A Rockin' Good Way
Dinah Washington & Brook Benton Lyrics
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Honey, don'tcha know I'm gonna give 'em right back (forgive me)
That's a kissin' good way (that's a kissin' good way)
Ah, that's a kissin' good way (that's a kissin' good way)
Now, that's a kissin' good way to mess around and fall in love
(Don't mess around, don't mess around) yeah, what'd I say, now?
If you're gonna start out by huggin' me tight
'Cause that's a huggin' good way (that's a huggin' good way)
Brook, hat's a huggin' good way (that's a huggin' good way) (I'm with you there)
That's a huggin' good way to mess around and fall in love
(Don't mess around, don't mess around) dig this, you remember this?
You know, you called me on the phone (yeah, baby)
And just because I was alone
Yes, you came around a-wooin' (admit it, admit it)
Ah, you'd better ask somebody if you don't know what you're doin'
Now you kissed me and you rocked my soul
And don't come around knockin' rock'n'roll
'Cause that's a rockin' good way (that's a rockin' good way)
Yes, that's a rockin' good way (that's a rockin' good way)
That's a rockin' good way, ah, ah, to mess around and fall in love
(Don't mess around, don't mess around)
Well, ya know you called me on the phone
And just because I was alone (that's why I called you, baby)
You came around a-wooin'
You'd better ask somebody if you don't know what you're doin'
Mmm, now that you've kissed me and rocked my soul
Don't come around knockin' rock'n'roll (what'd I say now?)
That's a rockin' good way (that's a rockin' good way)
Dinah, that's a rockin' good way (that's a rockin' good way) I'm with you, baby
That's a rockin' good way to mess around and fall in love
You better know it baby (I'm diggin' it)
It's a rockin' good way
I love to rock, how 'bout you?
Ah, baby, you got what it takes
Ah ha, ain't that somethin', you dig the rock
I said (cool)
Stay out of my spot
Oh yeah, alright, oh yeah, I like the spot, don't you know, alright
Alright, you got it, man
The lyrics of "A Rockin' Good Way" by Dinah Washington and Brook Benton is a playful flirtation between two people who have chemistry. It's a classic duet that showcases the playful back-and-forth dialogue between the two, starting with their kissing and hugging, and ending with a shared love of rock and roll. The lyrics suggest that if you start something good, like kissing or hugging, you have to follow through with it and do it properly. And if you do it properly, it might lead to something more serious, like falling in love.
There is also a hint of caution, with both singers telling each other not to mess around. The repetition of "don't mess around" shows that they are both serious about what they want. The lyrics also suggest that the woman is the one taking the lead, as she tells the man what to do and how to do it. This was unusual for songs of that era, as it was more common for men to have a dominant role in romance.
Line by Line Meaning
If you're gonna give me good kissin' like that
If you're going to kiss me like that, deeply and passionately
Honey, don'tcha know I'm gonna give 'em right back to you
Honey, you better believe I'll match your kiss with an equally good one
That's a kissin' good way (that's a kissin' good way)
Our kissing style is compatible, this is definitely a good way to kiss
Now, that's a kissin' good way to mess around and fall in love
Our kissing is the perfect way to start messing around and falling in love, but we better be careful
(Don't mess around, don't mess around)
Let's not take this lightly, we need to be serious and not mess around
If you're gonna start out by huggin' me tight
If you're going to hug me tight with purpose
Don't mess around, just a-hug me right
Don't be wishy-washy, hug me the right way with passion
That's a huggin' good way (that's a huggin' good way)
Our hugging style is perfect and feels good
That's a huggin' good way to mess around and fall in love
Our hugging is a great way to start messing around and falling in love, but we need to take this seriously
Ya know you called me on the phone
You know you called me on the phone the other day
And just because I was alone
And just because I happened to be alone at the time
Yes, you came around wooin'
Yes, you came around trying to woo me
Ah, you'd better ask somebody if you don't know what you're doin'
You better make sure you know what you're getting into before trying to win me over
Now you kissed me and you rocked my soul
Now that you have kissed me deeply and passionately, you have swept me off my feet
And don't come around knockin' rock 'n' roll
And don't try to shake up my life like rock 'n' roll music does
Yes, that's a rockin' good way (that's a rockin' good way)
Our love-making style has compatibility, it rocks!
That's a rockin' good way to mess around and fall in love
Our enthusiastic love-making is amazing, let's be careful not to get carried away
(Don't mess around, don't mess around)
We need to be serious and not mess around
Well, ya know you called me on the phone
Well, you called me on the phone a while ago
And just because I was alone
I just happened to be alone at the time
You came around a-wooin'
You came around trying to win me over
Mmm, now that you've kissed me and rocked my soul
Now that you have kissed me passionately and swept me off my feet
Dinah, that's a rockin' good way (that's a rockin' good way)
Dinah, we've got a good thing going, our love-making is intense and amazing
That's a rockin' good way to mess around and fall in love
Our enthusiastic love-making is definitely a great way to start messing around and fall in love
It's a rockin' good way
Our love-making is intense and amazing
I love to rock; how 'bout you?
I love making love like rock 'n' roll music, how about you?
Ah, baby, you got what it takes
You have all the skills and qualities to make love with the intensity of rock 'n' roll
Ah, ha, ain't that somethin'?
It's amazing that we have found each other, and that we have chemistry in our love-making
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Brook Benton, Clyde Lovern Otis, Luchi Dejesus
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@susanvotroubek7440
Brook and Dinah make me so happy. I am 70 and my Mom played they all the time!!! I know my 3 sister's and Mom were the only people rockin out to they in small Texas town in the 50's. We were white and I loved that my Mom had such good taste!!! Brooke is gorgous.
Dinah had a sad life but what a talent!!!!! Good Times...great singer's!!!
@hisbudnrosejn1517
Hi, I am around your age, also from the South. My mom used to borrow her boyfriend's record player & some of his blues records which included Brook, Billie Holliday, & others. I was in my early teens & fell in love with this guy's songs. Also we saw a movie back then, "Walk On The Wild Side" where he sang the theme song. I am elated to learn that younger generations are being exposed to great music like this by whatever means they come across it.
@DeafIaint
Thanks for your story. I'm 75 , got to hear this in UK 1961 and of course love what these two produced x
@kathyblack5126
I am 71 & I have always loved Brooke Benton. And this song with Dinah Washington is such a great happy song! My Mama played all sorts of music & she loved to sing along & she is where I learned to live all genres of music & I will always love the music from the ‘50’s- early 70’s.
@thomasbeattie2257
Brooke Benton the most ignored greatest artist of all time i love him!!!!
@sandracampbell7788
Are you serious? I grew up listening to his songs, especially on a Sunday. Rice and peas and fries chicken or home style. Carrot or sour sop juice....... I've never forgotten them with and much more.
@sharronhickey9243
The natural chemistry between Dinah and Brook comes through on this fun tune. R&B royalty. Thank you both.
@chris99103
Actually Dina could not stand Brook Benton...she thought he was an arrogant twat...always late for recording session and not serious enough...
@rickrick5041
@@chris99103 That's what I heard. I guess she did admire his talent though
@ElvarMasson
Apparently, they're relationship was very "rocky"