The Beat Goes On
Sonny Cher Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Drums keep pounding a rhythm to the brain
La de da de de, la de da de da
Charleston was once the rage, uh huh
History has turned the page, uh huh
The mini skirts, the current thing, uh huh
Teenybopper is our newborn king, uh huh
And the beat goes on, the beat goes on
Drums keep pounding a rhythm to the brain
La de da de de, la de da de da
The grocery store's the super mart, uh huh
Little girls still break their hearts, uh huh
And men still keep on marching off to war
Electrically they keep a baseball score
And the beat goes on, the beat goes on
Drums keep pounding a rhythm to the brain
La de da de de, la de da de da
Grandmas sit in chairs and reminisce
Boys keep chasing girls to get a kiss
The cars keep going faster all the time
Bums still cry, "Hey buddy, have you got a dime?"
And the beat goes on, the beat goes on
Drums keep pounding a rhythm to the brain
La de da de de, la de da de da
And the beat goes on, yes, the beat goes on
And the beat goes on, and the beat goes on
The beat goes on, and the beat goes on
The lyrics "The beat goes on, the beat goes on, drums keep pounding a rhythm to the brain" refer to the unending cycle of life. Despite changes in fashion, technology, and social norms, the rhythm of life remains constant. The mention of Charleston, a popular dance of the 1920s, and mini skirts, a fashionable item of the 1960s, illustrate the ever-changing trends of society. The line "Teenybopper is our newborn king" represents the idea that youth culture dominates and dictates the trends of the time.
The lyrics also mention societal issues such as the ongoing war and poverty. The line "Electrically they keep a baseball score" refers to the increasing use of technology even in areas like sports, while "Bums still cry, 'Hey buddy, have you got a dime?'" shines a light on the persistent issue of homelessness and poverty. Despite these issues, people continue to go about their daily lives as evidenced by the lines "Grandmas sit in chairs and reminisce" and "Boys keep chasing girls to get a kiss".
Line by Line Meaning
The beat goes on, the beat goes on
Life goes on, events continue to occur no matter what happens.
Drums keep pounding a rhythm to the brain
Life can be monotonous and routine, a constant repetition of events in which an individual can feel like a robot.
La de da de de, la de da de da
This phrase has no true meaning but is used to fill the gap between the previous sentence and the next.
Charleston was once the rage, uh huh
The Charleston, a popular dance in the 1920s, was once the trend, the most fashionable thing of the time.
History has turned the page, uh huh
History has moved forward, times have changed.
The mini skirts, the current thing, uh huh
Currently, short skirts are the trend.
Teenybopper is our newborn king, uh huh
The youngest generation sets the trend for society.
The grocery store's the super mart, uh huh
The supermarket is the new level, the current version of the grocery store.
Little girls still break their hearts, uh huh
Young girls still have their hearts broken by boys.
And men still keep on marching off to war
Men still go to war and fight for a cause they may or may not believe in.
Electrically they keep a baseball score
Baseball scores are now kept electronically rather than by hand.
Grandmas sit in chairs and reminisce
Elderly women sit in comfortable chairs and remember the past.
Boys keep chasing girls to get a kiss
Boys are still pursuing girls for intimacy.
The cars keep going faster all the time
Cars continue to increase in speed and capability.
Bums still cry, "Hey buddy, have you got a dime?"
Homeless people still ask for money on the streets.
And the beat goes on, yes, the beat goes on
Life goes on, events continue to happen.
And the beat goes on, and the beat goes on
Again, the idea that life continues.
The beat goes on, and the beat goes on
The song repeats this phrase to reinforce the idea of life and its constant motion.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Sonny Bono
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@axe-addict
I can't believe the wrecking crew wrote all these great songs. Now that's talent.
@user-sx1xx5le9o
It is incredible that the beat still goes on for Cher, and she doesn't look that much different.
@Walt222
Its called cosmetic surgery
@jonathanfrazier8798
Thank you Carol kaye for this bassline!
@grumpyoldman3452
Exactly.
@anthonycoopola2884
Amen
@norwidathomas6586
ALL that needs to be said is...... I wanted to be Cher when I grew up.... ... No one can be share but share he is phenomenal thank you for all the years of your beauty charm talent thank you and sunny as well
@knickertwistcopperby6066
The Wrecking Crew in full force!
@grumpyoldman3452
Yes indeed.
@kemtitanproductions8831
Phenomenal song !! it is music genius and perfection. A historical time stamp lyrically ❤