They focused specifically on dance music and appealed to several subgenres, particularly house music. Amanda Glanfield and Paul Carter were both veterans of the commercial jingle industry, and were introduced to Richard Walmsley (born 18 September 1962, in Brighton, Sussex) in 1987. Together they formed a highly successful production trio, working with Betty Boo, the Cookie Crew, P.P. Arnold, Yazz, Claudia Fontaine, Elaine Vassell and Merlin.
They also released two albums under the Beatmasters name; "Anywayawanna" (1989) and "Life and Soul" (1991).
Hey DJ
The Beatmasters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To that rhythm that you're been playing
That style is over, sold out and dating
Dating back and, yo, what's up?
We used to shake it up, how dare you
Ever care to play that trash?
You better prepare to go away
No more tit for tat chat
I can't dance to the music you're playing
Stop, think it over and rewrite your tune
I can't dance to the music you're playing
You better get yourself together
You better do it soon
I need a rhythm to be hype and thumping
I want it hot like it's coming from an oven
I wanna be dancing and moving
Betty Boo on the mic and doing the business
So get with this
Doing this in the flesh, you just can't resist
From hoeing and going out every night
And Betty Boo's quite irritated, you're terminated
My mind's made up, can't be persuaded
It lacks a certain punch, that certain edge
Betty Boo's the best thing since sliced bread
I've had enough, yes, I wanna cut so
Take your crusty beats with you and dust
'Cause lately you ain't been up to scratch
And I can't dance to that
I can't dance to the music you're playing
Stop, think it over and rewrite your tune
I can't dance to the music you're playing
You better get yourself together
You better do it soon
Boogie
Came to your door, said you were busy
You had a visit from your aunt Lizzy
So what we did was we postponed our dope beat session
'Til she'd flown home
So I thought I'd practice all by myself
But I realized I'd left my lyrics file on your shelf
I couldn't believe at what I found
Saw you and aunt Lizzy getting on down
You can't imagine at what I saw
It wasn't aunt OLizzy but a cheap dumb broad
That was the last straw, wouldn't take no more
Walked out the door, what could I stay for?
He lied, but never tried
More interested in a bit on the side
But never mind, I've got better things to do so
All my best wishes, from Betty Boo
I can't dance to the music you're playing
Stop, think it over and rewrite your tune
I can't dance to the music you're playing
You better get yourself together
You better do it soon
I can't dance to the music you're playing (I can't dance, no, baby)
Stop, think it over and rewrite your tune (I can't dance to the music, oh no)
I can't dance to the music you're playing (I can't dance, no, baby)
You better get yourself together
You better do it soon
I can't dance to that
The lyrics to the The Beatmasters feat. Betty Boo's song Hey DJ / I Can't Dance are about Betty Boo's frustration with the DJ playing music that she feels is outdated and lacking the necessary "punch" and "edge" to make her dance. She is a successful musician herself and has high standards for the music she wants to dance to. She is calling on the DJ to "rewrite" his tune and get with the times. Betty Boo is not afraid to speak her mind and does not want to waste her time dancing to music that does not inspire her.
The song shows Betty Boo's confidence and independence. She is not willing to compromise her own desires to please others, even if it means leaving a potentially good time at the club. Additionally, the mention of the fake "Aunt Lizzy" and the realization that the DJ was not truthful about his commitments adds an extra layer of frustration and betrayal to the singer's lyrics. Overall, the song is a call to action for DJs to create better, more innovative music that inspires people to dance and move.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't dance
I am unable to dance
To that rhythm that you're been playing
I cannot dance to the music you are currently playing
That style is over, sold out and dating
The music style you are playing is outdated and no longer popular
Dating back and, yo, what's up?
This music style is from the past, what are you doing?
We used to shake it up, how dare you
We used to dance to better music, how could you play something this bad?
Ever care to play that trash?
Why would you even consider playing such terrible music?
