C'mon And Swim
Freeman Bobby Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bobby said he wants to see you, do the swim
It's kinda like the monkey, kinda like the twist
Pretend you're in the water and you go like this
Now baby swim, baby do the swim
Do what you want, girl, do like you wish
Now baby swim, baby, do the swim
Kinda like the dog but not so low
Like the hully gully but not so slow
Now baby swim, baby, do the swim
Shake it up baby, twist and shout
Do the swim, girl, now work it on out
Now baby swim, baby, do the swim
Do what you wanna do, it's alright
Bobby said he wants to see you swim tonight
Now baby swim
C'mon baby, I want you to swim
Do what you want, girl, it's alright
Bobby said he wants to see you swim tonight
Now baby, swim
C'mon baby, I want you to swim
The song "C'mon and Swim" is a fun and upbeat dance tune by Freeman Bobby. The lyrics are an invitation to join the dance floor and learn a new dance - the swim. Bobby encourages everyone to come in and follow his lead, emphasizing that the swim is easy and fun to do. He compares the movements of the swim to those of other popular dances like the twist and hully gully, making it easier for people to understand how to do it. Bobby even encourages dancing like a fish - just letting loose and doing what feels right.
Overall, the song celebrates the joy of dancing and encourages listeners to let go and have fun. The lyrics and upbeat tempo of the music create an atmosphere of excitement and energy that is sure to get people moving on the dancefloor. Although the swim may not be as popular today as it was when the song was released in the 1960s, the lyrics and unique dance moves are still nostalgic and enjoyable for those who remember dancing to the song during its initial release.
Line by Line Meaning
C'mon everybody, c'mon in
Let's gather and get ready for some fun.
Bobby's gonna show you how to do the swim
I'll teach you a new dance move called 'swim'.
Kinda like the monkey, kinda like the twist
It involves some moves that are similar to the monkey and twist dance steps.
Pretend you're in the water and you go like this
Picture yourself in a pool and move your body accordingly.
Now baby swim, baby do the swim
Let's get started, do the swim like I showed you.
Just like the dog but not so low
One move is like a dog paddle, but not as close to the water.
Like the hully gully but not so slow
Another move is like the hully gully, but not as leisurely.
Do what you want to, do like you wish
Don't be afraid to interpret it your own way, have fun!
C'mon baby now and swim like a fish
You can be as smooth and agile as a fish while doing the swim.
Shake it up baby twist and shout
Let's add some excitement and energy to the dance with some shaking and shouting.
Now do the swim baby now work it on out
Let's keep moving and grooving with the dance.
Do what you want to, it's alright
Again, don't worry about getting every move right, just do what feels good.
Bobby's gonna show you how to swim tonight
I'll be your instructor and we're going to have a blast.
C'mon baby, I want you to swim
Come on, let's keep the party going by showing off your swim moves.
Oh yeah, do the dog paddle baby
Let's bring back the dog paddle move, it's a fun one!
Now do the backstroke
Time to switch it up and try the backstroke move.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Sylvester Stewart, Thomas F Iii Coman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
hebneh
A veritable go-go frenzy! I heartily appreciate that most of the dancers are actually doing the Swim in these clips.
Leo Boogie
In my opinion -worth 2 cents--This is the greatest Pop music recording session ever Fools everyone where you think it will go the Green Onions Segway--The wild guitar that's organized yet improvised--the screaming horns & The Vocal/Drums breaks at insane locations I dare anyone to challenge this song/vocal/arrangement Just my take on it--Peace to All!
Dr. James Olack
Totally agreeing with your take on this brilliantly done piece…..4 years after the fact.
aber00all
Great editing job! You really have nice sensibilities as well as a feel for the 60's. I emailed her to tell her about this vid and how well it captures what that time period in America felt like. This was it.
sauquoit13456
On this day in 1964 {September 23rd} Bobby Freeman performed "C'mon and Swim" on the ABC-TV program 'Shindig!'...
Exactly one month earlier on August 23rd it had peaked at #5 {for 2 weeks} and it stayed on the chart for 12 weeks...
The song was written and produced by Sylvester Stewart, who was later known as Sly Stone of the group Sly and the Family Stone...
Between 1958 and 1964 he had nine Top 100 records; two made the Top 10, and his other Top 10 record also peaked at #5, "Do You Want to Dance" in 1958...
His record that succeeded "C'mon and Swim' on the Top 100 was "S-W-I-M"; it was also his ninth and last charted record
Mr22thou
I was going to mention Sly Stone's contribution. But you got to it first...and by 7 years. Great stuff!
spurmarks
Love it! That was my era.
Andre AlPorter
Bobby Freeman was one of the best African American soul singers that recorded. Sure pleasure to work with him in his later years.
Walter Fechter
Boss and king tone, baby! Marta Kristen was the reason why I watched Lost In Space. Man, even Alan Young (Wilbur on TVs Mr. Ed) was into this dance! Great dance clips from movies I remember seeing in my misspent youth. Some of the best years and sounds of my life! Whenever Gilligan screwed up (which was almost all the time) The Skipper would wring his hands and utter these immortal words, "Doh, Gilligan!"
Mark Muffs
+Walter Fechter the old man at :46 and 2:10 is silent film star Buster Keaton (1895-1966) who never lost his knack for comedy.