Yakety Yak
The Coaster Lyrics

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Take out the papers and the trash
Or you don't get no spendin' cash
If you don't scrub that kitchen floor
You ain't gonna rock and roll no more
Yakety yak (don't talk back)

Just finish cleanin' up your room
Let's see that dust fly with that broom

Get all that garbage out of sight
Or you don't go out Friday night
Yakety yak (don't talk back)

You just put on your coat and hat
And walk yourself to the laundromat
And when you finish doin' that
Bring in the dog and put out the cat
Yakety yak (don't talk back)

Don't you give me no dirty looks
Your father's hip, he knows what cooks
Just tell your hoodlum friend outside
You ain't got time to take a ride
Yakety yak (don't talk back)

Yakety yak, yakety yak
Yakety yak, yakety yak

Yakety yak, yakety yak
Yakety yak, yakety yak

Overall Meaning

The Coasters' hit song Yakety Yak gives a humorous take on communicating with teenagers about cleaning up their surroundings. The lyrics present a familiar situation to most parents where adolescents are continuously reminded to keep the house clean or complete their chores before being able to indulge in their favourite activities. Through the lyrics, the band breaks down the various tasks that teenagers are required to do, such as taking out the trash, cleaning the kitchen floor, finishing up cleaning their rooms, and doing laundry. The title of the song 'Yakety Yak' signifies the unnecessary and trivial conversations young people may have with their elders when they're told to do something they may not have wanted to do initially.

The lyrics use the repetition of "Yakety yak" as a metaphor for the back and forth conversation between the parent and child. By repeating it several times throughout the song, it acts as a reminder to both the teenager and the listener about the importance of taking responsibility and keeping a clean living space. The music of the song is upbeat and vibrant, reprising the central theme of the song, which is having fun while doing something positive.

Line by Line Meaning

Take out the papers and the trash
If you want to get any money to spend, you need to do your chores and take out the trash.

Or you don't get no spendin' cash
You won't receive any money to spend if you don't do your chores.

If you don't scrub that kitchen floor
If you don't clean the kitchen floor, you won't be able to have fun and dance to rock and roll music anymore.

You ain't gonna rock and roll no more
If you don't do your chores, you won't be able to have fun and dance to rock and roll music anymore.

Yakety yak (don't talk back)
Stop complaining and do what you're told.

Just finish cleanin' up your room
Clean your room completely and thoroughly.

Let's see that dust fly with that broom
Clean your room so well that the dust flies everywhere with the broom's movement.

Get all that garbage out of sight
Throw away all of the garbage so that it's not visible anymore.

Or you don't go out Friday night
You won't be able to go out and have fun with your friends on Friday night if you don't finish your chores.

You just put on your coat and hat
Get ready to go outside by putting on your coat and hat.

And walk yourself to the laundromat
Go to the laundromat by yourself.

And when you finish doin' that
After you finish doing the laundry...

Bring in the dog and put out the cat
Bring your dog inside and put your cat outside.

Don't you give me no dirty looks
Don't give me any angry or disrespectful looks.

Your father's hip, he knows what cooks
Your dad is cool and knows what's going on.

Just tell your hoodlum friend outside
Inform your trouble-prone friend who is outside of your house...

You ain't got time to take a ride
You don't have time to go with him on a ride or adventure.

Yakety yak (don't talk back)
Stop complaining and do what you're told.

Yakety yak, yakety yak
Stop talking and start working.

Lyrics © Tratore, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BELINDA ABERBACH STEVENSON AGAR REVOCABLE TRUST, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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