Your Mama Don't Dance
Loggins/Messina Lyrics
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Your mama don't dance and your daddy don't rock and roll
When evening rolls around and it's time to go to town, where do you go?
To rock and roll
The old folks say that ya gotta end your date by ten
If you're out on a date and you bring it home late it's a sin
There just ain't no excusin', you know you're gonna lose and never win
And it's all because your mama don't dance and your daddy don't rock and roll
Your mama don't dance and your daddy don't rock and roll
When evening rolls around and it's time to go to town, where do you go?
To rock and roll
You pull into a drive-in and find a place to park
You hop into the backseat where you know it's nice and dark
You're just about to move in, thinkin' it's a breeze
There's a light in your eye and then a guy says "out of the car, Longhair!"
"Louise, you're comin' with me and no more movies"
And it's all because your mama don't dance and your daddy don't rock and roll
Your mama don't dance and your daddy don't rock and roll
When evening rolls around and it's time to go to town, where do you go?
To rock and roll
Where do you go?
To rock and roll
Where do you go?
To rock and roll
Loggins/Messina's song, "Your Mama Don't Dance," is a playful commentary on generational differences in musical taste and social norms. The song opens with the catchy refrain, "Your mama don't dance and your daddy don't rock and roll," which sets the stage for the rest of the lyrics. The singer is a young person who loves rock and roll music and wants to go out to dance and have a good time, but is hindered by the strict rules and conservative attitudes of their parents' generation.
The song's verses offer a series of tongue-in-cheek observations and warnings about the dangers of breaking curfew and going against the norms of society. The first verse suggests that the singer is torn between the expectations of their parents and the allure of rock and roll, posing the question, "When evening rolls around and it's time to go to town, where do you go?" The chorus provides the answer: "To rock and roll."
The second verse takes a more cautionary tone, cautioning against staying out too late on a date and risking the wrath of one's parents. The lyrics suggest that there is no way to escape the consequences of such behavior, because "there just ain't no excusin', you know you're gonna lose and never win." The chorus repeats the central message that the singer's love of rock and roll is at odds with their parents' more conservative tastes and expectations.
The third verse adds a bit of humor to the song, with the singer describing a scenario in which they are making out in the back of a car when a police officer interrupts their fun. The officer calls the singer "Longhair" and takes their date, Louise, into custody. The lyrics suggest that this unfortunate turn of events is all because of the singer's love of rock and roll, which separates them from their parents' generation.
Overall, "Your Mama Don't Dance" is a lighthearted, upbeat song that pokes fun at generational differences and emphasizes the power of rock and roll as a force for social change and teenage rebellion.
Line by Line Meaning
Your mama don't dance and your daddy don't rock and roll
Your parents are not really into dancing and rock music
Your mama don't dance and your daddy don't rock and roll
Your parents are really not into dancing and rock music
When evening rolls around and it's time to go to town, where do you go?
When the night comes and you want to go out in town, where do you usually go?
To rock and roll
You go to places where there is rock music playing
The old folks say that ya gotta end your date by ten
According to the older generations, you have to be home by 10 pm if you go out on a date
If you're out on a date and you bring it home late it's a sin
If you come home late from a date, it's seen as a wrong thing to do
There just ain't no excusin', you know you're gonna lose and never win
There is no excuse for coming home late from a date, the outcome will not be favorable
I'll say it again
This is worth repeating
You pull into a drive-in and find a place to park
You drive into a drive-in restaurant and park your car
You hop into the backseat where you know it's nice and dark
You go to the backseat of the car because you know it's dark and private
You're just about to move in, thinkin' it's a breeze
You are about to take things to the next level, thinking it's going to be easy
There's a light in your eye and then a guy says "out of the car, Longhair!"
Suddenly there's a light shining in your eye and a guy tells you to get out of the car
"Louise, you're comin' with me and no more movies"
The guy takes Louise with him and forbids her from going to the movies
And it's all because your mama don't dance and your daddy don't rock and roll
Everything that happened is because your parents are not into dancing and rock music
Your mama don't dance and your daddy don't rock and roll
Your parents are really not into dancing and rock music
When evening rolls around and it's time to go to town, where do you go?
When the night comes and you want to go out in town, where do you usually go?
To rock and roll
You go to places where there is rock music playing
Where do you go?
Where do you usually go?
To rock and roll
You go to places where there is rock music playing
Where do you go?
Where do you usually go?
To rock and roll
You go to places where there is rock music playing
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Jim Messina, Kenneth Clark Loggins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind