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 hit song "Your Mama Don't Dance" is a song about a teenage rebellion against traditional values and societal norms. The song starts by stating that the singer's parents do not dance nor rock and roll. However, when evening comes around and it's time to go out on the town, the singer goes to rock and roll. The song recognizes a generational gap between teenagers and the older generation, who believes that a night out should end early ("you gotta end your date by ten"). The chorus repeats the idea of the dividing line between generations, emphasizing that "your mama don't dance, and your daddy don't rock and roll."
The second verse tells a story about a couple who goes out to a drive-in movie theater. The couple moves to the backseat to get cozy, but a flashlight shines in their eyes, and the girl is taken away from her date by her father, who disapproves of her behavior. The lines "out of the car, Longhair! Louise, you're coming with me, and no more movies" emphasize the disapproval that many parents had for rock and roll culture and the behavior that was associated with it.
The song reflects the divide between generations that existed in the 1950s and 60s when rock and roll first emerged as a popular music genre. It speaks to the teenage rebellion against traditional values and beliefs about adolescent behavior. The song was a hit in 1972, and its message resonated with the youth of that period.
Line by Line Meaning
Your mama don't dance and your daddy don't rock and roll
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 still not into dancing and rock music even after repeated mention.
When evening rolls around and it's time to go to town, where do you go?
After dark, where do you usually hang out?
To rock and roll
You go to a place where rock music is played.
The old folks say that ya gotta end your date by ten
Elders suggest that you should finish your date before 10 PM.
If you're out on a date and you bring it home late it's a sin
It's considered a mistake if you come home late after a date.
There just ain't no excusin', you know you're gonna lose and never win
You can't justify it; you are going to lose and not succeed.
I'll say it again
Repeating that your parents do not like dancing and rock music.
And it's all because your mama don't dance and your daddy don't rock and roll
This situation is just because your parents do not enjoy dancing and rock music.
Your mama don't dance and your daddy don't rock and roll
Reiterating that your parents do not like dancing and rock music.
When evening rolls around and it's time to go to town, where do you go?
Again, asking where you usually hang out when it's dark.
To rock and roll
Stating that you go to a place where rock music is played.
You pull into a drive-in and find a place to park
You arrive at a drive-in and park your car.
You hop into the backseat where you know it's nice and dark
You move to the backseat, where it's dark and private.
You're just about to move in, thinkin' it's a breeze
You are about to get physical, thinking it's easy.
There's a light in your eye and then a guy says 'out of the car, Longhair!'
Suddenly, you see a light, and a man tells you to leave the car.
"Louise, you're comin' with me and no more movies"
The man takes Louise with him and warns you against going to the movies again.
And it's all because your mama don't dance and your daddy don't rock and roll
Stating again that this situation is due to your parents' dislikes.
Your mama don't dance and your daddy don't rock and roll
Repeating that your parents don't like dancing and rock music.
When evening rolls around and it's time to go to town, where do you go?
Asking again where you hang out when it's dark.
To rock and roll
Confirming that you go to a place with rock music.
Where do you go?
Asking for the final time where you hang out.
To rock and roll
Confirming one last time that you go to a place with rock music.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Jim Messina, Kenneth Clark Loggins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind