Put your hands on the phone-a
Dial the number
See that you're free to be carrying on-a
When you gonna?
We'll succumb
but let the rhythm take control and move along
alright

It's a thing that you sing when you don't want to ring
one of the people that you see downtown
who's the real clown?
you want to go to the show, although it's a slow-mo...

I used to dance with my daddy, yeah?!

Put your hands on the phone-a
Dial the number
See that you're free to be carrying on-a
Race with the pace
of the people these days
That's a bass, start a waste
It's okay, it's all night!

It's a thing that you sing when you don't want to ring
one of the people that you see downtown
who's the real clown?
you want to go to the show, although it's a slow-mo...

I used to dance with my daddy, yeah?!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Datarock's "I Used to Dance With My Daddy" evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing for the past. The first few lines suggest a desire to connect with someone ("Put your hands on the phone-a, Dial the number"), but also an awareness of the need for independence ("See that you're free to be carrying on-a"). The repetition of "When you gonna?" suggests impatience or anticipation for something to happen.

The next few lines encourage surrender to the rhythm and letting go ("We'll succumb, but let the rhythm take control and move along alright"). The lines "It's a thing that you sing when you don't want to ring, one of the people that you see downtown, who's the real clown?" suggest a sense of disconnect or confusion in the world around them. The desire to go to a slow-moving show indicates a willingness to embrace something familiar and comfortable from the past, perhaps reflecting the sentiment of the chorus - "I used to dance with my daddy, yeah?!"

The final lines further emphasize a desire to let go and embrace the moment ("Race with the pace of the people these days, That's a bass start a waste, It's okay, it's all night!"). Throughout the song, there is a sense of searching and belonging, ultimately finding comfort and familiarity in the memories of dancing with a loved one.

Line by Line Meaning

Put your hands on the phone-a
Pick up the phone and dial

Dial the number
Enter the phone number you want to call

See that you’re free to be carrying on-a
Make sure you're not too busy to continue

When you gonna? We’ll succumb
When will you give in to the beat?

but let the rhythm take control and move along
Relinquish control to the music and let it move you

alright
Everything's good

It's a thing that you sing when you don't want to ring
Sing instead of making a call

one of the people that you see downtown, who's the real clown?
Ask yourself who's the real jester among those you see around you

you want to go to the show, although it's a slow-mo...
You're interested in going to the show, even if it's a slow one.

I used to dance with my daddy, yeah?!
I remember dancing with my father.

Contributed by Andrew P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.