Harlem Shuffle
Bob & Earl Lyrics


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You move it to the left
Yeah, and you go for yourself
You move it to the right
Yeah, if it takes all night
Now take it kinda slow
With a whole lot of soul
Don't move it too fast
You make it last
You know scratch just like a monkey
Yeah you do real, yeah
You slide it to the limbo
Yeah, how low can you go?

Oh, come on baby
I don't want you to stumble now
You just groove it right here to the Harlem Shuffle

(Yeah, yeah, yeah do the harlem shuffle)
Oh, do the monkeyshiner
(Yeah, yeah, yeah do the harlem shuffle)

Hitch, hitch-hike baby
Across the floor
Whoa, whoa, whoa
I can't stand it no more
Now come on baby
Now get into your slide
We're gonna ride, ride, ride
Little pony, ride!

Yeah
Shake, shake, shake, shake a tailfeather, baby (whoo!)




Shake, shake, shake, shake a tailfeather, baby, one more time (whoo!)
Shake, shake, shake, shake, do the monkeyshine, baby

Overall Meaning

The song "Harlem Shuffle" by Bob & Earl is about dance and having fun. The song describes different dance moves, emphasizing on the “Harlem Shuffle,” which is a dance that emerged from Harlem, New York city in the 1960s. The lyrics urge the listener to move their body to the left and right, take it slow, and add lots of soul. The song also mentions other popular dances of the time, such as the limbo and the monkeyshiner, encouraging the listener to scratch like a monkey and move as low as possible.


The chorus of the song invites the listener to do the Harlem Shuffle, and calls out for other dance moves like hitch-hiking across the floor and riding the little pony. The song also urges the listener to shake their tail feathers in excitement and repeat the monkeyshine.


Overall, the lyrics are about letting loose and enjoying the moment. The song has a catchy rhythm and upbeat tempo that encourages people to dance and have fun.


Line by Line Meaning

You move it to the left
Start moving your body to the left


Yeah, and you go for yourself
Doing it for yourself


You move it to the right
Now start moving your body to the right


Yeah, if it takes all night
Do it all night if necessary


Now take it kinda slow
Take it slow and steady


With a whole lot of soul
Put your heart and soul into it


Don't move it too fast
Don't be too quick or hasty


You make it last
Make it last long


You know scratch just like a monkey
Move your hands like a monkey


Yeah you do real, yeah
Do it with real style


You slide it to the limbo
Slide under the limbo bar


Yeah, how low can you go?
How low can you slide?


Oh, come on baby
Come on, let's dance


I don't want you to stumble now
Don't trip or fall


You just groove it right here to the Harlem Shuffle
Dance and groove to the Harlem Shuffle


(Yeah, yeah, yeah do the harlem shuffle)
Keep doing the Harlem Shuffle


Oh, do the monkeyshiner
Do the monkey dance


(Yeah, yeah, yeah do the harlem shuffle)
Keep doing the Harlem Shuffle


Hitch, hitch-hike baby
Do the hitch-hike dance


Across the floor
Across the dance floor


Whoa, whoa, whoa
Wow, this is great


I can't stand it no more
This is so good, I can't stop


Now come on baby
Come on, let's dance


Now get into your slide
Start sliding


We're gonna ride, ride, ride
We're going to dance all night


Little pony, ride!
Ride like a pony


Yeah
Yes, that's right


Shake, shake, shake, shake a tailfeather, baby (whoo!)
Shake your tailfeather, baby


Shake, shake, shake, shake a tailfeather, baby, one more time (whoo!)
Shake your tailfeather again


Shake, shake, shake, shake, do the monkeyshine, baby
Do the monkey dance and shake it




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: EARL NELSON, ROBERT RELF

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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