The band, fronted by Mary Davis, was initially famous for the post-disco hit "Take Your Time (Do It Right)" in 1979. In 1982, they joined forces with then-new production team Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, who went on to craft a string of R&B hits for the group, including "Just Be Good to Me", "Tell Me If You Still Care", "Feeling", and "Borrowed Love".
The Jam/Lewis produced SOS Band hits are notable for popularizing the use of the Roland TR-808 drum machine (and its distinctive cowbell sound) in popular music. The group continues to tour and perform to this day.
In "The Finest" the male singer is no other than Alexander O'Neal.
Are You Ready
S.O.S. Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Are you ready for the bus stop?
Bus stop, bus stop
All eyes to the front, then roll to the left
Are you ready for the bus stop?
Roll to the front then roll to the back
Roll to the front then roll to the back
Toot to the front and toot to the back
Bus stop, bus stop
People are you ready for the bus stop?
Woah I wanna stay down here
Everybody here is dancin'
All I wanna do is get your body next to mine
So baby won't you step up to me
Come on honey make your move
Let me teach you somethin' bout this funky disco groove
It's like sugar, so sweet
Good enough to eat
When you feel the funk get me
Get the fuck, you'll be
Slush
Slush
It's like sugar, it's like sugar
It's like sugar, it's like sugar
It's like sugar, it's like sugar
It's like sugar, it's like sugar
It's like sugar, it's like sugar
It's like sugar, it's like sugar
It's like sugar, it's like sugar
It's like sugar, it's like sugar
It's like sugar, so sweet
Good enough to eat
It's like sugar, so sweet
Good enough to eat
Yaow
With you
The lyrics to S.O.S. Band's song "Are You Ready" convey a call to action for all individuals present to participate in the "bus stop." The bus stop is a popular 1970s dance move where individuals line up in a row, move to the front, the back, to the left and to the right in unison, and sometimes make a tooting sound. The lyrics serve as an invitation for everyone on the dancefloor to join in on the action and display their dance moves. The singer sets the mood by describing the energy of the dancefloor and expressing a desire to be with their partner. They urge their partner to make a move and teach them the funky disco groove.
The repetition of "roll to the front then roll to the back" is akin to making simple moves in life, and everyone should be ready for any action life presents. The bus stop could be seen as a metaphor for life; it's unpredictable, but if you follow along with others, it can be mastered. The infectious song's message is that it's essential to align oneself with others during challenging situations, be it in dance or life.
Line by Line Meaning
Bus stop, bus stop
The singer is referring to a dance move called the bus stop, where dancers move in different directions.
Are you ready for the bus stop?
The singer is asking the audience if they are ready to dance the bus stop.
All eyes to the front, then roll to the left
The singer is explaining the dance move, where dancers turn to the left after looking to the front.
Roll to the front then roll to the back
The singer is describing another dance move where dancers roll forward and then backward.
Toot to the front and toot to the back
The singer is suggesting a horn-like dance move where dancers move their hips forward and backward.
Front, back, left, right
The singer is reminding the audience of the different moves they need to make while dancing the bus stop.
People are you ready for the bus stop?
The singer is encouraging everyone to participate in the dance and enjoy themselves.
Woah I wanna stay down here
The singer wants to continue dancing and enjoying the moment.
Everybody here is dancin'
The singer is noticing that everyone around is enjoying the music and dancing to the beat.
All I wanna do is get your body next to mine
The singer is aiming to dance with someone and enjoy the music together.
So baby won't you step up to me
The singer is inviting someone to approach them to dance together.
Come on honey make your move
The singer is encouraging the other person to start dancing and join the fun.
Let me teach you somethin' bout this funky disco groove
The singer is willing to share their dance skills and show the other person how to dance the disco.
It's like sugar, so sweet
The singer is comparing the music and dance to a sweet treat that is enjoyable for everyone.
Good enough to eat
The singer is emphasizing that the music and dance are so enjoyable that they are as pleasurable as eating a delicious meal.
When you feel the funk get me
The singer is telling the other person to join them when they feel the rhythm of the music.
Get the fuck, you'll be
The singer is suggesting that everyone should let go of their worries and enjoy the moment.
Slush
This line is likely nonsensical and serves mainly as an exclamation to emphasize the fun and enjoyment of dancing.
It's like sugar, it's like sugar
The singer repeats the comparison made earlier to emphasize the pleasurable nature of the music and dance.
Yaow
This is another nonsensical line, likely meant to be an exclamation or sound effect to enhance the music and performance.
With you
The singer may be addressing the audience or a specific individual, indicating that they want to share the dance and enjoy the music together.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BILL CURTIS, JOHN RAYMOND FLIPPIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
kenny styles
Wicked tune!
Stephen Price
YES THE BEATLES
B.F.
Kurupt!!
Segun Aigoro
DJSOUL832, do you know that The S.O.S. Band have 2 different songs with this same title, 'Are You Ready.' The first one is on their 2nd album titled 'Too' featuring the only hit single from it, 'It's A Long Way To The Top'. The one here is a delightful soul ballad with a nice, longish jazz piano solo at the end of the song. The other one is from a later album whose title I don't know and is a substandard loud uptempo mid1980s style synthesized disco song. I think this one's rather poor. This is very unusual in my opinion. I've never known a pro recording artist, whether a solo one or band to record and have a song bearing the same title released by the record company and label that they're signed too. Have you or anyone else out there?
Geoffrey White
I think Sheila E did. She made "Heaven" for her Sex Cymbal Lp then later with the E Train Band for the Lp titled "Heaven".