Hey DJ / I Can't Dance
Betty Boo Lyrics


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I can't dance
To that rhythm that you're been playing
That style is over, sold out and dating
Dating back and, yo, what's up?
We used to shake it up, how dare you
Ever care to play that trash?
You better prepare to go away
No more tit for tat chat
'Cause I can't dance to that

I can't dance to the music you're playing
Stop, think it over and rewrite your tune
I can't dance to the music you're playing
You better get yourself together
You better do it soon

I need a rhythm to be hype and thumping
I want it hot like it's coming from an oven
I wanna be dancing and moving
Betty Boo on the mic and doing the business
So get with this
Doing this in the flesh, you just can't resist
From hoeing and going out every night
And Betty Boo's quite irritated, you're terminated
My mind's made up, can't be persuaded
It lacks a certain punch, that certain edge
Betty Boo's the best thing since sliced bread
I've had enough, yes, I wanna cut so
Take your crusty beats with you and dust
'Cause lately you ain't been up to scratch
And I can't dance to that

I can't dance to the music you're playing
Stop, think it over and rewrite your tune
I can't dance to the music you're playing
You better get yourself together
You better do it soon

Boogie
Came to your door, said you were busy
You had a visit from your aunt Lizzy
So what we did was we postponed our dope beat session
'Til she'd flown home
So I thought I'd practice all by myself
But I realized I'd left my lyrics file on your shelf
I couldn't believe at what I found
Saw you and aunt Lizzy getting on down
You can't imagine at what I saw
It wasn't aunt OLizzy but a cheap dumb broad
That was the last straw, wouldn't take no more
Walked out the door, what could I stay for?
He lied, but never tried
More interested in a bit on the side
But never mind, I've got better things to do so
All my best wishes, from Betty Boo

I can't dance to the music you're playing
Stop, think it over and rewrite your tune
I can't dance to the music you're playing
You better get yourself together
You better do it soon

I can't dance to the music you're playing (I can't dance, no, baby)
Stop, think it over and rewrite your tune (I can't dance to the music, oh no)
I can't dance to the music you're playing (I can't dance, no, baby)
You better get yourself together
You better do it soon





I can't dance to that

Overall Meaning

In Betty Boo's song Hey DJ / I Can't Dance, the singer is expressing her frustration with the music that the DJ is playing. She states that she cannot dance to the rhythm that he has been playing and finds it outdated and irrelevant. Betty Boo wants a beat that is "hype and thumping" and that will get her moving, but the DJ isn't delivering. She calls him out on his trash and lack of creativity, and tells him to "stop, think it over and rewrite your tune". Betty Boo emphasizes that she will not dance to that music, and that he needs to up his game if he wants to keep her and the crowd entertained.


Furthermore, Betty Boo talks about how she caught the DJ cheating on her with a woman who was not his aunt Lizzie, but a "cheap dumb broad". This incident was the last straw for Betty Boo, and she walked out on him. She declares that she has better things to do than deal with his lies and infidelities. Through her lyrics, Betty Boo is taking control of the situation and asserting her power to demand better music and treatment from the DJ.


The song's lyrics empower women to speak up and make their voices heard. Betty Boo serves as a role model for women who may feel like they are being ignored or mistreated, and encourages them to stand up for themselves. The repetitive nature of the chorus also makes it incredibly catchy and easy to sing along to, ensuring that it would be a hit when it was released in 1990.


Line by Line Meaning

I can't dance
I am unable to dance


To that rhythm that you're been playing
I cannot dance to the music that you are playing


That style is over, sold out and dating
That music style is outdated and overused


Dating back and, yo, what's up?
Referring to the past, what's going on currently?


We used to shake it up, how dare you
We used to dance differently and you have audacity to play this music


Ever care to play that trash?
Why would you even consider playing that terrible music


You better prepare to go away
You should leave or move on


No more tit for tat chat
No more back and forth discussion or argument


'Cause I can't dance to that
Because I am unable to dance to that music


Stop, think it over and rewrite your tune
Stop and reconsider your music selection and improve it


You better get yourself together
You need to fix this problem and get it right


I need a rhythm to be hype and thumping
I require a lively and exciting beat


I want it hot like it's coming from an oven
I want it to be steamy like it's fresh from an oven


Betty Boo on the mic and doing the business
Betty Boo is singing her heart out and performing well


So get with this
Come along and join the fun


Doing this in the flesh, you just can't resist
You won't be able to resist joining me in dancing


From hoeing and going out every night
Referring to promiscuous behavior and going out frequently


And Betty Boo's quite irritated, you're terminated
Betty Boo is annoyed and you will no longer be welcome


My mind's made up, can't be persuaded
I have decided and won't be swayed


It lacks a certain punch, that certain edge
It's missing a certain energy and excitement


Betty Boo's the best thing since sliced bread
Betty Boo is amazing and incredibly talented


I've had enough, yes, I wanna cut so
I am done and I want to leave


Take your crusty beats with you and dust
Take your undesired music and go away


'Cause lately you ain't been up to scratch
Recently, your music hasn't been good enough


Boogie
Let's dance


Came to your door, said you were busy
I came to your door and you said you were preoccupied


You had a visit from your aunt Lizzy
You had a relative named Aunt Lizzy come and visit


So what we did was we postponed our dope beat session
We agreed to delay our musical session


'Til she'd flown home
Until she left and went back home


So I thought I'd practice all by myself
I decided to practice alone


But I realized I'd left my lyrics file on your shelf
I remembered that my lyrics were left on your shelf


I couldn't believe at what I found
I was in shock with what I discovered


Saw you and aunt Lizzy getting on down
You and Aunt Lizzy were dancing suggestively


You can't imagine at what I saw
You cannot even fathom what I witnessed


It wasn't Aunt Lizzy but a cheap dumb broad
It wasn't Aunt Lizzy, it was some inappropriate woman


That was the last straw, wouldn't take no more
That was the last mistake and I couldn't handle it anymore


Walked out the door, what could I stay for?
I left and had no reason to stay


He lied, but never tried
He deceived me and didn't make an effort


More interested in a bit on the side
He was more interested in being unfaithful


But never mind, I've got better things to do so
I am not bothered and have other things to occupy me


All my best wishes, from Betty Boo
Sincerely, Betty Boo


I can't dance to that
I cannot dance to that music




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Alison Clarkson, Debbie Dean, Deke Richards, Manda Glanfield, Paul Carter, Richard Walmsley, Stephen Carter

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@stevec1972ad

Still slammin'! Betty Boo thank you for makin me dance when 17 years old now 51.You're Amazin. Sept 2023

@gemiman5734

Ahhh memories, I was 27 when this came out, and I didn't have a care in the world apart from my playing/listening to my music and going to gigs. Good times and a lot better than they are now.

@dumptrump3788

Betty Boo was so much fun, she was different & made some dammed catchy tunes that rattled around my head for decades, until re awakened by stumbling across them here. Oh yeah.

@leongallie4347

When, in 1989, this was the last tune I heard on the radio before heading to the USA for a year out on my gap year. Before the internet came about, it was a lasting memory. Thanks Betty Boo!

@lennydicko

Ahh the days back then ❤️🔥🥰

@cdbrown48

I have always loved this group......I have both of their CD's and play them all the time. Never saw the video's before since I was in Okinawa Japan when these came out. We were about 6-9 months behind where people were in the states in all things media related. Anyway this kick's ass!!!

@juanman75

Well said suzieclair, bring back 1990. So many happy memories. Seen an interview with betty the other day on youtube, she still looks great!

@trinita1972

The Greatest Hit Song at the end of '80!!! I CAN DANCE!!! Many thanks Retrovidz !!!

@bugaboom

Thanks for posting this...It takes me back to the good ole days when I was 18

@fadetablack817

Claudia Fontaine Baby I'll never forget you RIP xxxx

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