The Beat Goes On
Sonny and Cher Lyrics
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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
[Chorus]
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
[Chorus]
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?"
[Chorus]
The song "The Beat Goes On" by Sonny and Cher is a catchy tune with a simple message, but upon closer inspection, the lyrics reveal an insightful commentary on the cyclical nature of cultural trends and society's persistent problems. The refrain "the beat goes on" echoes throughout the song, emphasizing the idea that no matter what changes occur in the world, certain patterns and rhythms endure. The drums that keep pounding a rhythm to the brain represent the universal pulse and energy of life that continues even in the midst of change.
The first verse highlights the shift from the Charleston dance craze of the 1920s to the mini-skirt trend of the 1960s. The chorus goes on to describe the persistence of traditional gender roles and war, both of which have been constant throughout history. The reference to electric scorekeeping suggests how technology has advanced with time, but the underlying obsession with competition remains. The final verse describes how some things never change, like grandmas reminiscing and boys chasing girls, but also how some problems persist, like homelessness and poverty symbolized by the bum asking for a dime.
Line by Line Meaning
The beat goes on, the beat goes on
The rhythm of life and time never stops and continues on indefinitely.
Drums keep pounding
The constant rhythm of life and time is symbolized by the pounding of drums.
A rhythm to the brain
This constant rhythm is an ingrained part of human existence, even affecting one's cognition and thought processes.
La de da de de, la de da de da
The nonsensical vocalizations represent the meaninglessness of many aspects of modern society, which nevertheless continue unabated.
Charleston was once the rage, uh huh
The Charleston dance craze was once a popular fad, but has been replaced by newer trends.
History has turned the page, uh huh
The progression of time has brought about changes in society and culture.
The mini skirts the current thing, uh huh
Mini skirts are currently fashionable and trendy.
Teenybopper is our newborn king, uh huh
Young people are the driving force behind many cultural trends and have significant influence in modern society.
[Chorus]
The refrain emphasizes the continuity of time and the unchanging nature of many aspects of human existence despite societal changes.
The grocery store's the super mart, uh huh
The rise of big box stores has replaced traditional grocery stores in many communities.
Little girls still break their hearts, uh huh
Young women still experience heartbreak despite the changing times.
And men still keep on marching off to war
Despite the apparent progress of society, war and conflict continue to be a part of human existence.
Electrically they keep a baseball score
Even the way we keep score in sports has changed to keep up with technological advances.
[Chorus]
The refrain emphasizes the continuity of time and the unchanging nature of many aspects of human existence despite societal changes.
Grandmas sit in chairs and reminisce
Elderly people often reflect on the past and remember aspects of life that have changed or no longer exist.
Boys keep chasing girls to get a kiss
Young love and romance are a timeless pursuit that remains unchanged despite societal change.
The cars keep going faster all the time
Technological advancements in automobiles continue to make them faster and more efficient.
Bums still cry, "Hey buddy, Have you got a dime?"
Despite progress in society, poverty and homelessness remain an issue.
[Chorus]
The refrain emphasizes the continuity of time and the unchanging nature of many aspects of human existence despite societal changes.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SONNY BONO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind