Rodgers was a musician and presenter of a rap radio show on the New York station WHBI 105.9. In 1981, he recorded a single, "Searching Rap" under the name Bon Rock. This brought him to the attention of Morali and Belolo, the French producers who had been successful in the late 70s with the Village People, and who were looking for new styles after the decline of disco. In 1982, together with the musician Fred Zarr, they released the single Street Dance, which was an international hit and one of the earliest mainstream breakthroughs for hip hop, although its style is considered more of a pop interpretation of that genre rather than an accurate reflection of the underground music of the time.
Today, Keith Rodgers is still a musician, working under the name SugaBear.
"Street Dance" peaked at #3 on the UK singles charts in March 1984[1] and was the 42nd best-selling single of that year.[2] It hit #1 in Sweden and Norway.[3] In Germany, it was the 78th best-selling single of 1984.[4] It charted #11 in Italy.
"Street Dance"'s strongest chart performance was in France, where it was #1 for two weeks, selling over a million copies and becoming the 86th best-selling single of all time according to a list released in 2004 by the Syndicat National de l'Edition Phonographique[5]
Subsequent singles "Break Dance Party" and "Are You Ready" both reached the British charts, peaking at number 9 and number 27 respectively. The LP Break Machine reached number 17.
Break Dance Party
Break Machine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I won't say too much
And then it comes a new disease
And I won't let it grow
But how many roads
Have you, you used for gold?
Another race, another speed
So don't hold back
Running 'round the track
For, forgive me 'cause I can't leave
Oh, uh, oh, where do we go
And how long will it take to slow
Before we slide, before we slide
Before we slide, before we slide?
Butterflies and pickle bums
And I really couldn't give a fuck
Am I close to treatment
Or can I now go out in the rain?
Who will see with me
That we'll never ever leave this pool?
Oh, uh, oh, where do we go
And how long will it take to slow
Before we slide, before we slide
Before we slide, before we slide?
I have to say, that it's, it's not too late
I have to say, you can never help out too late
I must explain, that it's all sober now
Chocked water is now all squirting out
Pile it up and sit on it next week
'Cause we all live our lives together in the bleak
The first stanza of Break Machine's "Break Dance Party" is filled with abstract imagery that is difficult to decipher. The singer seems to be searching for something - "buttercups" - but is hesitant to reveal too much or let something new grow. They question how many "roads", or paths, have been taken for the sake of wealth, alluding to perhaps a capitalist society in which people will do anything to make a profit. The idea of "another race, another speed" adds to this theme of striving for success at all costs. The singer urges the listener not to hold back and to keep running the track, but also acknowledges that eventually they will have to slow down before they "slide" - an ominous image that suggests some kind of danger or collapse.
The second stanza continues with more puzzling images. Butterflies and "pickle bums" seem to have no relation to each other or the rest of the song. The singer then questions whether they are close to treatment - this could be a medical treatment or some kind of mental help - or if they can just go out in the rain now. Perhaps the rain symbolizes a cleansing or a new beginning. The singer then asks if anyone else sees that they will "never ever leave this pool", a metaphorical reference that could refer to being stuck in a certain situation or environment. The final lines of the stanza repeat the same questions as the first stanza: where do we go and how long will it take to slow down and avoid disaster?
The final stanza offers some possible answers or resolutions. The singer claims that it's not too late to make a change and help others. They explain that they are now sober and able to deal with issues more clearly. The line "chocked water is now all squirting out" is a metaphorical representation of this - something that was previously suppressed is now being released. The final line is perhaps the most important: "we all live our lives together in the bleak". The usage of the word "together" is important, as it suggests that all humans are in this dark, uncertain world together. It's a reminder that we need to support and help each other as much as we can.
Line by Line Meaning
Looking for the buttercups
I am searching for something good and pleasant
And I won't say too much
I am being quiet and reserved
And then it comes a new disease
Something unexpected and harmful has arrived
And I won't let it grow
I will take action to stop the harmful thing from spreading
But how many roads
I am wondering how many different paths people have taken
Have you, you used for gold?
Have you found success in your travels?
Another race, another speed
There is always something new to strive for
So don't hold back
Don't be afraid to try new things and take risks
Sixteen little seconds and you won't stop
Even a small amount of time can make a big impact
Running 'round the track
Continuously working towards a goal
For, forgive me 'cause I can't leave
I am unable to let go of something or someone
Oh, uh, oh, where do we go
I am unsure of the direction we should take
And how long will it take to slow
I am wondering how much time it will take to calm down
Before we slide, before we slide
Before things get worse
Butterflies and pickle bums
I am uninterested in trivial things
And I really couldn't give a fuck
I don't care about those things
Am I close to treatment
I am wondering if there is a solution nearby
Or can I now go out in the rain?
I am wondering if I am safe from harm now
Who will see with me
I am looking for someone to share my experiences with
That we'll never ever leave this pool?
That we will always be confined to our current situation
I have to say, that it's, it's not too late
I want to assure you that there is still hope
I have to say, you can never help out too late
It's never too late to offer assistance
I must explain, that it's all sober now
I need to clarify that everything is serious and clear-headed now
Chocked water is now all squirting out
A blocked situation is now being released and causing chaos
Pile it up and sit on it next week
I will deal with the problems later
'Cause we all live our lives together in the bleak
We are all struggling and facing difficulties together
Contributed by Adam S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@AntoinetteZ
Man. I been searching through my Dads old vinyls, this came up! Makes me proud to know my musical sense comes from my daddy🥰 what a banger
@javierpalacios8458
The song is phenomenal, the best eighties hit I've ever heard, this song is worthy of applause👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
@musicomano6973
Un super recuerdo que ahora está en el internet. Me recuerda a las fiestas y concursos de break dance en 1985 Saludos desde las alturas de La Paz, Bolivia.
@rodrigomanoel3844
Saludos desde são Paulo Brasil
@justinobrien3593
top tune and a top era i would go back in a heartbeat if time machines existed! as there is nothing like this nowadays as the whole world has been brainwashed by social media or as i call in unsocial media as hardly anyone talks nowadays sadly!!! music from a better era & generation 🔊🔉🔈📣📣📣🥳🥳🥳
@evenberg8499
This song was very popular in clothes stores in Norway 1984, when I was 7 years old.
Ahhh...memories... 😊💖
@goltzhar
Yes... spent my summers with my grandmother in Norway (Toten Skreia) and she bought me this cassette tape.... still got it! Memories... yes!
@snakesolid11
Temazo, para bailar donde sea.....años 80 lo mejor !!!!!
@flavio3.095
Souvenirs , souvenirs !
Vous avez réussi à nous faire danser dns la street sur des cartons et ça fallait le faire...
Chapeau bas Breakmachine pour nous avoir offert ces galettes inoubliables !
Thank for sharing.
@josemiguelcardenasvides2218
Para mí, la máquina de viajar en el tiempo está ya hecha. La música nos traslada a distintas épocas y los recuerdos son el escenario de esos momentos 👍😎