The Dandy Warhols are strongly influenced by The Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Velvet Underground, The Beach Boys, Simon and Garfunkel, The Beatles, The Shadows and The Rolling Stones. They also include implicit musical references to My Bloody Valentine in some songs. Frontman Courtney Taylor-Taylor describes the band's beginning as a group of friends who "needed music to drink to".
Little Drummer Boy
The Dandy Warhols Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Our newborn King to see, pa-rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King pa-rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum. rum pum pum pum
So to honor Him pa-rum pum pum pum
When we come
I am a poor boy too, pa-rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring pa-rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give our King pa- rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
Shall I play for you, pa-rum pum pum pum
on my drum?
Mary nodded pa-rum pum pum pum
The Ox and Lamb kept time pa-rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him pa-rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him pa -rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
Then He smiled at me pa-rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum
The Dandy Warhols's version of Little Drummer Boy is a nostalgic take on the traditional Christmas carol. The lyrics begin with the story of the Magi who were called to see the newborn King by a divine sign, and they go with their best gifts to present to him. The chorus of 'pa-rum pum pum pum' resembles the sound of a drummer, which is what this version of the song focuses on. The lyrics then change to the perspective of a poor boy who was also called to see the King. The boy has nothing valuable to offer the King, except his drumming skills, which he offers to perform to pay his respects. The chorus of 'rum pum pum pum' follows every verse, emphasizing the sound of drums.
The third verse talks about how the animals around the baby Jesus, the ox, and lamb, kept time to the little drummer boy's beat. The boy played the best he could in honor of the King and was rewarded by a smile from him. The song is not just about giving materialistic gifts to pay respects to the King but also about using one's skills and abilities to do so. The Dandy Warhols have given the traditional carol a new identity by emphasizing the sound of the drums, which adds an energetic and lively feel to the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum
They summoned me with the sound of the drumbeat
Our newborn King to see, pa-rum pum pum pum
To witness the birth of the infant King
Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum pum pum pum
We present our most precious offerings
To lay before the King pa-rum pum pum pum
To place them in front of the King
Rum pum pum pum. rum pum pum pum
The sound of the drums
So to honor Him pa-rum pum pum pum
To pay respect to Him
When we come
As we arrive
Little Baby pa-rum pum pum pum
The small newborn child
I am a poor boy too, pa-rum pum pum pum
I am also a humble and impoverished child
I have no gift to bring pa-rum pum pum pum
I do not possess any present worthy of the King
That's fit to give our King pa- rum pum pum pum
That is suitable to offer to our Lord
Shall I play for you, pa-rum pum pum pum
May I perform music for you
on my drum?
Using the beat of my instrument
Mary nodded pa-rum pum pum pum
Mary agreed with a nod
The Ox and Lamb kept time pa-rum pum pum pum
The animals kept rhythm with the drumbeat
I played my drum for Him pa-rum pum pum pum
I played music for Him with my percussion instrument
I played my best for Him pa -rum pum pum pum
I gave Him my utmost best with the music I played
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
The sound of the drums
Then He smiled at me pa-rum pum pum pum
Then the baby Jesus smiled at me
Me and my drum
Just me and my percussion instrument
Lyrics © INTERNATIONAL KORWIN CORP, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harry Simeone, Henry V Onorati, Katherine Kennicot Davis, Lorenzo Definti
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@AustSaint
Part of my Christmas tradition, I always play the Dandy's version during Christmas..
@silentearthworm
I loved this song as a little kid, and I absolutely LOVE this version
@christinesimony413
This reminds me of my younger brothers in Middle School . . .
@FlyingCheezBurgers
R.I.P Jeffery Wonderful (the man dancing in his tighty whities with the santa hat)
@reidsmith9875
I'm sure it had ...nothing to do with narcotics.
@adambravo2353
Oh of course drugs were involved. Love drugs!
@CourtyardPigeon
I've listened to this every year since it came out. Love this rendition.
@galericulus9736
Very nice treatment of a lovely old Christmas classic. Distinctly Little Drummer Boy but unmistakably Dandy Warhols at the same time.
@daylelofty5864
Heard this today for the first time on radio x, I love it!!!!!
@enki9227
Best cover ever!