Whadaya want?
Buster Poindexter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hoy, hoy!
(Bi-dah-bi-day-doh, bi-dah-boh-day)
Ahoy, hoy!
(Bi-dah-bi-day-doh, bi-dah-boh-day)
Yeah!
(What do you want?)
(What do you want?)
I don't want no caviar
(What do you want?)
Don′t wanna be no movie star
(What do you want?)
(Bi-dah-bi-day-doh, bi-dah-boh-day)
(What do you want?)
I don't want no aeroplane
(What do you want?)
I don't want no house in Spain
(What do you want?)
Don′t wanna drink no pink champagne
(What do you want?)
(Bi-dah-bi-day-doh, bi-dah-boh-day)
You don′t want this, you don't want that
Tell me why
You′ve got plenty of money
Yeah, but I want something money can't buy
(What do you want?)
I don′t want no motorboat
(What do you want?)
I don't want no cashmere coat
(What do you want?)
Here′s a story that you can quote
(What do you want?)
I just want a little girl to love
(A jug of wine?)
No, no, no!
(A drink of mine?)
No, no, no!
(A drunken try?)
No, no, no!
(What do you want?)
Yeah, haha!
(Bi-dah-bi-day-doh, bi-dah-boh-day)
(Bi-dah-bi-day-doh, bi-dah-boh-day)
(Bi-dah-bi-day-doh, bi-dah-boh-day)
(Bi-dah-bi-day-doh, bi-dah-boh-day)
You don't want this, you don't want that
Tell me why
You′ve got plenty of money
Yeah, but I want something money can′t buy
(What do you want?)
I don't want no motorboat
(What do you want?)
I don′t want no cashmere coat
(What do you want?)
Here's a story that you can quote
(What do you want?)
I just want a little girl to love
(Bi-dah-bi-day-doh, bi-dah-boh-day)
Ahoy, hoy! (Bi-dah-bi-day-doh, bi-dah-boh-day)
Ahoyee! (Bi-dah-bi-day-doh, bi-dah-boh-day)
Hahahaha! (Bi-dah-bi-day-doh, bi-dah-boh-day)
Baby, I got cars (Bi-dah-bi-day-doh, bi-dah-boh-day)
I got I got gadgets, gismos (Bi-dah-bi-day-doh, bi-dah-boh-day)
I got green bags! I need some love! (Bi-dah-bi-day-doh, bi-dah-boh-day)
Come on over here and give your daddy some lovin′, hahaha (Bi-dah-bi-day-doh, bi-dah-boh-day)
That's the ticket! (Bi-dah-bi-day-doh, bi-dah-boh-day)
The song Whadaya Want by Buster Poindexter, originally released in 1987, is a playful tune about the singer's desires. In the chorus, he sings "What do you want?" in a mocking tone, then proceeds to dismiss all the typical desires of a wealthy person, such as fancy cars, caviar, or even a house in Spain. He then reveals the real things he wants: a little girl to love. He repeats this last line multiple times while shouting "ahoy!" as if calling out in search of his desire.
The lyrics can be interpreted in multiple ways, but overall the song seems to be a parody of the shallow desires of the rich and famous. The repetitive use of "bi-dah-bi-day-doh, bi-dah-boh-day" and "ahoy" makes it clear that the tone of the song is not meant to be taken too seriously. The little girl he wants could also be interpreted as a symbol of simplicity and innocence, something he thinks the wealthy have lost.
Overall, Whadaya Want is a fun, upbeat song that mocks superficial desires while calling for more sincere connections.
Line by Line Meaning
(Bi-dah-bi-day-doh, bi-dah-boh-day)
Nonsensical babble to set the rhythm and mood of the song
Hoy, hoy!
An exclamation used to express enthusiasm or joy
(What do you want?)
I don't want no fancy car
Questioning the desires and materialism of society while rejecting the idea of owning lavish items
(What do you want?)
I don't want no caviar
Expressing a lack of interest in high-end or luxurious foods
(What do you want?)
Don’t wanna be no movie star
Opposing the idea of being a famous movie star, highlighting that such a lifestyle might come with unwanted attention or stress
(What do you want?)
I don't want no aeroplane
Rejecting the need for having a personal airplane, realizing that it is unnecessary and that there are plenty of other modes of transportation
(What do you want?)
I don't want no house in Spain
Showing indifference towards owning an extravagant or expensive house in Spain
(What do you want?)
Don’t wanna drink no pink champagne
Rejecting the need for society's most luxurious or expensive drinks, emphasizing that they are not necessary for a good time
You don't want this, you don't want that
Tell me why
You’ve got plenty of money
Yeah, but I want something money can't buy
Explaining the confusion surrounding the rejection of material items when one has plenty of money, and conveying a desire for something priceless, like love
(What do you want?)
Here's a story that you can quote
I just want a little girl to love
Expressing the importance of love and companionship over material possessions or fame
(A jug of wine?)
No, no, no!
(A drink of mine?)
No, no, no!
(A drunken try?)
No, no, no!
(What do you want?)
Yeah, haha!
Rejecting the offer of wine, drink or drunkenness, and focusing instead on finding a connection with a special someone.
(Bi-dah-bi-day-doh, bi-dah-boh-day)
Ahoy, hoy!
Nonsensical babble to set the rhythm and mood of the song followed by an enthusiastic exclamation
Hahahaha! (Bi-dah-bi-day-doh, bi-dah-boh-day)
Baby, I got cars (Bi-dah-bi-day-doh, bi-dah-boh-day)
I got I got gadgets, gismos (Bi-dah-bi-day-doh, bi-dah-boh-day)
I got green bags! I need some love! (Bi-dah-bi-day-doh, bi-dah-boh-day)
Come on over here and give your daddy some lovin′, hahaha (Bi-dah-bi-day-doh, bi-dah-boh-day)
That's the ticket! (Bi-dah-bi-day-doh, bi-dah-boh-day)
Dismissing the importance of money while acknowledging possession of these things and calling for someone to come over and provide love and affection.
Writer(s): Mike Stoller, Jerry Leiber
Contributed by Alyssa B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.