Zappa's earliest influences were 1950s pop and rock (such as doo-wop and rhythm and blues), and 20th-century classical composers including Igor Stravinsky and Edgard Varèse. His output was divided between adventurous instrumental compositions and succinct, catchy rock songs with ribald, satirical, or comically absurd lyrics. On stage he demanded virtuosity and spontaneity from his musicians, and employed many performers who would later go on to achieve fame in their own rights. He directed and released a number of films featuring himself, his musicians and entourage, including 200 Motels and Baby Snakes.
His career started in 1955. His earliest recordings date from the mid-1960s, and include collaborations with his school friend Captain Beefheart. In 1965 he joined a bar-band called The Soul Giants, quickly dominating its musical direction and rechristening it The Mothers. Their first release (as The Mothers of Invention; the name alteration requested by their record company) was the 1966 double album Freak Out!. The line-up of the Mothers gradually expanded to accommodate Zappa's increasingly ambitious and avant-garde music, but by 1969 he decided to work outside the band structure, focusing on his solo career, and effectively disbanding the Mothers in 1971.
The beginnings of his solo career in the late sixties and early seventies was characterised by a strong free jazz influence, with albums containing little, if any, lyrical content, such as Hot Rats, Waka/Jawaka and The Grand Wazoo. Towards the mid-seventies his albums became more rock-orientated, with a combination of Jazz Fusion instrumentation and Rock song structures. This more accessible sound bore reasonable mainstream appeal, especially with the release of the well-advertised albums Over-Nite Sensation and Apostrophe (') (which both went Gold), but Zappa's unpredictably eclectic output never led to solid mainstream recognition. He received uniformly lukewarm reviews from popular music publications such as Rolling Stone throughout his career. In his late seventies' output, the gulf between his humorous songs and more lengthy, complex instrumental music widened, and albums, such as Zappa in New York, Joe's Garage: Acts I, II & III, and Sleep Dirt displayed, by track, both sides firmly segregated.
Zappa saw a second run of success in the early eighties with the release of many albums with predominantly comedic rock songs, but later continued to experiment with virtually every style of music through the eighties, and was productive as ever until his death. His output in this later-career period included two albums of strikingly original classical music with the London Symphony Orchestra, an electronic take on 18th-century chamber music (written by the obscure Italian composer 'Francesco Zappa', no relation), an album of Synclavier compositions (misleadingly titled Jazz From Hell which garnered a Grammy award), a double-CD release of electric guitar instrumental music (the laconically titled Guitar) and a plenitude of official live releases, revisiting fan-favourites as well as showcasing Zappa's talent for reinventing the music of others; his version of Stairway to Heaven becoming a word-of-mouth favourite.
Zappa produced almost all of his own albums, spending many hours in the studio recording and manipulating tracks, and was always at the forefront of emerging technologies; from tape editing, collage, multitrack and overdubbing in the sixties to digital recording, electronic instruments and sampling in the eighties. Conversely, Zappa was also a obsessive self-archivist, recording virtually every one of his live performances, and often using live recordings of new material without needing to enter the studio. The archive of tapes at his family home in Los Angeles continues to be a source of posthumous releases for the Zappa Family Trust. He was also noted as a spotter of talent and his shifting line-up of musicians included Lowell George, Jean-Luc Ponty, Terry Bozzio, Chad Wackerman, George Duke, Mike Keneally, Adrian Belew and Steve Vai, as well as giving Alice Cooper his first break in music and working again with his old collaborator Captain Beefheart when his career was in decline.
In the late 1980s he became active in politics, campaigning against the PMRC's music censorship scheme and acting as culture and trade representative for Czechoslovakia in 1989; and considered running as an independent candidate for president of the US.
His death in Los Angeles, California, on 4th December 1993 came three years after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Dancin' Fool
Frank Zappa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's why I got this song
One of my legs is shorter than the other
N' both my feet's too long
'Course now right along with 'em
I got no natural rhythm
But I go dancin' every night
Hopin' one day I might get it right
Dancin' fool
I hear that beat; I jump outa my seat,
But I can't compete, 'cause I'm a
Dancin' fool, I'm a
Dancin' fool
The disco folks all dressed up
Like they's fit to kill
I walk on in 'n' see 'em there
Gonna give them all a thrill
When they see me comin'
They all steps aside
They has a fit while I commit
My social suicide, I'm a
Dancin' fool, I'm a
Dancin' fool
The beat goes on
And I'm so wrong
The beat goes on
And I'm so wrong
The beat goes on 'n' I'm so wrong
The beat goes on 'n' I'm so wrong
The beat goes on 'n' I'm so wrong
I may be totally wrong, but I'm a
Dancin' fool, I'm a
Dancin' fool
Youwsa, youwsa, youwsa
I got it all together now
With my very own disco clothes, hey!
My shirt's half open, t'show you my chains
N' the spoon for up my nose
I am really somethin'
That's what you'd prob'ly say
So smoke your little smoke
Drink your little drink
While I dance the night away, I'm a
Dancin' fool, I'm a
Dancin' fool,
I may be totally wrong, but I'm a
I may be totally wrong, but I'm a
I may be totally wrong, but I'm a
Fool-uh!
