Starting as a parody of the booming third-wave ska scene in Southern California (their first show, reportedly, was played with fourteen members, at least half of which were wielding horns), The Aquabats played third-wave ska with surf guitar sounds and b-movie inspired lyrics. Over time, their sound became even more eclectic, dropping much of the surf guitar leads and ska rhythms for more varied influences.
Their current sound blends upbeat rock and roll, new wave, punk, and ska/rocksteady with synth largely replacing their horn and woodwind section. Notable influences upon The Aquabats are Devo, Oingo Boingo, Madness, and Toy Dolls.
The Aquabats’ current lineup is The MC Bat Commander (vocals), Ricky Fitness (drums), Crash McLarson (bass), Eagle "Bones" Falconhawk (guitar) & Jimmy the Robot (keyboards/tenor sax). Former members like Chainsaw, The Prince of Karate; Prince Adam; and Catboy have been known to come back into the fold for the occasional show.
The Aquabats's most recent album is Kooky Spooky... In Stereo!, released on August 21, 2020. via Gloopy Records.
Radio Down!
The Aquabats Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(We want the music loud!)
Don't turn the radio down!
(We want to mess around!)
We feel like dancin' (Hey!)
We want to dance, so, don't turn the radio down!
Don't turn the radio down!
Don't turn the radio down!
(We want to mess around!)
Na na na na na hey,
We own the radio,
So don't turn the radio down!
We wrote some songs, made a record,
But we had no place to go,
So we got some old computer parts and built a radio!
Now we can dance, baby,
You want to dance, baby?
Turn up the radio to start the dance craze!
Don't need no talk show! (Nope!)
Don't need no DJ! (Nope! No!)
We can dance in a million different ways!
With record selection and the mirror's reflection,
And I'm dancin with myself!
Oh oh oh oh!
Don't turn the radio down!
(We want the music loud!)
Don't turn the radio down!
(We want to mess around!)
We feel like dancin' (Hey!)
We want to dance,
So don't turn the radio down! (Ho!)
Don't turn the radio down!
(We want the music loud!)
Don't turn the radio down!
(We want to mess around!)
Na na na na na hey, we own the radio,
So don't turn the radio down!
So take a break, take a second.
Aw, shucks! Quit your job!
When you put on those jammy jams,
You take the whole year off!
You gotta dance, baby,
This is your chance, baby!
Turn up the radio, and dance the night away!
Don't need no talk show! (Nope!)
Don't need no DJ! (Nope!)
We can dance in a million different ways!
With record selection and the mirror's reflection,
And I'm dancin' with myself!
Oh oh oh oh!
Don't turn the radio down!
(We want the music loud!)
Don't turn the radio down!
(We want to mess around!)
We feel like dancin' (Hey!)
We want to dance, so, don't turn the radio down! (Ho!)
Don't turn the radio down!
(We want the music loud!)
Don't turn the radio down!
(We want to mess around!)
Na na na na na hey,
We own the radio,
So don't turn the radio down!
Pump the bass pump the highs
I want you to catch and pull my hamburger and fries
Its the M-A-R-K-I-E
And this is how I throw it down in the place to be
Oh I, I want a piece of pie
No matter what I say it always come out fine
That's why I'm with the brother that's got is like that
That go by the name of
Well, let it all come down!
Let it all come crashing down!
'Cause we're ready!
To rock it steady!
We're gonna dance, dance, dance to the radio!
Don't need no talk show! (Nope!)
Don't need no DJ! (Nope!)
We can dance in a million different ways!
With record selection and the mirror's reflection,
And I'm dancin' with myself!
Oh oh oh oh!
Don't turn the radio down!
(We want the music loud!)
Don't turn the radio down!
(We want to mess around!)
We feel like dancin' (Hey!)
We want to dance, so, don't turn the radio down! (Ho!)
Don't turn the radio down!
(We want the music loud!)
Don't turn the radio down!
(We want to mess around!)
Na na na na na hey,
We own the radio, so don't turn the radio down!
Don't turn the radio down!
(We want the music loud!)
(Let it all come down!)
Don't turn the radio down!
(We want to mess around!)
(Let it all come crashing down!)
Na na na na na hey,
We own the radio,
So don't turn the radio down!
