The song hit the top 10 of the US Pop and R&B charts in Billboard in early 1982. It entered the UK charts in December 1981 and reached number three, their highest-charting hit in the UK at that time. It spent a total of 12 weeks on the British play list. Ten years later, it was re-released in the UK charts – on the Mercury label – but only charted for a week (at number 69).
Get Down On It
Kool & The Gang Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tell me, what you gon' do? Do you wanna get down?
What you gon' do? You wanna get down?
What you gon' do? You wanna get down? Tell me
Get down on it, get down on it
Get down on it, get down on it, come on and
Get down on it, get down on it
How you gonna do it if you really don't wanna dance
By standing on the wall?
(Get your back up off the wall) tell me
How you gonna do it if you really don't wanna dance
By standing on the wall?
(Get your back up off the wall)
'Cause I heard all the people sayin'
Get down on it, come on and
Get down on it, if you really want it
Get down on it, you gotta feel it
Get down on it, get down on it
Get down on it, come on and
Get down on it, baby, baby
Get down on it, get on it
Get down on it
I say people (what?) What you gonna do?
You gotta get on the groove
If you want your body to move, tell me, baby
How you gonna do it if you really don't wanna dance
By standing on the wall?
(Get your back up off the wall) tell me
How you gonna do it if you really won't take a chance
By standing on the wall?
(Get your back up off the wall)
'Cause I heard all the people sayin'
Get down on it, get down on it, get down on it
Get down on it, when you're dancin'
Get down on it, get down on it
Get down on it
Get down on it, sha-baba-daba-doo
What you gon' do? (Uh) do you wanna get down? (Ah)
What you gon' do? (Uh, ah)
Get your back up off the wall
Dance, come on, get your back up off the wall
Dance, come on
Get down on it, come on and
Get down on it, if you really want it
Get down on it, you gotta feel it
Get down on it, get down on it
Get down on it (get down on it), come on and
Get down on it, baby, baby
Get down on it (get down it), get on it
Get down on it
How you gonna do it if you really don't wanna dance
By standing on the wall?
(Get your back up off the wall) tell me, baby
How you gonna do it if you really won't take a chance
By standing on the wall?
(Get your back up off the wall)
Listen, baby
You know it, when you're dancin', yeah
You show it, when you move, move, move
You know it, when you're dancin', yeah
You show it, as you move across the floor
Get down on it, come on and
Get down on it, if you really want it
Get down on it, you gotta feel it
Get down on it, get down on it
Get down on it, come on and
Get down on it, baby, baby
Get down on it, get on it
Get down on it, sha-baba-daba-doo
What you gon' do? (Uh) do you wanna get down? (Ah)
What you gon' do? (Uh, ah)
Get your back up off the wall
Dance, come on, get your back up off the wall
Dance, come on
Get down on it, come on and
Get down on it, if you really want it
Get down on it, you gotta feel it
Get down on it, get down on it
Get down on it, come on and
Get down on it, get down it on
Get down on it, while you're dancin'
Get down on it, get down on it
Get down on it (get down on it)
Get down on it (ooh-ooh ooh yeah)
Get down on it (get down on it)
Get down on it (you move me baby, when you move)
Get down on it (get down on it)
Get down on it, get down
Get down on it, get down on it
Get down on it, get your back up off the wall
Get down on it, get down on it
Get down on it, get down
Get down on it, get down on it
Get down on it, get your back up off the wall
Get down on it, get down
Get down on it
Get down on it, get down on it
Get down on it, get your back up off the wall
"Get Down On It" by Kool & The Gang is a funky dance anthem that encourages people to let loose and get down on the dance floor. The song is an upbeat and fun ode to dancing and encourages listeners to get off the wall and groove to the music. The lyrics of the song ask listeners what they're going to do and if they want to get down. The repetition of the phrase "get down on it" is a call to action, urging listeners to get up and dance.
The chorus of the song is repetitive and catchy, making it a crowd favourite. The verse acknowledges that it may be intimidating to dance in public, but the lyrics urge people to take a chance and get on the floor. The song ends with a call for listeners to get their backs off the wall and dance. The song, although simple, highlights the positive and unifying power of music and dance.
Line by Line Meaning
What you gon' do? You wanna get down?
Asking the listener if they want to dance and get into the groove.
Get down on it, get down on it
Encouragement to dance and get into the rhythm.
How you gonna do it if you really don't wanna dance
By standing on the wall?
Questioning how one can dance and enjoy themselves if they remain passive by standing against the wall.
(Get your back up off the wall) tell me
An instruction to actively participate in the dancing and to leave the wall.
Get down on it, if you really want it
Get down on it, you gotta feel it
Advice to dance with passion and energy if one really wants to get into the groove.
I say people (what?) What you gonna do?
You gotta get on the groove
If you want your body to move, tell me, baby
Urging the listener to join in and get into the groove if they want to start moving their body.
How you gonna do it if you really won't take a chance
By standing on the wall?
Asking how it's possible to dance if one is unwilling to take risks and try new things.
Listen, baby
You know it, when you're dancin', yeah
You show it, when you move, move, move
A statement that when one is dancing and moving their body, their joy and energy can be seen and felt by others around them.
Get down on it, come on and
Get down on it, if you really want it
Get down on it, you gotta feel it
Reiterating the need to actively participate in the dancing and feel the rhythm if one wants to fully enjoy the experience.
What you gon' do? (Uh) do you wanna get down? (Ah)
Get your back up off the wall
Dance, come on
Encouragement to leave the wall, start dancing, and get into the rhythm.
Get down on it, while you're dancin'
Get down on it (get down on it)
Get down on it (ooh-ooh ooh yeah)
More encouragement to dance and enjoy oneself while doing so.
Get down on it (you move me baby, when you move)
Get down on it (get down on it)
Get down on it, get down
Acknowledgment of the power of dancing to connect and move people, with a continued urging to continue dancing.
Get down on it, get down on it
Get down on it, get your back up off the wall
Reiteration of the need to actively participate in the dancing and leave the wall.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Cloud9
Written by: Claydes Smith, Ronald Bell, George Brown, Robert Bell, Eumir Deodato, James Taylor, Robert Mickens
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@CoriSparx
This is what happens when there's so much funk that the camera can't handle it.
@ha5965l
True
@quietreason9667
The real funk and nuthin but da funk
@quietreason9667
This so funky it left a stain on my speakers
@harrycooke6349
😅
@crumboy7743
I legit thought there was something wrong with my phone
@Dan.d649
It never gets old. A prime example of "up-beat", lively, and great energetic music. This is a timeless masterpiece by a band that knows how to put them together. A class act Kool and the Gang always was. True legends in the music industry.
@williemnatzakanian3345
Featuring JT Taylor on lead vocals
@whatsfordinner62
Its real feel good music. It really inspires the listener to move to it.
@MundiaKamau
Well put.