Skank by Numbers
Mustard Plug Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

One! Get off your seat!
Two! Stomp your boots to the beat!
Three! Throw your knees in the air!
Four! Like you don't care!
We don't want to see you slammin' in the pit, NO!
We don't want to see our girlfriends kicked, NO!
We just want to see you movin' faster and faster,
to the beat of the super ska master.
Phonys like to slam to the beat of ska,
we're not against that, but for us there's more.
To dance with us you needn't act like a jerk,
skankin's meant for fun, not for getting hurt!

Skankin' by numbers every night and day,
skankin' by numbers is the only way,
get off your seat and take a chance.
Skankin' by numbers is the only way to dance!

You can shave your head or pierce your nose, NOSE!
Dress up in flannels or rudeboy clothes, CLOTHES!
But where it matters is with your shoes,
that's where ska's for your stylin' moves.
Skankin' ain't just dancing it's our way of life.
Away from trouble, away from strife.
Afraid of fun? Then you had better beware,
because on the dance floor, we don't have a care!

Time to hit the floor, do it soon, SOON!
Ska music's set to fill the room, ROOM!
Have never skanked? Well it's time to start!
Soon you will be a rudeboy hot!
Finally we'd like to stop and thank our roots,
respect the Specials, Maytals, and Toots!




Wailing Wailers, Laurel Aitken,and (english) Beat,
but most of all the Skatalites, they're music complete!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Mustard Plug's "Skank by Numbers" empowers listeners to "skank" (dance) to ska music by following easy instructions. As the song progresses, the band encourages dancers to have fun without causing harm to others. They explain that girls shouldn't get kicked, and that it's about moving faster and having a good time to the beat of the music. The lyrics remind listeners that it's not about how they dress or how they look, but it's about their shoes and the movements they make. The song gives an ode to the origins of ska, while also nodding to the history of the genre and its influences. The lyrics are energetic and capture the essence of the ska genre.


The message in "Skank by Numbers" encourages people to dance without harmful behavior, which is a marker of the ska genre. Ska music, which originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s, is known for its positive messages and themes of unity. The song's lyrics pay respect to smash hits of the early era of ska music, including The Specials, The Maytals, and The Skatalites. Mustard Plug, like many ska bands, adds a contemporary spin to the genre with their upbeat, catchy lyrics.


Line by Line Meaning

One! Get off your seat!
Stand up from where you are sitting.


Two! Stomp your boots to the beat!
Make heavy steps with your shoes following the rhythm.


Three! Throw your knees in the air!
Lift your knees up high using your leg muscles.


Four! Like you don't care!
Dance with careless and free movements.


We don't want to see you slammin' in the pit, NO!
We do not approve of aggressive behavior while dancing.


We don't want to see our girlfriends kicked, NO!
We do not want our girlfriends to be harmed while dancing.


We just want to see you movin' faster and faster, to the beat of the super ska master.
We encourage you to dance energetically while enjoying the music.


Phonys like to slam to the beat of ska, we're not against that, but for us there's more.
Some people prefer to dance aggressively to ska music and we do not oppose that, but we prefer a more carefree and fun way of dancing.


To dance with us you needn't act like a jerk, skankin's meant for fun, not for getting hurt!
In order to dance with us, you do not need to behave aggressively or rudely. Skanking is supposed to be a fun experience, not a violent one.


Skankin' by numbers every night and day, skankin' by numbers is the only way, get off your seat and take a chance. Skankin' by numbers is the only way to dance!
We believe that dancing in a carefree, energetic way is the best way to enjoy ska music and encourage you to do so as well.


You can shave your head or pierce your nose, NOSE! Dress up in flannels or rudeboy clothes, CLOTHES! But where it matters is with your shoes, that's where ska's for your stylin' moves.
Your hairstyle, clothing and accessories do not affect your ability to dance to ska music, but your shoe movements are important for your style of dancing.


Skankin' ain't just dancing it's our way of life. Away from trouble, away from strife. Afraid of fun? Then you had better beware, because on the dance floor, we don't have a care!
Skanking is not just a form of dancing, it is a lifestyle that keeps us away from problems and hardships. If you are afraid of having fun, you should be careful because on the dance floor we are not concerned with anything else.


Time to hit the floor, do it soon, SOON! Ska music's set to fill the room, ROOM! Have never skanked? Well it's time to start! Soon you will be a rudeboy hot!
It is time for you to join us on the dance floor and start experiencing ska music. Even if you have never skanked before, you will soon be dancing like a pro.


Finally we'd like to stop and thank our roots, respect the Specials, Maytals, and Toots! Wailing Wailers, Laurel Aitken,and (english) Beat, but most of all the Skatalites, they're music complete!
We would like to show our appreciation to the origins of ska music and give thanks to the musicians who have made it possible. We respect and admire the contributions of The Specials, The Maytals, Toots and The Wailers, Laurel Aitken, The English Beat and, above all, The Skatalites.




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