Dance this mess around
B-52’s Lyrics
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Say, remember when you were my man
Walk, talk in the name of love
Before you break my heart
Think it over
Roll it over in your mind
Why don't you dance with me?
Why don't you dance with me?
I'm not no Limburger
Oh say, why don't you dance with me?
I'm not no Limburger
Just a limber girl
Just a limber girl
Just a limber girl
Just a limber girl
Dance this mess around
Dance this mess around, 'round, 'round, 'round, 'round
Everybody goes to parties
They dance this mess around
They do all sixteen dances
They do the Shu-ga-loo
Do the Shy Tuna
Do the Camel Walk
Do the Hip-O-Crit
Ah, hippy hippy forward
Hippy hippy hippy hippy hippy shake
Oh, it's time to do 'em right
Hey, so doesn't that make you feel a whole lot better, huh? (Huh?)
Say, doesn't that make you feel a lot better?
What you say?
Well, I'm just askin'
Come on
Shake
Ooh, oh oh (shake)
Shake
Ooh, oh oh (shake)
Shake
Ooh, oh oh
Everybody goes to parties
They dance this mess around
They do all sixteen dances
They do Coo-ca-choo
Do the Aqua Velva
Do the Dirty Dog
Do the Escalator
Ah, hippy hippy forward
Hippy hippy hippy hippy hippy shake
Oh, it's time to do 'em right
Hey, so Fred, doesn't that make you feel a whole lot better? (Huh?)
Say, doesn't that make you feel a lot better?
What you say?
Well, I'm just askin'
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Stop, dance on over
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Dance, dance this mess around
Dance this mess around
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Dance this mess around
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
The lyrics to the B-52’s song Dance This Mess Around can be interpreted in a number of ways. The opening lines “Remember when you held my hand Say, remember when you were my man” suggest a feeling of nostalgia for a time gone by when the singer was in a romantic relationship. The lines “Before you break my heart Think it over” suggest that the relationship has since ended or is in danger of ending, and that the singer is trying to plead with their former lover to reconsider before making any rash decisions. The repeated line “Why don’t you dance with me?” seems to suggest that the singer is offering a chance to rekindle the romance if the other person is willing to let go of their doubts and insecurities.
The rest of the song is less clear in terms of meaning, but seems to focus on the idea of dancing as a way to forget one’s troubles and “shake off” negativity. The repeated line “Dance this mess around” seems to suggest that the singer is inviting others to join them in dancing away their problems. The song’s chorus also includes a number of references to specific dances, such as the Shu-ga-loo, the Camel Walk, and the Dirty Dog, which may suggest a desire to reconnect with the past and revisit a simpler time when dancing was a popular form of social expression.
Line by Line Meaning
Remember when you held my hand
Let's think back to a time when we were together, and you showed me affection.
Say, remember when you were my man
Recall when you were in a romantic relationship with me.
Walk, talk in the name of love
When we were together, we talked and acted like we were in love with each other.
Before you break my heart
Please think about the impact of ending our relationship on my feelings.
Think it over
Take the time to reflect on whether this is the right choice for both of us.
Roll it over in your mind
Consider every angle and possibility before making a decision.
Why don't you dance with me?
Why don't we forget about our problems and just dance together?
I'm not no Limburger
I'm not a cheesy or undesirable partner.
Just a limber girl
I'm a flexible and fun-loving person.
Dance this mess around
Let's dance and forget about the complications and stress in our lives.
Everybody goes to parties
It's not just us who are trying to escape from reality and have fun.
They do all sixteen dances
At parties, people often dance and show off different moves and styles.
Ah, hippy hippy forward
Everyone has their unique dance style and way of expressing themselves through movement.
Hey, so doesn't that make you feel a whole lot better, huh? (Huh?)
Don't you feel happier and more carefree when you dance with others and enjoy the moment?
Come on
Let's dance together!
Stop, dance on over
Pause and come dance with me.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Kate Pierson, Fred Schneider, Keith Strickland, Cindy Wilson, Ricky Wilson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind