The Roof Is On Fire
Rock Master Scott & The Dynamic Three Lyrics


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Hey girls, hey boys
Superstar DJs here we go!

Somebody say 'ho' (ho)
Say 'ho, ho' (ho, ho)
Now somebody, anybody, everybody scream

Now throw your hands in the air
And wave 'em like you just don't care
And if you're not a square from Delaware
And you got on clean underwear
And your momma ain't on welfare
Somebody say 'oh, yeah' (oh, yeah)
Oh, yeah! (oh, yeah)

Well DJ's spinning on the wheels of steel
Like it ain't no thing, cause he is for real
He's cuttin' the jams with a wave of his hand
And it sounds so fresh it'll make you stand
You hear the highs in your eyes, the bass in your face
This super DJ can rock the place
You hear bass, highs, tremblin' tones
He can even cut the jams without the headphones

Well Stick Rick is rockin' to the break of day
Makin' all the fly girls that wanna give me a play
Now if your DJ rocks to the break of day
Let me hear you say 'DJ' (DJ)
DJ (DJ)

We're gonna rock to the break of day
Say 'Keep on rockin' it' (keep on rockin' it)
Keep on rockin' it (keep on rockin' it)
Come on y'all keep on rockin' it (keep on rockin' it, keep on rockin' it)

Heh

Now clap your hands and stomp your feet
While the DJ scratch to the funky beat
He's makin' you move until your body sweat
He's even givin' you more than you supposed to get
Now twist and turn and let your body burn
And show everybody what you just learned
Let's all get together and form a crowd
While the DJ play it, nice and loud
Now everybody in the place to be
Let's all get together, repeat after me
Say, 'rock the house' (rock the house)
Say, 'rock the house' (rock the house)
Everybody say, 'turn it out' (turn it out)
Come on turn it out (turn it out)
I like it (I like it)
Come on I love it (I love it)
Let me hear ya, I like it (I like it)
One more time, I love it (I love it)
Come on

Well I'm the master blaster, a man to see
Rockin' the bass for everybody
If ya DJ rocks to the break of day
Somebody say 'DJ' (DJ)
DJ (DJ)
We're gonna rock it to the break of day
Say 'keep on rockin' it' (keep on rockin' it)
Keep on rockin' it (keep on rockin' it)
Keep on rockin' it (keep on rockin' it)
Keep on rockin' it (keep on rockin' it)

DJs now, I'm coming strong
You better take my advice
Because it lasts this long
Is rocking the house
One job well done
For any DJ in this world to be someone
To make a fella say "ho" the girls get loose
And if the crowd respond to that, the jock got juiced
Enough pull to make some cash
'Cause it's all about duds
And they can jam-pack the place
No matter how much you spend
So if you wanna make some cash or be a DJ
You must rock the house right and know what to play

Now everybody in the place to be
Let's all get together, repeat after me
Say, 'oh' (oh)
Say, 'oh, ho' (oh, ho)
Once again I like it (I like it)
Come on I love it (I love it)
One more time I like it (I like it)
Come on I love it (I love it) ha!

All the fellas in the house if ya wanna break dance
Say, 'break dance' (break dance)
Say, 'break dance' (break dance)
Come on
'Break break, break, break' (break break, break, break)
Cut it up DJ

This DJ cut different ways
So let me hear you cut it, DJ

Let's make some noise (ho)
Let's make some noise come on
The roof, the roof, the roof is on fire
(We don't need no water, let the motherfucker burn)
(Burn, motherfucker, burn)
The roof, the roof, the roof is on fire
(We don't need no water, let the motherfucker burn)
(Burn, motherfucker, burn)





The roof, the roof, the roof is on fire

Overall Meaning

The song "The Roof Is on Fire" by Rock Master Scott & The Dynamic Three is a classic party anthem from the early days of hip-hop. The song is a celebration of the DJ and the power of music to bring people together and get them moving. The lyrics urge listeners to throw their hands in the air, wave them like they just don't care, and get down on the dance floor. The DJ is called out as the master of ceremonies, cutting and scratching the jams with a wave of his hand and rocking the place with bass, highs, and trembling tones. The chorus repeats the phrase "The roof, the roof, the roof is on fire," which has become an iconic and widely recognized catchphrase in popular culture.


The song was released in 1984 and quickly became a hit, reaching #5 on the Billboard Club Play chart and #91 on the Hot 100 chart. It was featured in the 1992 film "School Ties" and has been sampled by numerous artists over the years, including Fatman Scoop, Busta Rhymes, and Pitbull. The song's catchy chorus has been used in TV shows, movies, and commercials, and has become a staple of parties and sporting events.