Hey darlin', can I buy ya a drink?
Lookin' for mister goodbar? here he is
Wait a minute, I've got it, you're an italian!
Hah?
Yer Jewish?
Love your nails, you must be a libra
Your place or mine?
The song "Dancin' Fool" by Frank Zappa is a humorous commentary on the disco craze of the late 1970s. The lyrics describe the singer's lack of dancing ability, due to his physical shortcomings and lack of natural rhythm. He goes dancing every night, hoping to get it right, but ultimately feels like a fool on the dance floor. The disco crowd around him is dressed up and ready to impress, but he stands out like a sore thumb with his awkward moves.
The song's key message is that the disco craze was ultimately hollow and meaningless, that it was more about appearance than substance. The singer tries to fit in by dressing up in disco clothes, but his efforts only make him look more ridiculous. Even though he may be completely wrong, he's still a dancing fool and he knows it.
The song's catchy beat, simple lyrics, and memorable chorus made it a hit on the disco scene, despite its satirical message. Zappa's comical delivery and irreverent attitude towards conventional trends and culture made him a cult hero for many young people of the era.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't know much about dancin'
I am not skilled at dancing and do not have any expertise in it.
That's why I got this song
I have created this song to give myself a chance to perform and demonstrate my desire to dance.
One of my legs is shorter than the other
I have an anatomical anomaly in which one leg is shorter than the other.
N' both my feet's too long
Moreover, both my legs are too long for me to dance proficiently.
'Course now right along with 'em
Alongside my physical limitations, I also lack natural rhythm and coordination.
I got no natural rhythm
I am devoid of natural coordination or rhythmic ability, which can improve my dancing.
But I go dancin' every night
Despite my inability to dance properly, I continue to go dancing every night in the hope of improving my skills.
Hopin' one day I might get it right
I wish to perfect my dancing skills, but I am yet to master the art of dancing.
I'm a dancin' fool, I'm a
Even though I am not good at it, I consider myself a dancing enthusiast.
Dancin' fool
I keep dancing, even though I am not good at it.
I hear that beat; I jump outa my seat,
The music's rhythm inspires me to kick up my heels and dance.
But I can't compete, 'cause I'm a
Even though I like dancing, I cannot compete with the other dancers.
The disco folks all dressed up
The other dancers at the disco are appropriately dressed in fashionable clothing for the occasion.
Like they's fit to kill
They dress so well that they look like they would kill to win a dance contest.
I walk on in 'n' see 'em there
I enter the disco and see the other dancers and their finery.
Gonna give them all a thrill
I will give the other dancers a chance to be amused by my less-than-stellar moves.
When they see me comin'
As soon as the other dancers see me, a disheveled and unskilled dancer, they step aside.
They all steps aside
Everyone makes way for me because they don't want to dance alongside me.
They has a fit while I commit
The other dancers are appalled by my sloppy moves.
My social suicide, I'm a
By dancing as badly as I do, I lose all social standing at these events.
The beat goes on
The music continues to play, regardless of my dancing skills.
And I'm so wrong
I dance badly, and my steps are out of sync with the beat.
I may be totally wrong, but I'm a
I may not excel at dancing, but I still proudly consider myself a dancing enthusiast.
Youwsa, youwsa, youwsa
An exclamation expressing emotional excitement, in this case, directed towards dancing.
I got it all together now
I've got my act together and am ready to dance.
With my very own disco clothes, hey!
I am dressed appropriately in my disco clothes for the occasion.
My shirt's half open, t'show you my chains
My shirt is open to display the chains that I like wearing while dancing.
N' the spoon for up my nose
A reference to cocaine or other narcotics that are sometimes used recreationally at dance events.
I am really somethin'
I am confident enough to consider myself significant and extraordinary.
That's what you'd prob'ly say
You would likely compliment and admire me if you saw me dance with such poise.
So smoke your little smoke
I allow indulgences like smoking and drinking to continue without judgment or criticism.
Drink your little drink
I am asking others to enjoy their drinks without any qualms about it.
While I dance the night away
I will be dancing all night, regardless of my skill level or how other people see it.
Fool-uh!
A playful and impulsive way to refer to himself as a foolish person.
Hey darlin', can I buy ya a drink?
An attempt to socialize with a stranger at the dance club.
Lookin' for mister goodbar? here he is
A tongue-in-cheek way of saying he is the guy she has been looking for.
Wait a minute, I've got it, you're an italian!
An attempt to break the ice with humor by referring to her heritage.
Hah?
An exclamation of surprise and disbelief.
Yer Jewish?
A poorly received attempt to guess her religion and heritage.
Love your nails, you must be a libra
An attempt to flatter and guess her zodiac sign based on her nails.
Your place or mine?
