Play That Funky Music
Leif Garrett Lyrics


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Hey, do it now
Yeah, hey

Hey, Once I was a boogie singer playin' in a Rock and Roll Band
I never had no problems, yeah
Burnin' down one night stands
And everything around me, yeah
Got to stop to feelin' so low And I decided quickly (Yes I did)
To disco down and check out the show
Yeah, they was dancin' and singin' and movin' to the groovin'
And just when it hit me somebody turned around and shouted
Play that funky music white boy
Play that funky music right
Play that funky music white boy
Lay down the boogie and play that funky music till you die
Till you die
Oh ya, ya

I tried to understand this
I thought that they were out of their minds
How could I be so foolish (How could I)
To not see I was the one behind
So still I kept on fighting
Well, losing every step of the way
I said, I must go back there (I got to go back)
And check to see if things still the same
Yeah they was dancin' and singin' and movin' to the groovin'
And just when it hit me somebody turned around and shouted
Play that funky music white boy
Play that funky music right
Play that funky music white boy
Lay down the boogie and play that funky music till you die
Till you die, ya
Till you die

(Gonna play that electified funky music, yeah)

(Hey, wait a minute)
Now first it wasn't easy
Changin' Rock and Roll and minds and things were getting shaky
I thought I'd have to leave it behind
But now it's so much better (it's so much better)
I'm funking out in every way
But I'll never lose that feelin' (no I won't)
Of how I learned my lesson that day
When they were dancin' and singin' and movin' to the groovin'
And just when it hit me somebody turned around and shouted
Play that funky music white boy
Play that funky music right
Play that funky music white boy
Lay down the boogie and play that funky music till you die
Till you die
Oh' till you die

They shouted play that funky music
(Play that funky music)
Play that funky music
(You Gotta keep on playin' funky music)
Play that funky music
(Play that funky music)
Play that funky music
(Come and take you higher, ya)
Play that funky music white boy
Play that funky music right, ya
Play that funky music white boy
Play that funky music right




Play that funky music white boy
Play that funky music right

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Leif Garrett's song "Play That Funky Music (White Boy)" tell the story of a former "boogie singer" who played in a rock and roll band. Despite never having problems before, the singer suddenly finds himself feeling low and decides to check out a disco show. There, he sees people "dancin' and singin' and movin' to the groovin'" and is suddenly inspired to "disco down." When someone in the crowd yells "play that funky music white boy," the singer feels reborn and starts playing funky music instead of rock and roll.


The singer of the song then tried to understand why he was suddenly feeling so low and realized that he was the one behind it all. He decides to go back to the disco show to see if things are still the same, and he finds that they are. He then embraces funk music, and although it wasn't easy changing his style, he is now "funking out in every way." He will never lose the feeling of how he learned his lesson that day.


The song's message is about breaking free from one's past and embracing new experiences. It's about learning from one's mistakes and being open to change. This song was a popular hit in the 70s and continues to be a favorite among music lovers around the world.


Line by Line Meaning

Hey, do it now
Encouraging someone to take action immediately.


Once I was a boogie singer playin' in a Rock and Roll Band
I used to be a singer and performer in a rock and roll band that played boogie music.


I never had no problems, yeah
I never had any significant issues or worries.


Burnin' down one night stands
Had a lot of success in short-term gigs such as one-night shows.


And everything around me, yeah
Everything around me, including the people and environment surrounding me.


Got to stop to feelin' so low
I had to put an end to feeling down and depressed.


And I decided quickly (Yes I did)
I made a prompt decision.


To disco down and check out the show
I decided to change my style to a disco theme and see how the audience reacts.


Yeah, they was dancin' and singin' and movin' to the groovin'
There were people dancing, singing, and joining the funk rhythm.


And just when it hit me somebody turned around and shouted
Suddenly, someone turned around and shouted at me.


Play that funky music white boy
The person shouted and requested me to play funky music, even though I'm a white boy.


Play that funky music right
The person was making sure that I play the funky music correctly so that the audience can enjoy it.


Lay down the boogie and play that funky music till you die
Keep on playing the funky, groovy music till you're out of breath or dead.


I tried to understand this
I did my best to comprehend and figure out the situation.


I thought that they were out of their minds
I believed that the audience was insane and illogical.


How could I be so foolish (How could I)
I felt ridiculous and naive for thinking that way.


To not see I was the one behind
I didn't realize that I was the one who needed to change my style of music and adapt to my audience.


So still I kept on fighting
I was still resisting the change and putting up a fight.


Well, losing every step of the way
Despite my best efforts, I was losing at every turn.


I said, I must go back there (I got to go back)
I realized that I needed to go back to the audience and try again.


And check to see if things still the same
I wanted to see if the audience's preference had stayed the same.


They was dancin' and singin' and movin' to the groovin'
I found the audience still enjoying the music and dancing to the beat.


And just when it hit me somebody turned around and shouted
Again, when I least expected it, someone shouted at me.


Gonna play that electified funky music, yeah
I'm going to play funk music that's electrifying, upbeat, and lively.


Now first it wasn't easy
Initially, it was difficult and daunting.


Changin' Rock and Roll and minds and things were getting shaky
The transition from rock and roll to funk music was a challenge and things were unstable.


I thought I'd have to leave it behind
I considered giving up on funk music altogether.


But now it's so much better (it's so much better)
However, things have improved and jazzing it up in every possible way.


I'm funking out in every way
I'm playing funky music to the fullest extent and loving it.


But I'll never lose that feelin' (no I won't)
But I'll never lose the sense of guilt and regret that I felt earlier.


Of how I learned my lesson that day
The lesson I learned when the audience first shouted to me to play funk music.


They shouted play that funky music
The audience is once again shouting to play funky music.


You Gotta keep on playin' funky music
I must keep on playing funky music to keep the audience interested.


Come and take you higher, ya
The upbeat and lively funky music will elevate your mood and energy levels.


Play that funky music white boy
The audience is still requesting me, a white boy, to play funky music.


Play that funky music right, ya
The person is reminding me again to play funky music the right way to keep the audience engaged.




Writer(s): Robert W. Parissi

Contributed by Bailey V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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