Get Down
GILBERT O SULLIVAN Lyrics


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Told you once before
And I won't tell you no more
Get down, get down, get down
You're a bad dog, baby
But I still want you around

You give me the creeps
When you jump on your feet
So get down, get down, get down
Keep your hands to yourself
I'm strictly out of bounds

Once upon a time, I drank a little wine
Was as happy as could be, happy as could be
Now I'm just like a cat on a hot tin roof
Baby, what do you think you're doing to me

Told you once before
And I won't tell you no more
So get down, get down, get down
You're a bad dog, baby
But I still want you around, around
I still want you around
Hey hey hey

I don't give a damn
And I'd like you, if you can
To get down, get down, get down
You're a bad dog, baby
But I still want you around

Once upon a time, I drank a little wine
Was as happy as could be, happy as could be
Now I'm just like a cat on a hot tin roof
Baby, what do you think you're doing to me

Told you once before
And I won't tell you no more
So get down, get down, get down
You're a bad dog, baby




But I still want you around, around
I still want you around, mmm

Overall Meaning

In Gilbert O'Sullivan's song "Get Down," the lyrics convey a message to the person he is addressing to get down, stop jumping around, and keep their hands to themselves, as they are a bad dog. While he acknowledges that their behavior gives him the creeps, he still wants them around. The song talks about Gilbert's frustration with the individual and how they are affecting him by comparing himself to a cat on a hot tin roof. He recounts being happy at one point, but now their behavior has gotten to him.


The lyrics have an interesting take on the situation as instead of completely pushing away this individual, Gilbert acknowledges that their company holds value to him, even though their behavior isn't always desirable. The use of the "bad dog" metaphor throughout the song is unique and intriguing, as it portrays the individual as someone who cannot be trusted but is still desired in their company.


Moreover, the use of repetition in the song's lyrics, specifically the line "get down, get down, get down," emphasizes the urgency behind Gilbert's message to the individual to stop their behavior. The lyrics have a playful tone, as Gilbert contrasts his frustration with his willingness to keep the individual around in his life, despite being a bad dog.


Line by Line Meaning

Told you once before
I've already warned you about your behavior


And I won't tell you no more
I'm not going to keep repeating myself


Get down, get down, get down
Stop behaving badly and calm down


You're a bad dog, baby
Your behavior is not acceptable, but I still care for you


But I still want you around
Despite your problems, I still want you in my life


You give me the creeps
Your behavior scares me


When you jump on your feet
Your sudden movements make me nervous


Keep your hands to yourself
Don't touch me


I'm strictly out of bounds
I'm not interested in being in a relationship with you


Once upon a time, I drank a little wine
I used to enjoy life more and feel more carefree


Was as happy as could be, happy as could be
I was very happy and content


Now I'm just like a cat on a hot tin roof
Now I'm constantly on edge and anxious


Baby, what do you think you're doing to me
Your behavior is affecting me in a negative way


I don't give a damn
I don't care


And I'd like you, if you can
I'd appreciate it if you could change your behavior


To get down, get down, get down
To calm down and stop being so wild


I still want you around, around
I still care for you and want you in my life


Hey hey hey
Just an interjection to grab attention




Writer(s): O Sullivan Gilbert, O Sullivan Raymond

Contributed by Claire C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@mutsel598

Told you once before
And I won't tell you no more
Get down, get down, get down
You're a bad dog baby
But I still want you 'round
You give me the creeps
When you jump on your feet
So get down, get down, get down
Keep your hands to yourself
I'm strictly out of bounds
Once upon a time I drank a little wine
Was as happy as could be, happy as could be
Now I'm just like a cat on a hot tin roof
Baby what do you think you're doin' to me
Told you once before
And I won't tell you no more
So get down, get down, get down
You're a bad dog baby
But I still want you 'round, around
I still want you around
I don't give a damn
And I'd like you if you can to
Get down, get down, get down
You're a bad dog baby
But I still want you 'round



@royandjacqueline1294

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!!
Our local radio station
brought us here 📻🎶💖
Absolutely brilliant fantastic.
We ❤️ Gilbert O'Sullivan.
We didn't know that he is Irish
☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️
💓💘💝💖💗💘
💛💙💛💙💛💙
🥰🇯🇲🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🕊️🔥✝️



All comments from YouTube:

@snpok524

This man is musical genius , I cannot understand why he is not revered like Neil Diamond or Paul Simon

@banditmma

he had a falling out with his record company, if it werent for that hewould be as famous as billy joel

@davedzone

Didn't have enough songs.

@davearonow65

Musical Genius? Come ON!
He had some decent songs, this being one of them, but genius, no.
Bach was a musical genius, Beethoven, Mozart, were geniuses. Of you want to talk about modern comparisons being geniuses, then Maybe John Williams, maybe guys like Paul Simon, Brian Wilson and a few others. You want to talk about people like Miles Davis, Oscar Peterson etc. Gilbert O Sullivan's music is on a third grade Nursery Rhyme level of skill compared to any of the above mentioned. Some of the songs are are great but if you are one of the people that like to reserve words like genius for those that truly are, then Gilbert O Sullivan isn't one of them. Not even close.

@richardscally694

Exactly! never given the credit he deserved, immensely talented songwriter.

@markdaly1903

@davedzone he ended up in a prolonged court battle with his ex manager.. Gordon Mills in 1982 and then later he took Biz Markle to court over a sample of Alone again naturally. He won both

33 More Replies...

@clydegilliam7776

Great song! Never get tired of this song!!

@adamsfancy3

I love this song. I remember the good feeling it gave me way back then. Just a great little tune.

@oasis9194

I listened to it on repeat at the time and I still listen to it with as much pleasure 50 years later

@saintmirrenmalky

Seriously catchy song. My uncle worked at the BBC for many years. He met a lot of famous people- some nice, some not so nice. He describes Gilbert O'Sullivan as a "thoroughly brilliant bloke".

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