An attempt to flirt with and suggest going to a different place together.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Frank Zappa
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@thankmargordon2329
One, two, three, four
I don't know much about dancin'
That's why I got this song
One of my legs is shorter than the other
And both my feet's too long
'Course now right along with 'em
I got no natural rhythm
But I go dancin' every night
Hopin' one day I might get it right
I'm a dancin' fool (dancin' fool)
Dancin' fool
Dancin' fool (dancin' fool)
Dancin' fool
I hear that beat, I jump outa my seat
But I can't compete, 'cause I'm a
Dancin' fool (dancin' fool)
Dancin' fool
The disco folks all dressed up
Like they's fit to kill
I walk on in and see 'em there
I walk on in and see 'em there
When they see me comin'
They all steps aside
They has a fit while I commit
My social suicide, I'm a
Dancin' fool
Dancin' fool
Dancin' fool
Dancin' fool
The beat goes on and I'm so wrong
(Wrong)
The beat goes on and I'm so wrong
(Wrong)
The beat goes on and I'm so wrong
The beat goes on and I'm so wrong
The beat goes on and I'm so wrong
The beat goes on and I'm so wrong
I may be totally wrong
Dancin' fool
I may be totally wrong
Dancin' fool
I got it all together now
With my very own disco clothes, hey
My shirt's half open, just to show you my chain
And the spoon for up my nose
I am really somethin'
That's what you'd probably say
So smoke your little smoke, drink your little drink
While I dance the night away
I'm a dancin' fool (dancin' fool)
Dancin' fool
Dancin' fool (dancin' fool)
Dancin' fool
He's a dancin' fool
I may be totally wrong but I'm a
I may be totally wrong but I'm a
I may be totally wrong but I'm a
I may be totally wrong but I'm a fool, yeah
Say darlin', can I buy ya a drink?
Are you waitin' for Mister Goodbar?
Well, here he is
Wait a minute, I've got it
You're an Italian
You're Jewish?
Love your nails
You must be a Libra
Source: Musixmatch
@WDH59510
You're welcome ...
One, two, three, four
I don't know much about dancin'
That's why I got this song
One of my legs is shorter than the other
And both my feet's too long
'Course now right along with 'em
I got no natural rhythm
But I go dancin' every night
Hopin' one day I might get it right
I'm a dancin' fool (dancin' fool)
Dancin' fool
Dancin' fool (dancin' fool)
Dancin' fool
I hear that beat, I jump outa my seat
But I can't compete, 'cause I'm a
Dancin' fool (dancin' fool)
Dancin' fool
The disco folks all dressed up
Like they's fit to kill
I walk on in and see 'em there
I walk on in and see 'em there
When they see me comin'
They all steps aside
They has a fit while I commit
My social suicide, I'm a
Dancin' fool
Dancin' fool
Dancin' fool
Dancin' fool
The beat goes on and I'm so wrong
(Wrong)
The beat goes on and I'm so wrong
(Wrong)
The beat goes on and I'm so wrong
The beat goes on and I'm so wrong
The beat goes on and I'm so wrong
The beat goes on and I'm so wrong
I may be totally wrong
Dancin' fool
I may be totally wrong
Dancin' fool
I got it all together now
With my very own disco clothes, hey
My shirt's half open, just to show you my chain
And the spoon for up my nose
I am really somethin'
That's what you'd probably say
So smoke your little smoke, drink your little drink
While I dance the night away
I'm a dancin' fool (dancin' fool)
Dancin' fool
Dancin' fool (dancin' fool)
Dancin' fool
He's a dancin' fool
I may be totally wrong but I'm a
I may be totally wrong but I'm a
I may be totally wrong but I'm a
I may be totally wrong but I'm a fool, yeah
Say darlin', can I buy ya a drink?
Are you waitin' for Mister Goodbar?
Well, here he is
Wait a minute, I've got it
You're an Italian
You're Jewish?
Love your nails
You must be a Libra
@QuimBeelivingstone
I will forever be thankful for my dad telling me all about frank when I was a kid. Best dad ever!
@psilocybemusashi
hahaha nice. most younger generation doesn't want to learn anything from the previous generation. i thought the media had you all convinced we are neanderthals. but of course it doesn't make any sense because if that were true what does it mean they are?
@JonathanNelsonOfficial
Raising my five kids on Frank as we speak!
@bravesfan714
Same. My dad and I aren't super close or anything, but I will always be grateful he introduced me to the best of all time. Zappa's music is timeless, and my son will hear it too.
@bennyhillschineseblokechar3689
I am regularly trying to explain the magnificent delights of Z∆pp∆ to friends and acquaintances, with very limited success , the fools!!
@coopersrabbit
Me too
@heidismith2824
I sought this tune after about 40 years, I remember it from being in my teens, my gosh, it's absolutely genius. Didn't appreciate Frank Zappa at the time ❤
@PrimitiveInTheExtreme
What a wonderful song, the space synthesisers are magic!
@bodhisattva71
Greatest song to get stuck in your head!
@SpiritGirlSF
Was a dancin' fool when this song came out, am still a dancin' fool. ❤❤💃💃💃💃💃💃💃❤❤