Line by Line Meaning

Hey girls, hey boys
Addressing the audience in attendance, both men and women.


Superstar DJs here we go!
Introducing a DJ duo who are acclaimed for playing great music.


Somebody say 'ho' (ho)
Calling on the audience to respond by shouting 'ho'.


Say 'ho, ho' (ho, ho)
Further encouraging the audience to shout affirmative calls of 'ho'.


Now somebody, anybody, everybody scream
Requesting that the entire audience scream in unison.


Now throw your hands in the air
Encouraging the audience to raise their hands.


And wave 'em like you just don't care
Urging the audience to wave their arms in excitement and carefree abandon.


And if you're not a square from Delaware
Stating an unspoken rule -- those hailing from Delaware must not participate in the festivities.


And you got on clean underwear
Encouraging the audience to come prepared and dressed appropriately.


And your momma ain't on welfare
Making a point -- that the negative stereotype of poor people doesn't fit the audience.


Somebody say 'oh, yeah' (oh, yeah)
Asking for vocal confirmation from the enthusiastic crowd.


Oh, yeah! (oh, yeah)
Celebrating the spirited response of the crowd.


Well DJ's spinning on the wheels of steel
A nod of respect to the disc jockey.


Like it ain't no thing, cause he is for real
Appreciation for the DJ effortlessly handling his duties.


He's cuttin' the jams with a wave of his hand
Complimenting the DJ's seamless execution of mixing music tracks.


And it sounds so fresh it'll make you stand
Praising the high-quality sounds and perfect execution of the DJ.


You hear the highs in your eyes, the bass in your face
Referring to the physical effects of the good music played by the DJ.


This super DJ can rock the place
Complimenting the DJ's amazing ability to entertain and engage the crowd.


You hear bass, highs, tremblin' tones
Praising the vast range of delightful sounds produced by the DJ's equipment.


He can even cut the jams without the headphones
Admiring the talented DJ's skills by noting his ability to perform without using headphones.


Well Stick Rick is rockin' to the break of day
Mentioning a popular DJ, who has managed to keep the audience captivated till dawn.


Makin' all the fly girls that wanna give me a play
Boasting about Stick Rick's musical appeal to women.


Now if your DJ rocks to the break of day
Highlighting Stick Rick's ability to floor the audience for long hours.


Let me hear you say 'DJ' (DJ)
Asking the audience to conclusively affirm their appreciation for the DJ by chanting 'DJ'.


DJ (DJ)
Celebrating the ongoing presence of an accomplished DJ.


We're gonna rock to the break of day
Ubiquitous promise of an uninterrupted party that'll last till the dawn.


Say 'Keep on rockin' it' (keep on rockin' it)
Requiring the audience to encourage the DJ by shouting to keep the party alive.


Keep on rockin' it (keep on rockin' it)
Affirming support for the DJ and the party until the sun comes up.


Come on y'all keep on rockin' it (keep on rockin' it, keep on rockin' it)
Urging the audience to sustain the energy and support for the DJ and the party.


Now clap your hands and stomp your feet
Encouraging active participation of the audience in the party vibe.


While the DJ scratch to the funky beat
Acknowledge the DJ's use of an advanced technique known as 'scratching' to keep the beat funky and fresh.


He's makin' you move until your body sweat
Highlighting the DJ's responsibility of making the audience dance till they are drenched in sweat.


He's even givin' you more than you supposed to get
Showing appreciation for the DJ going above and beyond to make the audience engage with the music track.


Now twist and turn and let your body burn
Fun instruction for the audience to practice some dance moves and get their adrenaline pumping.


And show everybody what you just learned
Urging the dancers to showcase their newly acquired dance moves to the audience that are non-dancers.


Let's all get together and form a crowd
Prompting the participants to join, get closer and huddle around.


While the DJ play it, nice and loud
Requesting the DJ to play the requested tracks and pump the volume up.


Now everybody in the place to be
Requesting all audience members present to get involved.


Let's all get together, repeat after me
Encouraging public chanting led by the lead performer.


Say, 'rock the house' (rock the house)
Appreciating the DJ for creating an incredible musical environment by prompting the audience chant.


Say, 'rock the house' (rock the house)
Repeating the chant to reiterate DJ's competence and skill.


Everybody say, 'turn it out' (turn it out)
Asking the audience to enthusiastically chant 'turn it out' to show support.


Come on turn it out (turn it out)
Adding motivation to the people involved with the chant.


I like it (I like it)
Admiring the art of DJing and music curation.


Come on I love it (I love it)
Expressing the utmost joy during music performance.


Let me hear ya, I like it (I like it)
Asking the audience to reaffirm his appreciation for good music being played.