You better prepare to go away
You should be ready to leave because I cannot take this music anymore
No more tit for tat chat
There is no need to argue about it anymore
'Cause I can't dance to that
I can't dance to the music you are playing
Stop, think it over and rewrite your tune
Stop playing this music, rethink and rewrite the song
You better get yourself together
You need to fix the music you are playing
You better do it soon
It is better to fix it as soon as possible
I need a rhythm to be hype and thumping
I need music with an exciting and energetic beat
I want it hot like it's coming from an oven
I want the music to be so hot that it feels like it's fresh out of the oven
I wanna be dancing and moving
I want to dance and move my body
Betty Boo on the mic and doing the business
I want Betty Boo's vocals to be on the microphone and doing her thing
So get with this
You should follow and dance along with me
Doing this in the flesh, you just can't resist
You won't be able to stop yourself from dancing once you see this live and in person
From hoeing and going out every night
You are promiscuous and go out every night
And Betty Boo's quite irritated, you're terminated
Betty Boo is angry and you are no longer wanted
My mind's made up, can't be persuaded
I have made up my mind and cannot be convinced otherwise
It lacks a certain punch, that certain edge
The music lacks a certain impact and uniqueness
Betty Boo's the best thing since sliced bread
Betty Boo is incredible and the best thing since sliced bread
I've had enough, yes, I wanna cut so
I have had enough and want to leave
Take your crusty beats with you and dust
Take your outdated and boring music with you as you leave
'Cause lately you ain't been up to scratch
Your recent music is not up to par
Boogie
Let's dance
Came to your door, said you were busy
I came to your door and you said you were busy
You had a visit from your aunt Lizzy
You had a visit from your aunt Lizzy
So what we did was we postponed our dope beat session
We decided to reschedule our previously planned music-making session
'Til she'd flown home
We rescheduled the session until after she left
So I thought I'd practice all by myself
I decided to practice my music alone
But I realized I'd left my lyrics file on your shelf
I realized I had left my lyrics on your shelf
I couldn't believe at what I found
I could not believe what I saw
Saw you and aunt Lizzy getting on down
I saw you and Aunt Lizzy dancing together
You can't imagine at what I saw
You cannot imagine what I saw
It wasn't aunt OLizzy but a cheap dumb broad
It was not Aunt Lizzy but a cheap, unintelligent woman
That was the last straw, wouldn't take no more
That was the final issue, I refused to deal with it anymore
Walked out the door, what could I stay for?
I left and had no reason to stay
He lied, but never tried
He lied and never attempted to fix the problem
More interested in a bit on the side
He was more interested in having an affair
But never mind, I've got better things to do so
It doesn't matter, I have more important things to do
All my best wishes, from Betty Boo
Take care, Betty Boo
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Alison Clarkson, Debbie Dean, Deke Richards, Manda Glanfield, Paul Carter, Richard Walmsley, Stephen Carter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stevec1972ad
Still slammin'! Betty Boo thank you for makin me dance when 17 years old now 51.You're Amazin. Sept 2023
@gemiman5734
Ahhh memories, I was 27 when this came out, and I didn't have a care in the world apart from my playing/listening to my music and going to gigs. Good times and a lot better than they are now.
@dumptrump3788
Betty Boo was so much fun, she was different & made some dammed catchy tunes that rattled around my head for decades, until re awakened by stumbling across them here. Oh yeah.
@leongallie4347
When, in 1989, this was the last tune I heard on the radio before heading to the USA for a year out on my gap year. Before the internet came about, it was a lasting memory. Thanks Betty Boo!
@lennydicko
Ahh the days back then ❤️🔥🥰
@cdbrown48
I have always loved this group......I have both of their CD's and play them all the time. Never saw the video's before since I was in Okinawa Japan when these came out. We were about 6-9 months behind where people were in the states in all things media related. Anyway this kick's ass!!!
@juanman75
Well said suzieclair, bring back 1990. So many happy memories. Seen an interview with betty the other day on youtube, she still looks great!
@trinita1972
The Greatest Hit Song at the end of '80!!! I CAN DANCE!!! Many thanks Retrovidz !!!
@bugaboom
Thanks for posting this...It takes me back to the good ole days when I was 18
@fadetablack817
Claudia Fontaine Baby I'll never forget you RIP xxxx