Zombie Dance
The Cramps - Topic Lyrics
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They tap their toes
But they don't get sweaty
They don't give a damn
They're done dead already
At the Zombie Dance nobody moves
They tap their toes
Yeah
They do 'The Boogaloo' at the Zombie Hall
They write "BORN TO LOSE"
On Zombie restroom wall
The kinda life they choose
Ain't life at all
At the Zombie Dance nobody moves
They tap their toes
Yeah, wiggle their ears to get in the groove
Yeah (move)
Everybody calm down nobody blow their cool
Nobody hang around zombie dancing school
They do the swim face down
In the Zombie pool
At the Zombie Dance nobody moves
They tap their toes
Yeah, wiggle their ears to get in the groove
Yeah
At the Zombie Dance nobody moves
Yeah
The lyrics to "Zombie Dance" by The Cramps paint a vivid picture of a surreal and dystopian scene at a gathering known as the Zombie Dance. The song seems to describe a group of undead individuals who continue to partake in a dance, despite being dead already. Ben and Betty are introduced as figures who nonchalantly tap their toes without breaking a sweat, embodying a sense of indifference towards their undead state.
The repetitive mention of tapping toes and wiggling ears at the Zombie Dance sets the eerie and otherworldly tone of the song. The lyrics suggest a sense of stagnation and lack of vitality, with the zombies appearing to go through the motions of dancing without any true sense of life or energy. The mention of doing 'The Boogaloo' and writing "BORN TO LOSE" on the restroom wall underscores the bleak and fatalistic nature of the zombies' existence.
The theme of resignation and acceptance of their undead fate is further explored in the lyrics, as the zombies at the dance seem content with their unlife. The lyrics imply that for the zombies, their chosen lifestyle of perpetual dancing and existence in a Zombie Hall is not truly living at all. The imagery of the zombies moving in a synchronized manner, tapping toes and wiggling ears, creates a haunting and surreal effect.
The final stanza of the song introduces the concept of a zombie dancing school and the zombies swimming face down in a Zombie pool, further emphasizing the grotesque and bizarre nature of their existence. The repetition of the phrase "At the Zombie Dance nobody moves" serves to drive home the sense of stillness and eerie calmness that pervades this undead gathering. Overall, the lyrics of "Zombie Dance" by The Cramps offer a bleak and macabre commentary on the idea of a dance of the undead, where the living dead continue to move in a state of numbness and resignation.
Line by Line Meaning
At the Zombie Dance here's Ben and Betty
Here at the Zombie Dance, we have Ben and Betty, two undead individuals ready to join in the festivities
They tap their toes
They subtly move to the beat, enjoying the music without exerting much energy
But they don't get sweaty
Unlike living dancers, the zombies do not perspire as they move
They don't give a damn
Unconcerned with societal norms or expectations, they just focus on enjoying themselves
They're done dead already
Having already passed on, they have nothing to fear and simply embrace their undead status
They tap their toes
Continuing to move in a simple yet rhythmic manner
Yeah, wiggle their ears to get in the groove
They find joy in small movements, such as wiggling their ears, to feel connected to the music
They do 'The Boogaloo' at the Zombie Hall
Engaging in a classic dance move, showcasing their unique style at the undead gathering
They write "BORN TO LOSE" On Zombie restroom wall
Expressing their acceptance of their fate through graffiti, embracing their identity as zombies
The kinda life they choose Ain't life at all
Recognizing that their existence as zombies is not the same as living, but they find fulfillment in their own way
Everybody calm down nobody blow their cool
Encouraging a peaceful atmosphere at the dance, avoiding any conflict or agitation
Nobody hang around zombie dancing school
There is no need for formal training or rules at the Zombie Dance, just pure enjoyment
They do the swim face down In the Zombie pool
Engaging in a unique swimming style, face down, demonstrating their carefree attitude towards life
At the Zombie Dance nobody moves
Despite the lack of physical movement, the zombies are fully immersed in the music and the moment
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
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