Rhythm of Life
Diana Ross & The Temptations Lyrics
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Tootin′ on his trumpet loud and mean
Suddenly a voice said, "Go forth, Daddy
Spread the picture on a wider screen"
And the voice said, "Brother, there's a million pigeons
Ready to be hooked on new religions
Hit the road, Daddy, leave your common law wife
And the rhythm of life is a powerful beat
Puts a tingle in your fingers and a...
Tingle in your feet
Rhythm in your bedroom, rhythm in the street
Yes, the rhythm of life is a powerful beat
And the rhythm of life is a powerful beat (To feel the rhythm of life)
Puts a tingle in your fingers and a...
Tingle in your feet (To feel the powerful beat)
Rhythm in your bedroom,
Rhythm in the street (To feel the tingle in your fingers)
Yes, the rhythm of life is a powerful
Beat (To feel the tingle in your feet)
And the rhythm of life is a powerful beat
Puts a tingle in your fingers and a tingle in your feet
Rhythm in your bedroom, rhythm in the street
Yes, the rhythm of life is a powerful beat
Daddy spread the gospel in Milwaukee
Took his walkie talkie to Rocky Ridge
Blew his way to Canton then to Scranton
Till he landed under the Manhattan Bridge
Daddy was the new sensation
Got himself a congregation
Built up quite an operation down below
With the pie-eyed piper blowing
While the muscatel was flowing
All the cats were go, go,
Going down below (All the cats were go, go, going down below)
Daddy was the new sensation,
Got himself a congregation (Daddy was the new sensation)
Built up quite an operation down below (Got himself a congregation)
With the pie-eyed piper blowing,
While the muscatel was flowing (Built up quite an operation ...)
All the cats were go, go, going down below(...down below)
With the pie-eyed piper blowing (With the pie-eyed piper blowing)
While the muscatel was flowing (While the muscatel was flowing)
All the cats were go, go,...
Going down below (All the cats were go, go, going down below)
Flip your wings and fly to Daddy
Flip your wings and fly to Daddy (Flip your wings and fly to Daddy)
Flip your wings and fly to Daddy (Flip your wings and fly to Daddy)
Fly, fly, fly to Daddy (Fly, fly, fly to Daddy)
Take a dive and swim to Daddy
Take a dive and swim to Daddy (Take a dive and swim to Daddy)
Take a dive and swim to Daddy (Take a dive and swim to Daddy)
Swim, swim, swim to Daddy (Swim, swim, swim to Daddy)
Hit the floor and crawl to Daddy (Hit the floor and crawl to Daddy)
Hit the floor and crawl to Daddy (Hit the floor and crawl to Daddy)
Hit the floor and crawl to Daddy (Hit the floor and crawl to Daddy)
Crawl, crawl, crawl to Daddy (Crawl, crawl, crawl to Daddy)
And the rhythm of life is a powerful beat
Puts a tingle in your fingers and a...
Tingle in your feet
Rhythm in your bedroom, rhythm in the street
Yes, the rhythm of life is a powerful beat
And the rhythm of life is a powerful beat (To feel the rhythm of life)
Puts a tingle in your fingers and a...
Tingle in your feet (To feel the powerful beat)
Rhythm in your bedroom,
Rhythm in the street (To feel the tingle in your fingers)
Yes, the rhythm of life is a powerful beat
(To feel the tingle in your feet)
To feel the rhythm of life
To feel the powerful beat
To feel the tingle in your fingers
To feel the tingle in your feet
To feel the rhythm of life (To feel the rhythm of life)
To feel the powerful beat (To feel the powerful beat)
To feel the tingle in your fingers
(To feel the tingle in your fingers)
To feel the tingle in your feet (To feel the tingle in your feet)
Flip your wings and fly to Daddy (On and on)
Take a dive and swim to Daddy (You should start to thinking)
Hit the floor and crawl to Daddy (Forever on)
Daddy, we got the rhythm of life (Daddy, we got the rhythm of life)
Of life, of life, of life
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
The lyrics to Diana Ross & The Temptations's song "Rhythm of Life" describe the story of a man named Daddy who starts playing his trumpet in San Francisco and is then told by a voice to go out and spread the gospel of the "rhythm of life" to the world. Daddy travels to different cities, building up a congregation and spreading the power of the rhythm which can be felt in the fingers and feet, both in the bedroom and on the street. The song is a celebration of the power of music to bring people together and inspire them to move to the beat of life.
The lyrics of "Rhythm of Life" have a clear religious undertone, with Daddy spreading the gospel to new believers across the country. However, the message here is focused less on traditional religious dogma and more on the power of music and rhythm to uplift and move people. The song is an anthem to the freedom and joy that can be found in letting oneself be carried away by the beat.
Line by Line Meaning
Daddy started out in San Francisco
Daddy began his career in San Francisco.
Tootin' on his trumpet loud and mean
Playing his trumpet with vigor and intensity.
Suddenly a voice said, 'Go forth, Daddy
Daddy received a calling to spread his music.
Spread the picture on a wider screen'
Expand the influence of the music.
And the voice said, 'Brother, there's a million pigeons
The voice encouraged Daddy to find a wider audience.
Ready to be hooked on new religions
People were ready to be taken by a new sound.
Hit the road, Daddy, leave your common law wife
Travel and share your music.
Spread the religion of the rhythm of life'
Encourage people to embrace the rhythm of life.
And the rhythm of life is a powerful beat
The rhythm of life is an irresistible force.
Puts a tingle in your fingers and a...
The beat moves you.
Tingle in your feet
The beat of the music is powerful.
Rhythm in your bedroom, rhythm in the street
The beat is present everywhere in everyday lives.
Yes, the rhythm of life is a powerful beat
The rhythm can be felt everywhere around us.
Daddy spread the gospel in Milwaukee
Daddy shared his music in Milwaukee.
Took his walkie talkie to Rocky Ridge
He brought a means of communication with him.
Blew his way to Canton then to Scranton
He traveled and shared his music.
Till he landed under the Manhattan Bridge
He eventually settled in New York.
Daddy was the new sensation
He became a breakout star.
Got himself a congregation
He cultivated a dedicated following.
Built up quite an operation down below
He created a successful musical enterprise.
With the pie-eyed piper blowing
The music was played by the talented performers.
While the muscatel was flowing
The audience enjoyed the music and drinks.
All the cats were go, go,
Everyone was excited and energized.
Going down below
They were in the basement enjoying the music.
Flip your wings and fly to Daddy
Come and embrace the music.
Take a dive and swim to Daddy
Immerse yourself in the music.
Hit the floor and crawl to Daddy
Surrender to the music.
And the rhythm of life is a powerful beat
The rhythm of life is an irresistible force.
Daddy, we got the rhythm of life
We have fully embraced and felt the power of the rhythm of life.
Writer(s): Dorothy Fields, Cy Coleman
Contributed by Jason E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.