Witnesses Lyrics

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First you say hello!
Then ya get mellow!
Mustn't be lazy!
Gotta be crazy!
Once you get started
This is what'll happen to you

Ya shake it an' ya break it an' ya, Oh Babe

Ya knock it an' ya rock it an' ya, Oh Babe
Ya swing it an' ya sing it an' ya, Oh Babe
Ya skip it an' ya dip it an' ya, Oh Babe
The world turns upside down
When ya holler Oh Babe.
Ya wiggle an' ya giggle an' ya, Oh Babe
Ya shuffle an' ya scuffle an' ya, Oh Babe
Ya romp it an' ya stomp it an' ya, Oh Babe
Ya move it an' ya groove it an' ya, Oh Babe
The world turns upside down
When ya holler Oh Babe

Ya shake it an' ya break it an' ya, Oh Babe
Ya knock it an' ya rock it an' ya, Oh Babe
Ya swing it an' ya sing it an' ya, Oh Babe
Ya skip it an' ya dip it an' ya, Oh Babe
The world turns upside down
When ya holler Oh Babe.

Oh Babe!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Keely Smith's song "Oh Babe" are all about letting go and having a good time. The singer urges their listener to start by greeting everyone with a friendly hello, but then to let loose and get crazy. They emphasize the importance of not being lazy, possibly reflecting a sense of urgency to enjoy life to the fullest. Once you get started, the singer warns, "this is what'll happen to you." This line implies that once you start having fun and letting go, there's no going back - you'll be fully and irreversibly caught up in the moment.

The titular phrase "Oh Babe" serves as a refrain, punctuating each verse with its infectious positivity. The following lines describe a range of physical movements that accompany the feeling of letting loose and having fun: shaking and breaking, knocking and rocking, swinging and singing. The use of alliteration creates a sense of energy and momentum, while the playful rhymes add to the song's carefree tone. The bridge, "The world turns upside down when ya holler Oh Babe," suggests that the singer's message is universal: having fun and being carefree can be a powerful force that can turn the world on its head - at least, temporarily. Overall, Keely Smith's "Oh Babe" is a song that encourages its listeners to embrace the moment and enjoy life to the fullest.

Line by Line Meaning

First you say hello!
Start off with a greeting!

Then ya get mellow!
Relax and loosen up!

Mustn't be lazy!
Don't be idle!

Gotta be crazy!
You need to be wild and adventurous!

Once you get started
Once you begin dancing

This is what'll happen to you
You will feel the energy and excitement of moving to the beat!

Ya shake it an' ya break it an' ya, Oh Babe
Move your body in any way you can!

Ya knock it an' ya rock it an' ya, Oh Babe
Get into the rhythm and enjoy it!

Ya swing it an' ya sing it an' ya, Oh Babe
Sway your hips and sing along with the music!

Ya skip it an' ya dip it an' ya, Oh Babe
Jump, bend and twist to the sound!

The world turns upside down
Your surroundings feel different when you dance!