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Dix-a-Billy
LaVern Baker Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

San Francisco To Chicago
Right through Philly
New York's doing Dix-A-Billy

Dressed in dirty white bucks
And blue jeans, New Orleans
The kids are doing a dance they call a Dix-A-Billy

They don't need a real dance floor
They just scatter some straw
And then they get a trombone to wail a Dix-A-Billy

See them groovin
Really movin'
Man alive-in'
Hands a'jivin Dix-A-Billy

Take a honky-tonk piano
Played in a southern manner
Make it rock with a northern beat a Dix-A-Billy

Watch them struttin' and kickin'
It beats doin' the chicken
No one leaves til the rooster crows a Dix-A-Billy

Hear that singin'
Feel that rhythm
Love that music
They're all doing Dix-A-Billy

Dix-A-Billy
Dix-A-Billy
Oh
Dix-A-Billy
Dix-A-Billy

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to LaVern Baker's song Dix-A-Billy are about a dance craze called the Dix-A-Billy that is taking over various cities in the United States. The song describes how the dance is done by kids who are dressed in "dirty white bucks and blue jeans" and takes place in various locations, from San Francisco to Chicago, and even in the streets of New York City. The song paints a vivid picture of the dance, with lyrics like "They don't need a real dance floor, they just scatter some straw, and then they get a trombone to wail a Dix-A-Billy" and "Watch them struttin' and kickin', it beats doin' the chicken". The Dix-A-Billy is described as a fun and energetic dance, with the lyrics "See them groovin', really movin', man alive-in', hands a'jivin Dix-A-Billy."


The song also describes the music associated with the Dix-A-Billy dance, which incorporates elements of both southern and northern blues music. The lyrics say "Take a honky-tonk piano, played in a southern manner, make it rock with a northern beat a Dix-A-Billy." The Dix-A-Billy dance is presented as an alternative to other popular dances at the time, such as "the chicken", with lyrics like "It beats doin' the chicken, no one leaves til the rooster crows a Dix-A-Billy". Overall, the song celebrates the fun and excitement of the Dix-A-Billy dance craze, and how it is bringing people together across different cities and music styles.


Line by Line Meaning

San Francisco To Chicago
The Dix-A-Billy dance trend has spread from San Francisco to Chicago.


Right through Philly
The Dix-A-Billy trend has also spread through Philadelphia.


New York's doing Dix-A-Billy
Even New York is participating in the Dix-A-Billy dance trend.


Dressed in dirty white bucks
The dancers are wearing dirty white bucks shoes and blue jeans.


And blue jeans, New Orleans
The dancers are also wearing blue jeans in New Orleans.


The kids are doing a dance they call a Dix-A-Billy
The younger generation has created and named the dance style Dix-A-Billy.


They don't need a real dance floor
The dancers can perform Dix-A-Billy on any surface, they don't need a proper dance floor.


They just scatter some straw
To recreate the ambiance of the South, the dancers put some straw on the floor.


And then they get a trombone to wail a Dix-A-Billy
When they've set the scene, they use a trombone to play the Dix-A-Billy music.


See them groovin
Observe them moving in a stylish and jazzy manner.


Really movin'
They're really into the rhythm of the music.


Man alive-in'
They're very much alive during the dance.


Hands a'jivin Dix-A-Billy
The hand motions during the dance are a key part of the Dix-A-Billy style.


Take a honky-tonk piano
As an instrument, the honky-tonk piano is essential to the Dix-A-Billy style.


Played in a southern manner
The way the honky-tonk piano is played adheres to Southern music traditions.


Make it rock with a northern beat a Dix-A-Billy
The piano is played using a northern beat to provide a contrast and unique sound to Dix-A-Billy.


Watch them struttin' and kickin'
The dance involves strutting and kicking, watch them in motion.


It beats doin' the chicken
The Dix-A-Billy dance style is much better than doing the chicken dance.


No one leaves til the rooster crows a Dix-A-Billy
The dancers will not stop dancing until the rooster crows, which is an early morning indicator of time in the South.


Hear that singin'
Listen to the music being sung to Dix-A-Billy.


Feel that rhythm
The rhythm of Dix-A-Billy can be felt and enjoyed.


Love that music
The Dix-A-Billy music is beloved by the dancers.


They're all doing Dix-A-Billy
Everyone who participates in the dance is doing Dix-A-Billy.


Dix-A-Billy
The name of the dance.


Dix-A-Billy
The name of the dance.


Oh
An expression of joy or delight.


Dix-A-Billy
The name of the dance.


Dix-A-Billy
The name of the dance.




Writer(s): Jack Reardon, Paul Evans, Woody Harris

Contributed by Liliana F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Zodija

You said it! I have a very well worn record that proves how much I've loved this song over the decades. I'd be hard pressed to remember what I had for lunch today, but I could sing along with this song from beginning to end! :)

Jim Tewes

Great B-side of "I Cried A Tear", her highest charted record. Why this wasn't a two-sided hit is beyond me. Thanks for the great post.

aycan taneri

My favourite Lavern song !

christopher hobbs

AQ LOVE IT

julie flaxman

many thanks one of my favorites cheers neil

Clemente Vergara

SOoOOOooo good! thanks!

Falo Naitsab

great! thanks :)

joe blow

I've heard that tune set to different lyrics. But it escapes me at the moment.

Steven Wells

The Kalin Twins "When"

david wells

@Steven Wells agreed.

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