After dropping out of high school and joining the US Naval Reserve, he eventually went AWOL to concentrate on music. He fled to Canada in 1964 and started using the name Ricky Matthews. In Toronto, he led various incarnations of The Mynah Birds, some of which included Neil Young and Bruce Palmer (who would go on to form Buffalo Springfield) and Nick St. Nicholas (later of Steppenwolf). After scoring a deal with Motown, the band was swindled by their manager and the label discovered James was on the lam, and the band split up.
After serving time for desertion, James tried to rekindle the Mynah Birds, but eventually found a role as a writer and producer at Motown, using the name Terry Johnson on tunes for Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Bobby Taylor and the Vancouvers and The Spinners. He moved to California in 1969 and formed Salt 'n' Pepper (not to be confused with Salt-N-Pepa) and worked with a number of bands (Heaven and Earth, Great White Cane, and Stone City Band) before returning to Motown, where he developed the gritty funk sound that would bring him hits and notoriety. "Super Freak" in 1981, from the Street Songs album, was his biggest hit. During this period, he also helped launch the careers of R&B singer Teena Marie and the Mary Jane Girls as well as producing Eddie Murphy's hit, Party All the Time.
After remaining moderately successful through the 80s, his popularity waned in the 90s and he succumbed to drugs, having frequent run-ins with the law, one of which resulted in a prison term. After an unsuccessful comeback attempt in 1997 and suffering a stroke, James retired. He died in 2004 from heart failure with multiple contributing factors.
Dance Wit' Me
Rick James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pretty little thing
Girl, you're lookinοΏ½ fine
Hey, I wonder can you spare a minute
Of your precious time
I would really like to know
Maybe I can discuss it
Over a dance with you
When I'm dancinοΏ½ with you, baby, now, now
Dance with me
Shake your body all over me, woman, dance
Dance with me
Dance, dance with me, baby
Dance with me, woman
Shake it up, shake it up now, baby
Shake it up, shake it up now, baby
Dance with me, woman, with me, woman
Shake it up, shake it up now, baby
Shake it up, shake it up now, baby
Pretty little thing
I wish that you were mine, yeah
You know every move to make with your body
And you do it fine, do it fine
Dancing with you, girl, like this
Is οΏ½bout to cause a fire, yeah
Look at me I'm soakinοΏ½ wet
Like I was in a shower
When I'm dancinοΏ½ with you, baby, now, now
Dance with me
Shake your body all over me, woman, dance
Dance with me
Dance, dance with me, baby
Dance with me, woman
Shake it up, shake it up now, baby
Shake it up, shake it up now, baby
Dance with me, woman, with me, woman
Shake it up, shake it up now, baby
Shake it up, shake it up now, baby (Party, babe)
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Where's the party {Party over here}
Say what? {Party over there}
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Where's the party {Party over here}
Say what? {Party over there}
Woo
Shake it up, shake it up now, baby
Shake it up, shake it up now, baby
Dance with me, woman, with me, woman
Shake it up, shake it up now, baby
Shake it up, shake it up now, baby (Party, babe)
Hoo
Shake it up
Shake it up (Shake your body all over me, woman)
Shake it up (Dance with me, dance with me, woman, dance with me)
Shake it up (Woman, dance)
Shake it up (Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Shake it up
Woman, just dance with me
Woman, just dance with me
Baby, just dance with me
Sugar, just dance with me
Blow, boys
Boy, don't stop
Boy, don't stop
Boy, don't stop
Boy, don't stop
Boy, don't stop
Boy, don't stop
Boy, don't stop
Boy, don't stop
Boy, don't stop
Boy, don't stop
Boy, don't stop
Boy, don't stop
Boy, don't stop
Boy, don't stop
Boy, don't stop
Boy, don't stop
Boy, don't stop
Boy, don't stop
Blow, Danny
Blow, Danny
Blow, Danny
Blow, Danny
Blow, Danny
Blow, Danny
Blow, Danny
Blow, Danny
The song "Dance Wit' Me" by Rick James is an upbeat and catchy track that encourages a woman to dance with him. The lyrics are a flirtatious request to dance, with James complimenting the woman's appearance and stating his desire to know her better. He describes their dancing as causing a fire and leaves the listener with the implication that things could escalate if she agrees to dance with him.
The lyrics of "Dance Wit' Me" showcase Rick James's bluesy funk style, with a driving rhythm and soulful vocals. The song was released in 1982 on James's album "Throwin' Down" and went on to become a top 40 hit on the US R&B charts.
Overall, "Dance Wit' Me" is a fun and light-hearted song, perfect for getting people on the dance floor or just enjoying a groovy tune.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooh, ooh
The singer is expressing excitement and anticipation for the song and its message.
