I'm gonna wear you to the ball tonight
Put on your best dress tonight

Did you hear what the man said baby
Said be your best 'cause this
Gonna be your musical test
So come to school,
And I take up the musical rule
Give me soul brothers, and give me soul sisters
Come to I and maybe you can make it if you try
So be wise and be deadly, put on your best
Because I got your musical key
Rub it baby, I said scrub it, yeah
Cause I'm tougher than tough
And that ain't no bluff
Maybe it's because I've got the musical (best) stuff

I'm gonna make you the talk of the town
No use wearing a frown
Though, those other guys may put you down
I'm gonna let you wear my crown
Though, those other guys may put you down
You'll wear my crown

Wow
Chick-a-bow, chick-a-bow, Chick-a-bow wow wow
Give me soul brothers and give me soul sisters
Don't beg for no mercy
Move it up, and break it up
I tell you 'bout it, it's good
Wow! She's got it,
She's got it
She's got it

And we are going to have a musical ball
So get on the ball and don't stall
I beg you baby
Wow
Tell you about it, it's good

That's for sure
Play brand new musical discs from
The flick of my wrist, baby
Wow! Tell you about it, she's got it
She's got it, she's got it, she's got it
Wow! Chick-a-bow
Chick-a-bow
Chick-a-bow
Chick-a-bow wow wow

Overall Meaning

In U-Roy's song "Wear You To The Ball," he's telling someone to dress up for a ball that's happening that evening. The ball is a showcase of musical talent, and U-Roy tells the listener to bring their best self to the event. He wants them to feel confident and deadly, as if they are a ruler in their own right. U-Roy also alludes to the fact that this is a competition of sorts – the listener is being tested, and U-Roy has the "musical key" needed to succeed.

Throughout the song, U-Roy emphasizes the importance of confidence, promising to make the listener the talk of the town and to let them wear his crown. He's urging them to move forward without fear and to be proud of their own talent. U-Roy brings his own style to the track with his singjay vocal style – a mix of singing and rapping – and his signature use of ad-libs like "chick-a-bow wow wow." The song's upbeat rhythm and catchy melody make it a quintessential reggae classic.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm gonna wear you to the ball tonight
I will escort you to the dance this evening

Put on your best dress tonight
wear your finest attire

Did you hear what the man said baby
Listen to the words spoken, my dear

Said be your best 'cause this
He suggested to perform at your highest potential during this event because it is significant

Gonna be your musical test
This event will be an examination of your musical talents

So come to school,
Attend my classes

And I take up the musical rule
I will teach you the art of music

Give me soul brothers, and give me soul sisters
Provide me with talented singers

Come to I and maybe you can make it if you try
Visit me, and with effort you could succeed

So be wise and be deadly, put on your best
Be smart and decisive, while wearing your finest clothes

Because I got your musical key
Since I possess the right method for music-making

Rub it baby, I said scrub it, yeah
Perform it vigorously to succeed

Cause I'm tougher than tough
I am stronger than any previous obstacles

And that ain't no bluff
It is no untrue statement

Maybe it's because I've got the musical (best) stuff
Perhaps, my music skills and expertise will lead me to prosperity

I'm gonna make you the talk of the town
I will help you make headlines in the city

No use wearing a frown
No need to be sad

Though, those other guys may put you down
Others may criticize you

I'm gonna let you wear my crown
I will entrust you with my authority

You'll wear my crown
I give you my blessing

Give me soul brothers and give me soul sisters
Supply me with skilled male and female singers

Don't beg for no mercy
Do not humbly plead for mercy

Move it up, and break it up
Dance wildly and enjoyably

Tell you 'bout it, it's good
Listen to what I am saying because it's great music

Wow! She's got it,
Wow! She has the talent

And we are going to have a musical ball
A music-filled celebration is imminent

So get on the ball and don't stall
Hurry and get ready

I beg you baby
I request from you, darling

Play brand new musical discs from
Perform recent and trendy music

The flick of my wrist, baby
I can effortlessly switch it up

Chick-a-bow Chick-a-bow Chick-a-bow wow wow
Sound of the music being played

Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
Written by: HOWARD ANTHONY BARRETT, JOHN KENNETH HOLT, TYRONE EVANS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@mrbillhicks

I'm gonna wear you to the ball tonight
Put on your best dress tonight

Did you hear what the man said baby
Said be your best 'cause this
Gonna be your musical test
So come to school
And I take up the musical rule
Give me soul brothers, and Give me soul sisters
Come to I and maybe you can make it if you try
So be wise and be deadly, put on your best
Because I got your musical key
Rub it baby, I said scrub it, Yeah!
Cause I'm tougher than tough
And that ain't no bluff
Maybe it's because I've got the musical (best) stuff
'Im gonna make you the talk of the town

No use wearing a frown
Though, those other guys may put you down
I'm gonna let you wear my crown
Though, those other guys may put you down
You'll wear my crown
Chick-a-bow, chick-a-bow, Chick-a-bow wow wow

Give me soul brothers and give me soul sisters
Don't beg for no mercy
Move it up, and break it up!
I tell you 'bout it, it's good
Wow! She's got it
She's got it
And we are going to have a musical ball
So get on the ball and don't stall
I beg you baby
Wow! Tell you about it, it's good
That's for sure
Play brand new musical discs from
The flick of my wrist, baby
Wow! Tell you about it, she's got it
She's got it, she's got it, she's got it

All comments from YouTube:

@simonpetergreen

3y↑32

RIP U Roy ... this is one of my fav tunes of all time :) peace to the god xx

@Theoobovril

3y↑8

Another great gone upstairs to take a rest, thanks for all the great songs and bringing so much great Jamaican music to the UK over man-many years.

@peabody634

You sure there’s an upstairs?

@Theoobovril

I have an idea that the upstairs is where you drift in to, temporarily, when you dream.You link to those tightly wrapped up extra dimensions of space during subconscious thought processes. And your subconscious mind becomes dominant when you are asleep. But your conscious mind does not permit your subconscious to take control, absolutely, when you are asleep. Explains why your dreams are very short in duration. And when your time is up, so the energy, that flows between your subconscious mind and those extra dimensions of space, that energy gets pulled permanently in to those wrapped up dimension along with all that your memory has managed to retain throughout your entire life. Anyway, that's my theory, and I have had several experiences that make me believe I may well be correct. It is a strange universe we live in, and much of the science, contained, has yet to be discovered and much yet to be understood.@@peabody634