Born in Boston, Massachusetts, she moved to Australia to play a featured role in the Australian production of Hair. Hines was then approached to play Mary Magdalene in the Australian production of Jesus Christ Superstar. Hines became the first black woman to play Mary Magdalene, and achieved a second major success.
A record contract followed and her first single released in 1974 was a cover version of James Taylor's "Fire And Rain". Most of her hit singles were released between 1976 and 1979, and included her cover versions of the Burt Bacharach/Hal David song "I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself", and The Rolling Stones' "Jumpin' Jack Flash", and "What I Did For Love" (from A Chorus Line). Her biggest hit was the single that made number 2 in the charts in Australia: "You"; an up-tempo dance song, later covered in the United States by Rita Coolidge.
She continued to record and achieved a few more hits including the dance track "Your Love Still Brings Me To My Knees" in the eighties. "Flashdance, What A Feeling" (originally recorded by Irene Cara), and "Time of Our Lives" were both hits for Hines in 1999.
You Should Be Dancing
Marcia Hines Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lousy with virginity
Won't go to bed 'til I'm legally wed
I can't I'm Sandra Dee
Watch it! Hey I'm Doris Day
I was not brought up that way
Won't come across, even Rock Hudson lost
I don't drink (No)
Or swear (No)
I don't rat my hair (Ew)
I get ill from one cigarette
Keep your filthy paws
Off my silky draws
Would you pull that crap with Annette?
As for you Troy Donahue,
I know what you wanna do
You've got your crust
I'm no object of lust
I'm just plain Sandra Dee
Elvis, Elvis, let me be!
Keep that pelvis far from me!
Just keep your cool
Now your starting to drool
Hey Fongool, I'm Sandra Dee!
The lyrics to "You Should Be Dancing" by Marcia Hines are actually a modified version of the song from the 1978 film, "Grease." The original lyrics were written by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, with music by Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb, and Maurice Gibb of the Bee Gees. However, the modified version in Hines's song is a playful and humorous take on the classic song. The lyrics are centered around the character of Sandra Dee, a young and innocent girl who is struggling to navigate the social expectations of the time.
The first verse, "Look at me, I'm Sandra Dee; Lousy with virginity; Won't go to bed 'til I'm legally wed; I can't I'm Sandra Dee" highlights the pressure that young women faced in the 1950s and 60s to maintain their innocence and purity until marriage. Sandra Dee, as a representation of this ideal, is showing that she is willing to wait for her marriage until she is legal to do so. The second verse, "Watch it! Hey I'm Doris Day; I was not brought up that way; Won't come across, even Rock Hudson lost; His heart to Doris Day" further emphasizes the point, with Doris Day being another iconic symbol of purity during the era.
The last verse sums up the humor and playfulness of the song with "As for you Troy Donahue; I know what you wanna do; You've got your crust; I'm no object of lust; I'm just plain Sandra Dee; Elvis, Elvis, let me be! Keep that pelvis far from me!" These lyrics poke fun at the masculine sexuality of 1950s pop culture icons like Troy Donahue and Elvis Presley, while also reinforcing Sandra Dee's commitment to her values.
Overall, "You Should Be Dancing" by Marcia Hines is a fun take on the classic song with a humorous perspective on the social norms of the past.
Line by Line Meaning
Look at me, I'm Sandra Dee
I am presenting myself as Sandra Dee, the virginal, wholesome character that I portray on screen and on stage.
Lousy with virginity
I have an overwhelming amount of virginity that I do not want to lose.
Won't go to bed 'til I'm legally wed
I will not engage in sexual activity until I am married according to the law.
I can't I'm Sandra Dee
I am bound by my public persona as Sandra Dee and cannot deviate from that image.
Watch it! Hey I'm Doris Day
I am invoking the image and spirit of wholesome actress Doris Day to warn against inappropriate behavior.
I was not brought up that way
I was raised to have moral values and to resist temptation.
Won't come across, even Rock Hudson lost
I will not give in to sexual advances, even if someone as desirable as Rock Hudson has been unable to seduce me.
His heart to Doris Day
Even though he was unable to seduce me, Rock Hudson fell in love with the wholesome image that Doris Day embodies.
I don't drink (No)
I do not consume alcohol.
Or swear (No)
I do not use foul language.
I don't rat my hair (Ew)
I do not style my hair in a promiscuous manner that would be considered vulgar.
I get ill from one cigarette
I have a sensitivity to cigarette smoke that makes me feel physically unwell.
Keep your filthy paws
Do not touch me inappropriately or disrespect my boundaries.
Off my silky draws
Do not attempt to remove my undergarments.
Would you pull that crap with Annette?
Do not assume that just because I am an actress, I will tolerate inappropriate behavior. Would you treat Annette Funicello this way?
As for you Troy Donahue
I am addressing the actor Troy Donahue, who is notorious for his womanizing behavior.
I know what you wanna do
I am aware of your intentions and will not permit them.
You've got your crust
You are being presumptuous and overstepping your bounds.
I'm no object of lust
I refuse to be seen as a mere sexual object for your gratification.
I'm just plain Sandra Dee
I am simply myself, the wholesome character that I portray on screen and on stage.
Elvis, Elvis, let me be!
I am addressing Elvis Presley, another actor and musician known for his sexual charisma and prowess, and asking him to leave me alone.
Keep that pelvis far from me!
Do not engage in any overtly sexual behavior or contact with me.
Just keep your cool
Stay calm and nonchalant, and do not try to seduce me with your charms or good looks.
Now your starting to drool
Your attempts at seduction are becoming obvious and distasteful.
Hey Fongool, I'm Sandra Dee!
I am reaffirming my identity as Sandra Dee, the wholesome character that I portray on screen and on stage, and dismissing any attempts at seduction or inappropriate behavior.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JIM JACOBS, WARREN CASEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind