Lyrics
Snapping Fingers
Expressing a lively, energetic atmosphere with the sound of snapping fingers.
Smooth Boppy Piano
Describing the musical accompaniment as a smooth and lively piano.
Riff: This turf is small but it's all we got, huh?
Introducing a riff expressing the sentiment that their turf may be small but it's all they have.
I want to hold it like we always held it, with skin!
Expressing a desire to maintain their identity and unity with physical contact, using the metaphor of holding their turf "with skin."
But if they say blades, I say blades but if they say guns, I say guns. I say I want the Jets to be
Discussing the willingness to use either blades or guns in their rivalry, emphasizing the Jets' determination to be the number one gang.
the number one! To sail! To hold the sky!
Expressing aspirations to soar high and dominate, holding the sky metaphorically.
Baby John: Rev us up!
Baby John urging excitement and readiness.
Gee-Tar: Voom-va-voom!
Various members making energetic, onomatopoeic sounds to pump up the group.
Big Deal: Cha-chung!
-Action: Wacko-jacko!
-A-Rab: Digga-digga-dig-dumb!
-Riff: Now, protocality calls for a war council between us and the Sharks to set the whole thing
Riff discussing the need for a war council with the Sharks and the importance of a lieutenant for it.
up. So I will personally give the bad news to Bernardo. Aganst the Sharks, we need every man we
-got we need a lieutenant for the war council.
-Action: That's me.
Action and Riff suggesting Tony's involvement in the war council.
Riff: That's Tony.
-Action: Who needs Tony?
Action questioning the need for Tony.
Riff: We need Tony! He has a reputation bigger than the whole west side.
Riff emphasizing Tony's significance and reputation.
Action: Tony don't belong no more.
Action claiming Tony doesn't belong anymore.
Riff: Cut it, Action. Tony and I started the Jets.
Riff and others recounting Tony's contributions and loyalty to the Jets.
A-Rab: What about the day we clobbered the Emeralds?
-Big Deal: Which we couldn't have done without Tony.
-Baby John: He saved my ever-lovin' neck!
-Riff: Yeah, he's come through for us and he always
-will.
-Riff: When you're a Jet, you're a Jet all the way
Riff expressing the lifelong commitment and camaraderie of being a Jet.
from your first cigarette to your last dyin' day.
-When you're a Jet, let 'em do what they can. You
-got brothers around, you're a family man! You're
-never alone, you're never disconnected! You're
-home with your own when company's expected, you're
-well protected! Then you are set with a capital
-J, which you'll never forget till the cart you away. When you're a Jet, you stay a Jet!
-Riff: I know Tony like I know me and I guarantee
Riff asserting Tony's commitment to the Jets.
you can count him in.
-Action: In, out, let's get crackin'.
Action urging action and decisiveness.
A-Rab: Where you gonna find Bernardo?
Discussion about finding and confronting Bernardo, leader of the Sharks.
Baby John: It ain't safe to go into PR territory.
-Riff: He'll be at the dance at the gym tonight.
-A-Rab: Yeah, but the gym's neutral territory.
Concern about the gym being neutral territory.
Riff(innocently): A-Rab, I'm gonna make nice with
Riff suggesting a challenge to Bernardo at the dance.
him! I'm only gonna challenge him.
-A-Rab: Great, Daddy-o!
A-Rab expressing enthusiasm for the plan.
Riff: So everybody dress up sweet and sharp and
Riff instructing everyone to dress well and meet at the dance.
meet Tony and me at the dance at ten. And walk tall!
-A-Rab: We always walk tall!
Expressions of confidence and pride in being Jets.
Baby John: We're Jets!
-Action: The greatest!
Action declaring the Jets as the greatest.
Drums
Introduction of drums, likely indicating an upcoming intense scene or action.
Snowboy: When you're a Jet, you're the top cat in
Various members expressing the pride and confidence of being a Jet.
town, you're the gold medal kid with the heavyweight crown!
-Diesel: When you're a Jet, you're the swingin'est
-thing. Little boy, you're a man, little man, you're a king!
-Jets: The Jets are in gear. Our cylinders are clickin'. The Sharks'll stear clear
Highlighting the Jets' readiness and the derogatory view of the Sharks.
'cause every Puerto Rican's a lousy chicken! Here
-come the Jets like a bat out of hell. Someone gets in our way, someone don't feel so well. Here
Expressing the aggressive and confident approach of the Jets against any opposition.
come the Jets little world, step aside! Better go
-underground, better run, better hide. We're drawin' the line, so keep your noses hidden! We're hangin' a sign, says "Visitors Forbidden" and we ain't kiddin'! Here come the Jets, Yeah!
-An' we're gonna beat every last buggin' gang on
Asserting the Jets' determination to defeat every rival gang on the street.
the whole buggin' street! on the whole buggin' ever lovin' street!
-Gee-Tar: Yeah!
Gee-Tar expressing agreement and enthusiasm.
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