The Aquabats/Biz Markie's song "Radio Down!" is an ode to the power and freedom of music. The lyrics implore the listener to keep the radio turned up so they can dance and have fun with their friends. The song acknowledges the importance of music in our lives, and how it can provide an escape from our daily troubles. The chorus repeats the phrase "Don't turn the radio down," emphasizing the idea that music should not be silenced or ignored.
The verses describe the band's journey to get their music heard, highlighting their resourcefulness and determination to make their voices heard. They built their own radio station using old computer parts, allowing them to share their music with the world. The song encourages listeners to take risks and pursue their passions, even if it means breaking away from the usual paths.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't turn the radio down!
We want the music loud!
Don't turn the radio down!
We want to mess around!
We feel like dancin' (Hey!)
We want to dance, so, don't turn the radio down!
Na na na na na hey,
We own the radio,
So take a break, take a second.
Aw, shucks! Quit your job!
When you put on those jammy jams,
You take the whole year off!
You gotta dance, baby,
This is your chance, baby!
Turn up the radio, and dance the night away!
Let's dance all night long to the loud music on the radio!
Pump the bass pump the highs
Let's turn up the bass and high sounds!
I want you to catch and pull my hamburger and fries
I want you to enjoy this moment with me and have some snacks
Its the M-A-R-K-I-E
It's the one and only, Biz Markie
And this is how I throw it down in the place to be
And this is how I perform and entertain the audience
'Cause we're ready!
We're fully prepared and excited for this
To rock it steady!
To dance and party all night long!
We're gonna dance, dance, dance to the radio!
We're gonna have a blast dancing to the loud music on the radio!
Let it all come down!
Let's go all out!
Let it all come crashing down!
Let's party until everything falls apart!
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lexi Allen
Don't turn the radio down
(We want the music loud)
Don't turn the radio down
(We wanna mess around)
We feel like dancin'
We wanna dance, so
Don't turn the radio down
Don't turn the radio down
(We want the music loud)
Don't turn the radio down
(We wanna mess around)
Nah nah nah nah nah Hey!
We on the radio, so
Don't turn the radio down
We wrote some songs, made a record
But we had no place to go
So we got some old computer parts
And built a radio
Now we can dance baby
You wanna dance baby?
Turn up the radio
To start the dance craze!
Don't need no talk shows (Nope!)
Don't need no D.J.s (No!)
We can dance in a million different ways
With the record selection and the
Mirror's reflection
And I'm dancin' with myself!
Oh Oh Oh Oh!
Don't turn the radio down
(We want the music loud)
Don't turn the radio down
(We wanna mess around)
We feel like dancin'
We wanna dance, so
Don't turn the radio down
Don't turn the radio down
(We want the music loud)
Don't turn the radio down
(We wanna mess around)
Nah nah nah nah nah Hey!
We on the radio, so
Don't turn the radio down
So take a break, take a second
Awww! Shucks!
Quit yer job! When you pump out the
Jammy jams
You take the whole year off
You gotta dance baby
This is your chance baby
Turn up the radio and
Dance the night away!!
Don't need no talk shows (Nope!)
Don't need no D.J.s (No!)
We can dance in a million different ways
With the record selection and the
Mirror's reflection
And I'm dancin' with myself!
Oh Oh Oh Oh!
Don't turn the radio down
(We want the music loud)
Don't turn the radio down
(We wanna mess around)
We feel like dancin'
We wanna dance, so
Don't turn the radio down
Don't turn the radio down
(We want the music loud)
Don't turn the radio down
(We wanna mess around)
Nah nah nah nah nah Hey!
We on the radio, so
Don't turn the radio down
[Biz Markie]
Pump the bass, pump the highs
I put some ketchup on my hamburger and fries
You know me as B . I . Z . M. A . R . for K, I go to the E
And this is how I slow it down, this the place to be
Ooh, Ahh, I want a piece of pie
No matter what I say, it always come out fly
That's why I with the brothers that got it like that
They go by the name of The Aquabats!
So let it all come down
Let it all come crashing down
Cuz we're ready, to rock it steady
We gonna dance, dance
Dance to the radio!
