When We Get Married
Joe Bataan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning | Line by Line Meaning
When we get married we'll have a big celebration
Send invitations to all our friends and relations
We'll have a ball, dancing and all
When we get married.
When the bells ring and tell the world I'm taking your hand
Folks from all over will come to see the wedding we've planned
We'll have a ball, dancing and all
When we get married (when we get married).
we'll have a time
(We'll dance and dine) and darling, we'll be oh so gay--mm
(We'll have a ball) we'll have a ball
(Dancing and all) and darling we'll be in love
Just wait and see--our wedding day is not very far
Old folks will whisper and say how lovely we both are
We'll have a ball, dancing and all-l-l
When we get married (oh) mm-mm-mm (oh, oh, oh, oh)
The lyrics to Joe Bataan's "When We Get Married" speaks of the excitement and anticipation of future nuptials. The first verse of the song talks about the plans for a celebratory wedding. There is an intention to make it a grand celebration and send out invitations to friends and family. The second verse speaks on taking the hand of the partner and the anticipation of having an audience coming from all over to see the wedding that is being planned. The chorus of the song once again reiterates the desire to have an unforgettable time, with lots of dancing and joy to be shared by both partners.
The lyrics themselves are incredibly insightful as they articulate the shared dream of many couples in love -- to have the ultimate celebration of their union. The idea of inviting people, dancing, and having a good time is something that resonates with many, and Joe Bataan captures this feeling so excellently in the lyrics. The song is representative of the joyous and celebratory nature of traditional marriage, where it was common for people to invite everyone they knew to be a part of the big day.
Line by Line Meaning
Darlin' oh-oh-oh
Term of endearment expressing affection
When we get married we'll have a big celebration
The speaker and their partner plan on having a large wedding celebration
Send invitations to all our friends and relations
Guests will be invited to the wedding celebration
We'll have a ball, dancing and all
The wedding celebration will include dancing and fun
When the bells ring and tell the world I'm taking your hand
The speaker and their partner will get married in a public ceremony
Folks from all over will come to see the wedding we've planned
Many guests will attend the wedding ceremony
we'll have a time
The wedding celebration will be enjoyable
(We'll dance and dine) and darling, we'll be oh so gay--mm
The speaker and their partner will enjoy themselves and be happy during the celebration
(We'll have a ball) we'll have a ball
The wedding celebration will be fun and enjoyable
(Dancing and all) and darling we'll be in love
The speaker and their partner will be in love during the wedding celebration
Just wait and see--our wedding day is not very far
The wedding date is approaching soon
Old folks will whisper and say how lovely we both are
Elderly guests will compliment the bride and groom at the wedding
We'll have a ball, dancing and all-l-l
The wedding celebration will include fun and dancing
When we get married (oh) mm-mm-mm (oh, oh, oh, oh)
Repeating the desire to have a fun, joyous wedding celebration
Writer(s): Donald Hogan
Contributed by Isabelle B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Born Peter Nitollano, of African-American/Filipino parents, Joe Bataan grew up in Spanish Harlem, where he ran with Puerto Rican gangs and absorbed R&B, Afro-Cuban and Afro-Rican musical influences. His music career followed a pair of stints in Coxsackie State Prison. Self taught on the piano, he organized his first band in 1965 and scored his first recording success in 1967 with "Gypsy Woman" on Fania Records, . The tune was a hit with the New York Latin market despite the English lyrics sung by Joe, and exemplified the nascent Latin Soul sound. In early anticipation of the disco formula, "Gypsy Woman" created dance energy by alternating what was fundamentally a pop-soul tune with a break featuring double timed hand claps, . Joe would take this tendency even further on his influential Salsoul, which fused funk and latin influences in slick yet soulful orchestrations. Salsoul remains influential as a rare groove cult item, but pointed to the future at the time of its release. The LP embodied the artist's highly deliberate and culturally aware musical concept. Bataan theorized the '70s next big thing as a hybrid: an Afro Cuban rhythm section playing Brazilian influenced patterns over orchestral funk. In many ways, his vision was on the money, though most of the money would go to others, and mainstream stardom would elude him. He did, however, get in on the ground floor of the new trend as an early hit maker. His biggest commercial move was a Salsoul production released under the Epic umbrella, and promoted to the new disco market as Afrofilipino, which included 1975's "The Bottle", a much anthologized classic that drives an R&B horn arrangment with a relentless piano montuno.
Always in touch with the street, Joe Bataan picked up on rap very early in the game. His minor rap hit, "Rap-O, Clap-O" was a bit more successful in Europe than in the States, and is remembered as rap's debut in the European market. Nevertheless, his legacy remains his gritty and realistic Latin soul lyrics, his self identification as an "Ordinary Guy", and his highly personal and prophetic merger of Latin and soul influences.
Jessica M
This rola will be playing the day I get married in three months can't wait I'll be slow dancing with my best friend my husband I'll be crying but tears of joy can't wait
Fest Smith
Yeah Joe! True doowop style ! To sweet !!!๐
Zev Feldman
beautiful
Mark Scorse
This song was produce with love...
Marlene Sebazco
It said it all - too bad some people can't keep their word...
Luke Mora
Firme song