A Taste of Honey, though no longer currently or actively recording or perfo… Read Full Bio ↴A Taste of Honey, though no longer currently or actively recording or performing, is the name of the Grammy-Award winning [Best New Artist, 1978] American recording act which scored one of the biggest hits of the disco era.

The group formed in Los Angeles, California, and originally consisted of Janice Marie Johnson (vocals, bass), Hazel Payne (vocals, guitar), Perry Kibble (keyboards) and Donald Johnson (drums).

Their first single, "Boogie Oogie Oogie," from their self-titled debut album A Taste of Honey, tapped into the popular disco style and spent three weeks at number one (#1) on the Hot 100 in 1978.

The group were awarded a platinum record for this single and went on the win the Grammy Award for Best New Artist (as was previously mentioned).

Their subsequent disco releases, such as "Do It Good" (#79 in 1979) from Another Taste and "Rescue Me" (1980) failed to attract attention, and by 1980 the group had reduced to a duo consisting of Janice Marie Johnson and Hazel Payne.

When recording their cover version of the Kyu Sakamoto song "Sukiyaki" (from their third album- Twice As Sweet, released in 1980) they resisted suggestions to turn it into a dance tune, and as a soft and simple ballad it brought them the second and final major hit of their careers in 1981, when it reached number one (#1) on the Billboard R&B and Adult Contemporary charts and number three (#3) on Hot 100. The group were awarded a gold record for this single.

A Taste of Honey released their final major album, Ladies of the Eighties in 1982. It featured their final Billboard Hot 100 charting single "I'll Try Something New" (#41).

Although their popularity waned in the early 1980s and beyond, both Janice Marie Johnson and Hazel Payne have remained periodically active in the music business and each of the two released solo albums after their group's success.

Boogie Oogie Oogie
A Taste Of Honey Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

If you're thinkin' you're too cool to boogie
Boy oh boy have I got news for you
Everybody here tonight must boogie
Let me tell ya, you are no exception to the rule

Get on up, on the floor
'Cause we're gonna boogie oogie oogie
'Till you just can't boogie no more

Ah boogie, boogie no more
You can't boogie no more
Ah boogie, boogie no more
Listen to the music

There's no time to waste let's get the show on the road
Listen to the music and let your body flow
The sooner we begin the longer we got to groove
Listen to the music and let your body move

Now get on up, on the floor
'Cause we're gonna boogie oogie oogie
'Till you just can't boogie no more
Ah boogie, boogie no more
You can't boogie no more
Ah boogie, boogie no more
Listen to my bass here

Get down boogie oogie oogie
Get down boogie oogie oogie

Get down boogie oogie oogie
Get down

Overall Meaning

The song “Boogie Oogie Oogie” by A Taste of Honey is a disco classic that encourages listeners to let loose and dance. The lyrics open with a challenge to anyone who thinks they’re “too cool to boogie,” assuring them that they are not an exception to the rule and that everyone in the room must dance. The infectious beat and pulsating bass line encourage listeners to get up and move their bodies.

Throughout the song, the band repeatedly instructs listeners to “boogie oogie oogie” until they can’t dance anymore, urging them to let the music take over and move their bodies freely. There’s a sense of urgency in the lyrics, as if the band is imploring listeners not to waste any time and to simply enjoy the moment.

Finally, the song ends with a repeated refrain of “get down boogie oogie oogie,” serving as a final exclamation point in the band’s invitation to dance. Overall, “Boogie Oogie Oogie” is an upbeat and infectious song that continues to inspire people to let loose and have fun on the dance floor.

Line by Line Meaning

If you're thinkin' you're too cool to boogie
If you believe you're too sophisticated to dance

Boy oh boy have I got news for you
I have something to tell you

Everybody here tonight must boogie
Every person present in this place has to dance

Let me tell ya, you are no exception to the rule
You're not exempt from this requirement

Get on up, on the floor
Stand up and come to the dance floor

'Cause we're gonna boogie oogie oogie
We will be dancing energetically

'Till you just can't boogie no more
Until you're unable to dance anymore

Ah boogie, boogie no more
Sorry, no more dancing

You can't boogie no more
It's not possible for you to dance any longer

Listen to the music
Hear the melody

There's no time to waste let's get the show on the road
We don't have any time to lose, let's start dancing