Don't turn the radio down
(We want the music loud)
Don't turn the radio down
(We wanna mess around)
We feel like dancin'
We wanna dance, so
Don't turn the radio down
Don't turn the radio down
(We want the music loud)
Don't turn the radio down
(We wanna mess around)
Nah nah nah nah nah Hey!
We on the radio, so
Don't turn the radio down
(Let it all come down)
Don't turn the radio down
(We want the music loud)
(Let it all come crashing down)
Don't turn the radio down
(We wanna mess around)
Nah nah nah nah nah Hey!
We on the radio, so
Don't turn the radio down
Mendeleyev
Don’t turn the radio down :(
RIP Biz. Absolute legend.
Soulless
Best thing ever!!!!!! The Biz and The Aquabats!?!?! YES PLEASE!
Quique Loyola
I'm waiting for The Aquabats new album!
AsTheWorldSpinsAgain
I havent listened to this album in a bit, Didnt know who Biz Markie was until the past year and a half or so. And now i come back to this song and am like wait whaT?
spot138
This is Dope as hell!
Lexi Allen
Don't turn the radio down
(We want the music loud)
Don't turn the radio down
(We wanna mess around)
We feel like dancin'
We wanna dance, so
Don't turn the radio down
Don't turn the radio down
(We want the music loud)
Don't turn the radio down
(We wanna mess around)
Nah nah nah nah nah Hey!
We on the radio, so
Don't turn the radio down
We wrote some songs, made a record
But we had no place to go
So we got some old computer parts
And built a radio
Now we can dance baby
You wanna dance baby?
Turn up the radio
To start the dance craze!
Don't need no talk shows (Nope!)
Don't need no D.J.s (No!)
We can dance in a million different ways
With the record selection and the
Mirror's reflection
And I'm dancin' with myself!
Oh Oh Oh Oh!
Don't turn the radio down
(We want the music loud)
Don't turn the radio down
(We wanna mess around)
We feel like dancin'
We wanna dance, so
Don't turn the radio down
Don't turn the radio down
(We want the music loud)
Don't turn the radio down
(We wanna mess around)
Nah nah nah nah nah Hey!
We on the radio, so
Don't turn the radio down
So take a break, take a second
Awww! Shucks!
Quit yer job! When you pump out the
Jammy jams
You take the whole year off
You gotta dance baby
This is your chance baby
Turn up the radio and
Dance the night away!!
Don't need no talk shows (Nope!)
Don't need no D.J.s (No!)
We can dance in a million different ways
With the record selection and the
Mirror's reflection
And I'm dancin' with myself!
Oh Oh Oh Oh!
Don't turn the radio down
(We want the music loud)
Don't turn the radio down
(We wanna mess around)
We feel like dancin'
We wanna dance, so
Don't turn the radio down
Don't turn the radio down
(We want the music loud)
Don't turn the radio down
(We wanna mess around)
Nah nah nah nah nah Hey!
We on the radio, so
Don't turn the radio down
[Biz Markie]
Pump the bass, pump the highs
I put some ketchup on my hamburger and fries
You know me as B . I . Z . M. A . R . for K, I go to the E
And this is how I slow it down, this the place to be
Ooh, Ahh, I want a piece of pie
No matter what I say, it always come out fly
That's why I with the brothers that got it like that
They go by the name of The Aquabats!
So let it all come down
Let it all come crashing down
Cuz we're ready, to rock it steady
We gonna dance, dance
Dance to the radio!
Don't turn the radio down
(We want the music loud)
Don't turn the radio down
(We wanna mess around)
We feel like dancin'
We wanna dance, so
Don't turn the radio down
Don't turn the radio down
(We want the music loud)
Don't turn the radio down
(We wanna mess around)
Nah nah nah nah nah Hey!
We on the radio, so
Don't turn the radio down
(Let it all come down)
Don't turn the radio down
(We want the music loud)
(Let it all come crashing down)
Don't turn the radio down
(We wanna mess around)
Nah nah nah nah nah Hey!
We on the radio, so
Don't turn the radio down
Lexi Allen
Let me know if there's any errors
Lexi Allen
Eighth of many
reyes hernandez
the aquabats rules!!
XeroFyre
RIP Biz Markie