Pretty little thing
The singer is addressing a woman who he finds attractive and desirable.
Girl, you're lookin' fine
The singer is complimenting the woman's appearance and expressing his attraction to her.
Hey, I wonder can you spare a minute
The singer is politely asking for the woman's attention and time.
Of your precious time
The singer is emphasizing that he views the woman's time as valuable and important.
I would really like to know
The singer is expressing a genuine interest in getting to know the woman better and establishing a connection with her.
If you want me to, tell me, baby
The singer is asking the woman to be honest about her feelings towards him and to communicate openly with him.
Maybe I can discuss it
The singer is implying that he is willing to have a conversation with the woman about their relationship and what they want from each other.
Over a dance with you
The singer is suggesting that they use dancing as a way to connect and establish intimacy.
When I'm dancin' with you, baby, now, now
The singer is expressing how he feels when he dances with the woman, emphasizing his attraction and desire for her.
Dance with me
The singer is inviting the woman to dance with him and establish a connection through movement.
Shake your body all over me, woman, dance
The singer is expressing his sexual desire and inviting the woman to be physical with him through dancing.
Dance, dance with me, baby
The singer is reiterating his desire to dance with the woman and connect with her physically.
Shake it up, shake it up now, baby
The singer is encouraging the woman to move her body and dance with him more energetically.
Pretty little thing
The singer is reminding the woman of her beauty and desirability.
I wish that you were mine, yeah
The singer is expressing his desire to be in a relationship with the woman and have her as his own.
You know every move to make with your body
The singer is admiring the woman's dancing skills and sexual confidence.
And you do it fine, do it fine
The singer is complimenting the woman's ability to move her body in a seductive and attractive way.
Dancing with you, girl, like this
The singer is emphasizing the strong attraction and sexual energy that he feels when he dances with the woman.
Is 'bout to cause a fire, yeah
The singer is suggesting that their dancing and sexual chemistry is so intense it feels like it could start a fire.
Look at me I'm soakin' wet
The singer is emphasizing how physically and emotionally intense his experience of dancing with the woman is.
Like I was in a shower
The singer is emphasizing how physically and emotionally intense his experience of dancing with the woman is.
Party, babe
The singer is encouraging the woman to let loose and have fun with him.
Where's the party {Party over here}
The singer is referencing a party atmosphere and inviting the woman to engage in that atmosphere with him.
Say what? {Party over there}
The singer is continuing to reference a party atmosphere and inviting the woman to participate in it with him.
Shake it up
The singer is encouraging the woman to continue moving her body and dancing with him.
Shake your body all over me, woman
The singer is emphasizing his sexual desire and attraction to the woman, inviting her to dance even more closely with him.
Dance with me, dance with me, woman, dance with me
The singer is reiterating his invitation to dance with the woman and emphasizing the importance of physical connection to him.
Woman, just dance with me
The singer is emphasizing the importance of connection through dance and inviting the woman to experience that with him.
Baby, just dance with me
The singer is continuing to invite the woman to connect with him through movement and physical touch.
Sugar, just dance with me
The singer is using a term of endearment to invite the woman to be closer and more intimate with him through dance.
Blow, boys
The singer is likely referring to his band, encouraging them to play music that will enhance the dancing atmosphere.
Boy, don't stop
The singer is encouraging the instrumentalists to continue playing music that will inspire the dancers to keep moving their bodies.
Blow, Danny
The singer is likely addressing a specific member of his band and encouraging him to play his instrument with more energy and enthusiasm.
Contributed by Madison P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Lyndell Hall
Favorite Song of Rick! Nobody Funked it out like you Rick!
Kay L
One my favorite Rick James songs. I love how it just keeps going on at the end with that sick-ass sax(?) solo! I love when he says βshake your body all over me womanβ I actually shake it on that part lol! I just miss this eraβ¦Real musicians/bands so fuck** talented!!
Lydia B
I still listen to this stuff every day on my playlistβ€never gets old
Nat King Coleslaw
My heart lives for this song,
It tingles my bones.
ERIC ROBINSON
A classic 80s dance jam. My man Slick Rick. πβοΈ
nopain209 loook
This song takes me back in time, when things weren't that good, but the music uplifted my soul. Now although some of this music makes me feel in a certain way, I still want to go back in time.
therealsoulproduct
Funky as hell! Us fans back here on Earth will miss you, Rick!
Jonny Bricks
SHAKE YA BODY ALL OVER ME WOMAN!! Rick James was a one of a kind boy. RIP RJ
Sherman Burns Jr.
Ain't No Doubt!!!! R.I.P James Ambrose Johnson Jr.(The Original Slick Rick)!!!!??β€οΈβ€οΈππ
Donna Jacksunn
Yes he is ππ½ππΎ