I Gotta Know
Jackson Wanda Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But all you ever do is dance, dance, dance
So I boppity bop the whole night long
To the knocked-out music of a jukebox song
One thing I gotta know, I gotta know, I gotta know
If our love's the real thing, where's my weddin' ring?
Yes, we rocked and rolled till the broad daylight
I know you've had it when the rockin' is through
So I let you go home, what else could I do?
One thing I gotta know
Well, I thought that you were wantin' romance
When you're on that floor you're cool man, cool
But when it comes to lovin' you need to go to school
You know I'm longin' for a weddin' day
But all you ever do is play, boy play
One thing I gotta know
These lyrics describe the frustration of the singer, who is questioning the sincerity of her partner's love. The song starts with the singer expressing her disappointment, as she had expected her partner to want romance, but all he seems to care about is dancing. She sings that she is constantly dancing to the jukebox music, while questioning if their love is genuine since there has been no proposal or wedding ring.
In the next verse, the singer describes how they have been partying all night, but her partner is too tired to show affection at the end of it. She acknowledges that her partner may be done with the partying, and so she lets him go home. However, the lack of intimacy and commitment in their relationship still bothers her.
In the final verse, the singer expresses her desire for a serious and committed relationship. She describes how her partner may be cool on the dance floor, but in terms of love, he needs to learn how to "go to school." She longs for a wedding day, but all her partner does is play around, leading her to question the sincerity of his love once again.
Overall, the lyrics convey the frustration and disappointment of the singer, who desires a deeper and more meaningful relationship but is unsure if her partner shares the same feelings.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I thought that you were wantin' romance
I believed that you desired a loving, committed relationship
But all you ever do is dance, dance, dance
Instead, you only seem interested in partying and dancing
So I boppity bop the whole night long
I dance along with you all night
To the knocked-out music of a jukebox song
Until we're dancing to the lively beats of the jukebox
One thing I gotta know, I gotta know, I gotta know
I have a burning question that needs answering
If our love's the real thing, where's my weddin' ring?
I question the authenticity of our love if there is no sign of a commitment or plans for marriage
Yes, we rocked and rolled till the broad daylight
We danced energetically until the morning light
You're a little too pooped to kiss your baby goodnight
You're too tired to show affection towards me before leaving
I know you've had it when the rockin' is through
I understand that you're worn out after all the dancing
So I let you go home, what else could I do?
I accepted that you needed to leave and let you go
Well, I thought that you were wantin' romance
Again, I believed that you wanted a genuine relationship
When you're on that floor you're cool man, cool
You appear confident and attractive while dancing
But when it comes to lovin' you need to go to school
However, you lack understanding or skills when it comes to love and relationships
You know I'm longin' for a weddin' day
I desire to get married to you
But all you ever do is play, boy play
Yet you continue to focus on having fun and partying instead of building a future together
One thing I gotta know
Once again, I have a pressing question that I need to ask
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Thelma Blackmon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@carolgalindo5916
Well I thought that you were a wantin' romance
But all you ever do is dance dance dance
So I boppity bop the whole night long to the knocked out music of a jukebox song
One thing I gotta know I gotta know I gotta know
If our love's the real thing where's my weddin' ring
Yes we rocked and rolled till the broad daylight
You're a little too pooped to kiss your baby goodnight
I know you've had it when the rockin' is through
So I let you go home what else could I do
One thing I gotta know ...
Well I thought that you were a wantin' romance...
When you're on that floor you're cool man cool
But when it comes to lovin' you need to go to school
You know I'm longin' for a weddin' day but all you ever do is play boy play
One thing I gotta know ...
@dianahayse1095
The great Wanda Jackson!!! Love this!!!
@NiteDriv3r
THIS SOUNDS VERY GREAT QUALITY FOR THE 50S THE WAY SHE SWITCHES FROM COUNTRY TO ROCKABILLY/ROCK N ROLL IT STILL HOLDS UP
@icollectstuff-vinylcommuni7294
Damn fine Hillbilly/Rockabilly by Wanda! My vinyl record is wraped.
@WilliamFord972
The Queen of Rockabilly
@danielalejandroalarconcoya7931
Son buenísimas las canciones con cambio de ritmo
@carolgalindo5916
Well I thought that you were a wantin' romance
But all you ever do is dance dance dance
So I boppity bop the whole night long to the knocked out music of a jukebox song
One thing I gotta know I gotta know I gotta know
If our love's the real thing where's my weddin' ring
Yes we rocked and rolled till the broad daylight
You're a little too pooped to kiss your baby goodnight
I know you've had it when the rockin' is through
So I let you go home what else could I do
One thing I gotta know ...
Well I thought that you were a wantin' romance...
When you're on that floor you're cool man cool
But when it comes to lovin' you need to go to school
You know I'm longin' for a weddin' day but all you ever do is play boy play
One thing I gotta know ...
@ghostofreagan3181
A true mix of rockabilly and country
@daleoliver289
I think this is her first.rockabilly song, She was transitioning from country to rock. Song starts with a country riff. And the chorus is typical country instrument and with her country twang. The songs message and theme is tradition man woman roles. She became more more confident and absorbed more over time. Her relationship with Elvis..he mentored her. She became more bold . Does any one know if Lorretta was an influence? When did Lorretta start doing bold country songs from a Strong, independent Womans..my way or the highway feelings???
@juliereminiec4937
Wasn't rockabilly a combination of Rock & Hillbilly ( country) ?
@chaunche81
Such a clever arrangement. One of the first fast slow fast rock & roll formula songs that was later made famous by the Pixies and even later Nirvana. Such a great innovator this woman was. She is one of the most underrated people of rock n roll. Too bad that the patriarchy led label/industry of the time pushed her to play the role of playing housewife rocker instead of leaning into her true rebel attitude.