In the Basement Part 1
Etta James & Sugar Pie DeSanto Lyrics


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Oh, tell me where can you party, child, all night long?
In the basement, down in the basement, yeah
Oh where can you go where your money gets low?
In the basement, whoa down in the basement
And if a storm is taking place, you can jam and still be safe
In the basement, down in the basement, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Where can you dance to any music you choose?
In the basement, whoa down in the basement
Oh, you got the comforts of home, a nightclub too
In the basement, whoa down in the basement
There's no cover charge or fee and the food and drinks are free
In the basement, down in the basement

Come on child, you can do it, you can do it, yeah

In the basement, that's where it's at
In the basement, that's where it's at
In the basement, that's where it's at
In the basement, that's where it's at

In the basement, in the basement, in the basement

That's where it's at

You tell'em
Where they don't, where they don't check your age at the door
In the basement, whoa down in the basement
Barracuda and til your feet get sore
In the basement, whoa down in the basement
Do any dance you want to do, there's no one under you
In the basement, I know it, you tell'em oh-h-h-h I wanno go

In the basement, that's where it's at
In the basement, that's where it's at




In the basement, that's where it's at
In the basement, that's where it's at

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Etta James and Sugar Pie DeSanto's "In The Basement" are a celebration of the joys of partying and dancing in the basement. The song starts by asking where one can party all night and still be safe. The answer is simple: the basement. The basement is the place to go when your money is low, but you still want to have a good time. Even if a storm is taking place, you can still jam in the basement.


As the song continues, the singers describe the many benefits of partying in the basement. You can dance to any music you choose, and you have the comforts of home and a nightclub at the same time. There's no cover charge or fee, and the food and drinks are free. In the basement, there's no age limit or restrictions on dancing, and you can do any dance you want without worrying about anyone being under you.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh, tell me where can you party, child, all night long?
Where can you find a place to party all night?


In the basement, down in the basement, yeah
You can find it in the basement.


Oh where can you go where your money gets low?
Where can you go when you're short on cash?


In the basement, whoa down in the basement
You can go to the basement.


And if a storm is taking place, you can jam and still be safe
Even during a storm, you can dance and remain safe.


In the basement, down in the basement, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
That's because you're in the basement.


Where can you dance to any music you choose?
Where can you dance to any music of your choice?


In the basement, whoa down in the basement
You can do that in the basement.


Oh, you got the comforts of home, a nightclub too
The basement has everything, it's like a home and a nightclub rolled into one.


In the basement, whoa down in the basement
That's why you should go to the basement.


There's no cover charge or fee and the food and drinks are free
Entry is free, and food and drinks are also free.


In the basement, down in the basement
And that's all thanks to the basement.


Come on child, you can do it, you can do it, yeah
Don't hesitate, come on down and join the fun.


In the basement, that's where it's at
The basement is the place to be.


In the basement, in the basement, in the basement
Let's all go to the basement.


That's where it's at
Because that's where the fun is.


You tell'em
Spread the word!


Where they don't, where they don't check your age at the door
Where can you enter without being asked your age?


In the basement, whoa down in the basement
That's right, the basement again.


Barracuda and til your feet get sore
Dance to your heart's content until your feet hurt.


In the basement, whoa down in the basement
That's why the basement is the place to be.


Do any dance you want to do, there's no one under you
You can dance however you like, without worrying about anyone else.


In the basement, I know it, you tell'em oh-h-h-h I wanno go
That's why you should tell everyone you know about the basement, and why you want to go there.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Carl Smith, Raynard Miner, Roquel Davis

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@gunners47

Well, I'm 75 in the meantime, but still think thia is one of the very best soul duet ever, just superb!!

@johnallen2771

Wow. What a powerhouse duo! I was 16 in 1966 but I never get did to see Etta or Sugar Pie. As I started discovering the blues later on I was exposed to their music for the first time. Thank God we have sites like YT where we can hear all of their fantastic music again.

@rodmcdonald4707

I remember playing this when I was ten years old. I am sixty seven now.

@richardmarkszpigiel684

Comment of the month. Thank you. Here's to many more years of you enjoying this song!

@pierreapplencourt3519

Hi Rod, how lucky you were playing with those 2 ladies, I guess Marvelous souvenir ?

@viviennewillard2563

Happy 70th to a man with great taste.

@kiketao3

Sensacional!!!Fantásticas!!!🤩

@ricardorafaelporta853

¡ Que voces !

@freezonetrumpet

Sugar Pie deserves songwriting credit for Pt. 2

@lindasweet422

Those blue lights in the basement days were awesome, and we did dance like it was no tomorrow. Would not change those times for any number of days after that.

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