings

and the earls

and the experience

i have to say

was grand

but i wouldn't have made it without them

here's to the band!

strings soaring

horns boring

drums pounding in my ear

to start at the ground and reach for the top

to have such a wonderful career

i just gotta stop

stop and turn around to thank everyone that sits on the stand

`cause i wouldn't have made it without them

here's to the band!

here's to those ladies and the gentlemen

here's to the af of m

i wouldn't have made it without them

here's to the band!

here's to the band!