The Hucklebuck
Brendan Bowyer & The Royal Showband Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When the lights are down low
Grab your baby, then go
Do the hucklebuck
Do the hucklebuck
If you don't know how to do it
Boy, you're out of luck
Then you hunch your back
Start a little movement in your sacroilliac
Wiggle like a snake, waddle like a duck
That's the way you do it when you do the Hucklebuck
Ev'rybody's looking for a-somethin' new
It could be cars, it could be clothes
Or just a stylish shoe
But if you like your dancin'
Better take my tip
Get set, warn the band and let 'er rip
(Instrumenntal Break)
You go a little to the left
A little to the right
Get hold of your partner
Tell him, "No need to fight"
Push your partner round
And then you hunch your back
Start your movement in your sacroilliac
Wiggle like a snake and then you waddle like a duck
And that's the way you gotta do it when you do the Hucklebuck
There you go
You got it now
It's the Hucklebuck!
"The Hucklebuck" is a cheerful, upbeat dance track that was one of the most popular songs in Ireland in the 1960s. The lyrics instruct listeners on the steps to the Hucklebuck dance, which is characterized by a combination of hip gyrations, duck waddles, and back hunches. The song's opening lines encourage listeners to hit the dance floor and find a partner for a low-lit, rhythmic rendezvous. The song then delves into specific dance steps - pushing out your partner, hunching your back, moving your hips, wiggling like a snake and waddling like a duck - which are easy to follow and fun to perform.
While the Hucklebuck is primarily a dance song, it's also a celebration of individuality and personal style. The opening verse suggests that everyone is looking for something new, be it a car, clothes, or stylish shoes. However, the song urges dancers to embrace their own unique style and not follow the trends, with the repeated line "you got it now, it's the Hucklebuck." The song's playful call-and-response structure and lively beat have made it a timeless classic that's still played and danced to in Ireland and beyond.
Line by Line Meaning
Here's a dance you should know
I'm introducing you to a dance that you need to learn
When the lights are down low
It's best to dance the Hucklebuck when the lighting is dimmed
Grab your baby, then go
Ask your partner to join you for the Hucklebuck dance and begin
Do the hucklebuck
This is the name of the dance that you're about to learn
Do the hucklebuck
Again, emphasizing the name of the dance
If you don't know how to do it
If you're not familiar with the dance
Boy, you're out of luck
Then you won't be able to participate in it
Push your partner out
Push your partner away from you
Then you hunch your back
Arch your back
Start a little movement in your sacroiliac
Move using your hips
Wiggle like a snake, waddle like a duck
Move like a snake and then walk like a duck
That's the way you do it when you do the Hucklebuck
This is how you dance the Hucklebuck
Ev'rybody's looking for a-something new
Everyone is seeking something fresh
It could be cars, it could be clothes
It could be a car or new outfits
Or just a stylish shoe
Or even just shoes that are in style
But if you like your dancin'
But if you like to dance
Better take my tip
You should listen to my advice
Get set, warn the band and let 'er rip
Prepare yourself, give the band a heads up, and then start dancing full-force
(Instrumenntal Break)
A musical interlude with no lyrics
You go a little to the left
Take a few steps to your left
A little to the right
Then take a few steps to your right
Get hold of your partner
Take your partner's hand
Tell him, 'No need to fight'
Let your partner know that there's no need to struggle or resist
Push your partner round
Push your partner around in a circle
And then you hunch your back
Arch your back again
Start your movement in your sacroilliac
Start moving using your hips once more
Wiggle like a snake and then you waddle like a duck
Move like a snake and then walk like a duck again
And that's the way you gotta do it when you do the Hucklebuck
This is how you dance the Hucklebuck - repeating the earlier lyrics
There you go
You've learned the dance now
You got it now
You now know how to Hucklebuck
It's the Hucklebuck!
Emphasizing the name of the dance one final time
Writer(s): Roy Alfred, Andy Gibson
Contributed by Penelope D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@patdoyle3686
Outstanding song📀📀📀📀📀📀📀📀📀📀📀📀📀📀📀📀📀📀📀📀📀
@kevinbalsdon4705
Great version of a great song.
@djangiebaby
best hucklebuck classic song & always will be 💖
@mikerobinson1257
Takes me back a long way
@kristernylen7824
I was a DJ at late sixties and beginning seventies. I couldn’t get rid of this song. They wanted me to play it every time.
@rainergebert899
Schöne ALTE Zeit !!!!!!!!!!!!!
@liamodriscoll3739
HE WAS FANTASTIC A GOD GIFTED SINGER AND MUSICIAN AND A PROUD MODEST DECENT GENTLEMAN BRENDAN 1938 TO 2020 R I P AMEN, ❤️🌹🇮🇪
@fleurbloem305
De tijd van toen, zalig
@fredzeiss4815
It was my favorite music when I was 6 years old. I still have the album "The Royal, Live at the Royal Albert Hall" today
@logicfxtrading2280
1960s Memories of parents jiving in the living room. Both still alive but no longer jiving. :-(