Slap That Bass
Fred Astaire / Ginger Rogers Lyrics
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The world is in a mess
With politics and taxes
And people grinding axes
There's no happiness
Zoom zoom, zoom zoom
Rhythm lead your ace
If I can only get me
Someone to slap that bass
Happiness is not a riddle
When I'm listening to that
Big bass fiddle
Slap that bass
Slap it till it's dizzy
Slap that bass
Keep the rhythm busy
Zoom zoom zoom
Misery, you've got to go
Slap that bass
Use it like a tonic
Slap that bass
Keep your Philharmonic
Zoom zoom zoom
And the milk and honey'll flow
Dictators would be better off
If they zoom zoom now and then
Today, you can see that the happiest men
All got rhythm
In which case
If you want a bauble
Slap that bass
Slap away your trouble
Learn to zoom zoom zoom
Slap that bass
The song Slap That Bass by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers was composed by the legendary brothers, George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin, for the 1937 musical film, Shall We Dance. The song is a playful and upbeat tune that focuses on the idea that music has the power to bring joy and happiness to people. Astaire sings about the various problems in the world, including politics, taxes, and people grinding axes, but then suggests that all of these issues can be overcome by music, specifically by the sound of a big bass fiddle. He urges the listener to "slap that bass" and keep the rhythm busy, so that the misery can go away and happiness can flow like milk and honey.
Throughout the song, Astaire uses zoom zoom as a playful and rhythmic refrain, which not only adds to the catchy tune but also reflects the theme of music as a powerful force that can lift people's spirits. The song also makes a subtle political statement, as Astaire suggests that even dictators would be better off if they took some time to "zoom zoom" and listen to music.
Overall, Slap That Bass is an enjoyable and upbeat song that showcases the musical talents of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, as well as the compositional genius of the Gershwin brothers. It is a testament to the power of music to bring joy and happiness to people's lives, even in the midst of difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
Zoom zoom, zoom zoom
Let's go, speed it up
The world is in a mess
Everything is chaotic
With politics and taxes
Government issues and financial burdens
And people grinding axes
Individuals arguing and fighting
There's no happiness
Nobody is content
Rhythm lead your ace
Let the beat guide you
The future doesn't fret me
I'm unconcerned about what's ahead
If I can only get me
If only I could have
Someone to slap that bass
A bass player to set the groove
Happiness is not a riddle
Being happy isn't a mystery
When I'm listening to that
When I'm hearing the sound of that
Big bass fiddle
Deep-toned stringed instrument
Slap that bass
Play that bass with force
Slap it till it's dizzy
Hit it until it's spinning
Slap that bass
Get that instrument thumping
Keep the rhythm busy
Don't let the tempo slow
Zoom zoom zoom
Let's keep it moving
Misery, you've got to go
Unhappiness needs to leave
Use it like a tonic
Utilize it as a cure
Keep your Philharmonic
Maintain your orchestra
And the milk and honey'll flow
Good things will come
Dictators would be better off
Leaders would be happier
If they zoom zoom now and then
If they let loose once in a while
Today, you can see that the happiest men
Presently, it's clear that the most joyful people
All got rhythm
Have a sense of beat
In which case
In that scenario
If you want a bauble
If you desire a frivolous item
Slap that bass
Play that low-frequency instrument loud
Slap away your trouble
Strike those notes to relieve your stress
Learn to zoom zoom zoom
Get better at going fast
Slap that bass
Get that deep sound pulsing
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., RALEIGH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: GEORGE GERSHWIN, IRA GERSHWIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@cggrizzlyb92hd35
Arthur Fleck: Hey Arthur, you're a really good dancer. I know. You know who's not? Him. 💥🔫
Penny Fleck: Happy, what was that are you okay?!
Arthur: What?!
Penny: That noise did you hear that noise?!
Arthur: I am watching an old war movie!
Penny: Turn it down!
Arthur: Oh. Sorry Mom.
@ladymidnight4282
Lyrics
(Verse)
Zoom zoom zoom zoom
The world is in a mess
With politics and taxes
And people grinding axes
There's no happiness
Zoom zoom zoom zoom
Rhythm, lead your ace
The future doesn't fret me
If I can only get me
Someone to slap that bass
Happiness is not a riddle
When I'm listening to that big bass fiddle
(Chorus)
Slap that bass
Slap it till it's dizzy
Slap that bass
Keep the rhythm busy
Zoom zoom zoom
Misery, you got to go
Slap that bass
Use it like a tonic
Sleep that bass
Keep your philharmonic
Zoom zoom zoom
And the milk and honey'll flow
Dictators would be better off
If they zoom-zoomed now and then
Today you can see that the happiest men
All got rhythm
In which case
If you want to bubble
Slap that bass
Slap away your trouble
Learn to zoom zoom zoom
Slap that bass
@DravicPL
"What's your name?"
"Arthur"
"You're a very good dancer."
"I know."
[...]
"Wanna know who's not? Him."
💥
@davide.9576
HEY WHAT'S YOUR NAME
@oohoooooh
Sorry mom!
@GankiaSFM
@@oohoooooh I'M WATCHING AN OLD WAR MOVIE
@gracebenjamin5548
😂
@OLD_SOUL1900
Back during The Great Depression, music is what lifted the heavy hearts and weakened souls of the people who endured hardships and pain brought forth by the stock market crash in October of 1929. Today, the noise that they call "music" doesn't do a thing for me, except give a jarring headache! Fred Astaire was influential and had a big part in morale-boosting, so to speak...so when you're feeling blue at midnight, sit back and let these men sing about the reality of the world and what needs to be done for a change to bring happiness, let their voice ring in your ears! Let Fred's tapping beat and sophisticated rhythm fill your heart and soul, let despair float away, tell misery to go! SLAP THAT BASS!
@wristrisk502
"I'm watching an old war movie!"
@wanwanwan5405
turn it down！
@elemrxy7165
sorry mooooom
@pickettpride6980
🤣🤣🤣