The name comes from the bouffant wigs that are part of the band's distinctive look, worn by singers Cindy Wilson and Kate Pierson. Along with Wilson and Pierson, fellow vocalist Fred Schneider, drummer (and later guitarist) Keith Strickland, and guitarist Ricky Wilson (Cindy's older brother) formed the band after a drunken night at a Chinese restaurant. They shared a passion for mixing and matching older styles with a partying, good-time public image, which set them apart from many staid 70s contemporaries.
Their sound is particularly marked by the vocals of Wilson and Pierson, with Kate singing in a slightly deeper voice, along with the generally monotone or spoken-word vocals of Schneider. Aside from their vocals, the band also had a unique New Wave sound that was a combination of 50s and 60s dance music and surf rock, and the unusual guitar-string tunings utilized by Ricky Wilson. Although a clear part of said movement, their music was more experimental than most new wave groups, indulging in all manner of odd vocal and synthesizer effects. The B-52's created a quirky dance vibe that became very popular and their tours have been successful for decades.
Website= http://theb52s.com/
Dance This Mess Around
The B-52's Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Say, remember when you were my man
Walk, talk in the name of love
Before you break my heart
Think it over
Roll it over in your mind
Why don't you dance with me?
Why don't you dance with me?
I'm not no Limburger
Oh say, why don't you dance with me?
I'm not no Limburger
Just a limber girl
Just a limber girl
Just a limber girl
Just a limber girl
Dance this mess around
Dance this mess around, 'round, 'round, 'round, 'round
Everybody goes to parties
They dance this mess around
They do all sixteen dances
They do the Shu-ga-loo
Do the Shy Tuna
Do the Camel Walk
Do the Hip-O-Crit
Ah, hippy hippy forward
Hippy hippy hippy hippy hippy shake
Oh, it's time to do 'em right
Hey, so doesn't that make you feel a whole lot better, huh? (Huh?)
Say, doesn't that make you feel a lot better?
What you say?
Well, I'm just askin'
Come on
Shake
Ooh, oh oh (shake)
Shake
Ooh, oh oh (shake)
Shake
Ooh, oh oh
Everybody goes to parties
They dance this mess around
They do all sixteen dances
They do Coo-ca-choo
Do the Aqua Velva
Do the Dirty Dog
Do the Escalator
Ah, hippy hippy forward
Hippy hippy hippy hippy hippy shake
Oh, it's time to do 'em right
Hey, so Fred, doesn't that make you feel a whole lot better? (Huh?)
Say, doesn't that make you feel a lot better?
What you say?
Well, I'm just askin'
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Stop, dance on over
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Dance, dance this mess around
Dance this mess around
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Dance this mess around
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
The lyrics to The B-52's's song Dance This Mess Around are a playful exploration of the chaos and joy of dancing at parties. The first verse begins with a nostalgic reminiscence of a past romantic relationship, with the singer urging their former partner to think carefully before breaking their heart. This seriousness is quickly dispelled, however, as the rest of the song focuses on the fun and frivolity of dancing. The repeated refrain of "why don't you dance with me?" is an invitation to join in the festivities, accompanied by the assertion that the singer is "not no Limburger", meaning that they are not uncool or awkward.
The rest of the lyrics describe a series of dance crazes, encouraging listeners to "do all sixteen dances" and incorporating invented dance names such as the Shy Tuna and the Hip-O-Crit. The hippy hippy shake is also mentioned several times, a reference to a popular dance step from the 1950s. The overall sense of the song is one of exuberance and good humor, with the repeated refrain and catchy rhythms encouraging everyone to get up and dance this mess around.
Line by Line Meaning
Remember when you held my hand
Reflecting on the past and recalling moments shared of holding hands
Say, remember when you were my man
Revisiting memories of being in a romantic relationship
Walk, talk in the name of love
Acting and speaking in the spirit of love and affection
Before you break my heart
Urging the other person to think before causing emotional damage
Think it over
Encouraging thought and reflection on the potential consequences
Roll it over in your mind
Advocating for careful consideration of what might happen
Why don't you dance with me?
Asking the other person to dance and interact in a fun and meaningful way
I'm not no Limburger
Assuring that the singer is not odd or unappealing
Just a limber girl
Describing the singer as flexible and energetic
Dance this mess around
Inviting everyone to join in the chaotic yet enjoyable dance
Everybody goes to parties
Highlighting that group outings are a common social activity
They dance this mess around
Referring to the crazy dance that everyone enjoys
They do all sixteen dances
Listing that many different styles of dancing are enjoyed by all
They do the Shu-ga-loo
Mentioning a particular dance move
Do the Shy Tuna
Referring to another dance move
Do the Camel Walk
Listing yet another dance move that is fun to do
Do the Hip-O-Crit
Mentioning yet another dance move that is enjoyed by all
Ah, hippy hippy forward
Introducing a new dance move that is upbeat and fun
Hippy hippy hippy hippy hippy shake
Encouraging the shaking of hips and the entire body, enjoying the moment
Oh, it's time to do 'em right
Stating that this is the exact right moment to dance and do the moves correctly
Hey, so doesn't that make you feel a whole lot better, huh? (Huh?)
Asking others if they feel better after all the dancing and fun
Say, doesn't that make you feel a lot better?
Continuing the conversation about how fun the dancing has been
What you say?
Asking for someone to express how they feel
Come on
Encouraging everyone to keep going and enjoy dancing
Shake
Encouraging movement and shaking of one's body and hips
Ooh, oh oh (shake)
Making sounds of enjoyment and excitement in the moment of dancing
Everybody goes to parties
Reminding listeners that socializing and having fun are common activities
They do Coo-ca-choo
Adding yet another dance move to the list of fun ways to dance
Do the Aqua Velva
Describing another type of dancing move that is enjoyable
Do the Dirty Dog
Naming another type of fun dance move
Do the Escalator
Referring to still another fun type of dance move
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Mimicking fun sounds of joy and encouragement to keep dancing
Stop, dance on over
Encouraging people to keep going and dance
Dance, dance this mess around
Emphasizing again how fun and wild the dancing is
Dance this mess around
Encouraging all to join in and continue dancing to their heart's content
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Kate Pierson, Fred Schneider, Keith Strickland, Cindy Wilson, Ricky Wilson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Wayne Matthess
Remember........when you held his little kitty Paw.............Remember......Remember when you held my cat';s paw...walk and talk in the name of Kalvin........before you break...My heart......oh don't ya know why.........Why won't you dance with me, my cats? I'm not no limburger.....just a limburger.......Just a limburger 2 more times...oh 3 more times.....and finally Fred....Dance this Mess Round Round Round Round Round....