One more time, I love it (I love it)
Getting excited from the perfect musical vibes.


Well I'm the master blaster, a man to see
Introduction of an acclaimed music performer, who calls himself the master blaster.


Rockin' the bass for everybody
Promising to rock the audience with some incredible bass beats.


If ya DJ rocks to the break of day
Hinting at the proficiency and excellence with which a DJ should perform.


Somebody say 'DJ' (DJ)
Encouraging the audience to repeat the chant.


DJ (DJ)
Acknowledging the hard work and talent of a DJ.


We're gonna rock it to the break of day
Promising an all-night of full-fledged music party that'll last till dawn.


Say 'keep on rockin' it' (keep on rockin' it)
Chanting once again to ensure participants are following suit.


Keep on rockin' it (keep on rockin' it)
Energizing the audience to keep the music flowing.


Come on y'all keep on rockin' it (keep on rockin' it, keep on rockin' it)
Reiterating the message that party must go on, fueled by hearty entertainment.


All the fellas in the house if ya wanna break dance
Asking male audience members if they're enthusiastic to break dance.


Say, 'break dance' (break dance)
Requesting the audience to join them.


Say, 'break dance' (break dance)
Repeating the demand to stress the point.


'Break break, break, break' (break break, break, break)
Urge the participants to begin dancing with the beat


Cut it up DJ
Asking the DJ to keep playing good tracks and keep things lively.


Let's make some noise (ho)
Urging the guests to get loud and continue the party atmosphere.


Let's make some noise come on
A phrase intended to further spur the party and ramp up the energy among guests.


The roof, the roof, the roof is on fire
An expression of how happy and pumped the guests are with the party atmosphere.


(We don't need no water, let the motherfucker burn)
A chant typically used during a lively party.


(Burn, motherfucker, burn)
A celebratory chant that compliments the DJ's style, and the intensity at the party


The roof, the roof, the roof is on fire
A rhythmic expression of how excited the guests are.


(We don't need no water, let the motherfucker burn)
Chanting in a jubilant mood, rejoicing the energy flow.


(Burn, motherfucker, burn)
Chanting again to heighten the excitement level even more.


The roof, the roof, the roof is on fire
Emphasizing how the guests are having the time of their lives at the party.




Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT (FRANCE), CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, THE MUSIC GOES ROUND, FRANCIS DREYFUS MUSIC, UNIVERSAL MUSIC PUBLISHING, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: CELITA EVANS, CHARLES PETTIFORD, GREGORY CARLTON WIGFALL, JERRY BLOODROCK, RICHARD LEE FOWLER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@k.chriscaldwell4141

Man, in '88 I took a first date to a wild club I liked to go to from time to time. She was used to more subdued dance clubs, Pet Shop Boys, etc. It was one of those nights where everyone seemed to be in great spirits and the club was already nearly off the hook.

My date was already a fish out of water, then the DJ put on a sick mix of this*, bass just shaking the Earth. The Club just went nuts. People were dancing on the banisters around the dance floor, and every horizontal surface and some vertical in the place. Man, I thought my date was gonna die. What a blast.

All the years gone by and I still remember that night like it was yesterday.

The 80s: Lived 'em. Loved 'em. Miss 'em.

*The DJ had a 12" of this he was mixing in with instrumental/bass from another copy on the other turntable. It was sick, just sick.



All comments from YouTube:

@grosas2000

My dad says “the roof, the roof, the roof is on fire” almost everyday and I thought it was just some random phrase that stuck with him. I just found this today 😂😌 good man lmao

@psyantologist

The line is also in Coal Chamber - Sway
And the Bloodhound Gang =]

@dawnsautner6044

That saying has a deeper meaning for the city of Philadelphia.

@kipdiddy23

@@psyantologist 20 YEARS LATER CAN YOU SAY "STOLEN"

@randywhite3947

I literally found out about this song 30 seconds ago

@darkn1nja01

Saaame 😂

34 More Replies...

@Metalhead-zb9mz

My dad introduced to me this on some old school hip-hop mix and I still love it to this day same with the electric funk. Long live the 80s.

@CalLatMan

Electro was a fantastic era in the development of hip hop as a genre. Please check out the street sounds electro albums on you tube if you want to hear more amazing hip hop electro.

@ToneSoCooL3

I remember hearing this as a kid at summer camp. The way hip hop connected suburban young people to the inner cities was such an interesting thing. Hip Hop opened doors, probably even had something to do with Obama presidency if you really dissected it.

@t.o.o.smooth5870

Came here to hear where The Roof On Fire originated from, but then heard the sample for Chemicals Brothers - Hey Boy, Hey Girls. I love music! 😍

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