Members
Richard Manitoba - lead vocals (1973-2008)
Ross "The Boss" Friedman - lead guitars/backing vocals (1973- 2008)
Scott "Top Ten" Kempner - rhythm guitars (1973-2008)
Andy Shernoff - bass (1973-1975, 1976-2008), keyboards/backing vocals (1973-2008)
Stu Boy King - drums (1974-1975; died 2018)
Ritchie Teeter - drums (1976-1980; died 2012)
Mark Mendoza - bass (1976-1977)
Mel Anderson - drums (1979)
Frank Funaro - drums (1995-1998)
J.P. Patterson - drums (1998-2008)
Discography
Go Girl Crazy (1975)
Manifest Destiny (1977)
Bloodbrothers (1978)
Fuck 'Em If They Can't Take a Joke (ROIR, 1981)
The Dictators Live, New York, New York (ROIR, 1998)
D.F.F.D. (2001)
Viva Dictators (2005)
Every Day Is Saturday (2007)
Baby Let's Twist
The Dictators Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But she ain't anymore
She was a teenage madonna
But now her clothes are all torn
She's got red lips, red lips
She's got blood on her fingertips
She's got red lips, red lips
She looks for love
Where the sun never shines
She's crying
"I'm so strange"
"I'm so strange"
Then she says
Baby, let's twist, baby let's twist
Baby, let's twist, baby let's twist
I need love; one, two, three
Cause I can't fit in society
So baby, let's twist
A safety pin in her earlobe
A tattoo on her thigh
It's a funky situation
And a treat for the eye
She's got red lips, red lips
She's got blood on her fingertips
She's got red lips, red lips
But they ain't the kind you wanna kiss
She looks for love
Where the sun never shines ...
She's crying
"I'm so strange
I'm so strange"
Then she says
Baby, let's twist, baby let's twist
Baby, let's twist, baby let's twist
I need love; one, two, three
Cause I can't fit in society
The lyrics to The Dictators' song "Baby Let's Twist" can be interpreted in a few ways, but the most prominent is that they tell the story of a young woman who is searching for love and acceptance. The opening lines reveal that she used to be lonely, but after some time, she's no longer feeling that way. The lyrics "She was a teenage madonna/But now her clothes are all torn" suggest that she was once pure and innocent, but her experiences have tarnished her.
The description of her appearance- red lips and blood on her fingertips- implies that she's been through some rough times. Her desire to find love and acceptance is expressed through the lines "She looks for love/Where the sun never shines/I'm so strange/I'm so strange." It's clear she has struggled to fit into society, and is looking for someone who will accept her for who she is, "So baby, let's twist."
The safety pin in her earlobe and tattoo on her thigh suggest that she is rebelling against societal norms, and is willing to express herself in unconventional ways. Overall, the song is about someone who has been through a lot and is looking for love and understanding in a world that doesn't seem to want to accept her.
Line by Line Meaning
Well she used to be lonely
She was once lonely, but not anymore
But she ain't anymore
She has found someone to end her loneliness
She was a teenage madonna
She used to be popular as a teenager
But now her clothes are all torn
She has gone through tough times and does not have nice clothes
She's got red lips, red lips
Her lips are bright red
She's got blood on her fingertips
She has blood on her fingertips, perhaps from self-harm
But they ain't the kind you wanna kiss
Despite being red, her lips are not attractive for kissing
She looks for love
She searches for love
Where the sun never shines
In dark and gloomy places
She's crying
She is sad and shedding tears
"I'm so strange"
She feels odd and different compared to others
"Then she says"
Following her emotional outburst, she speaks calmly again
Baby, let's twist, baby let's twist
She suggests dancing and having fun together
I need love; one, two, three
She wants love desperately
Cause I can't fit in society
She feels like an outcast and cannot conform to society's norms
A safety pin in her earlobe
She has pierced her ear with a safety pin
A tattoo on her thigh
She has a tattoo on her thigh
It's a funky situation
Her appearance and behavior are unconventional and interesting
And a treat for the eye
She is aesthetically pleasing to look at
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
1958Shemp
"She looks for love Where the sun never shines" ...brilliant!!!
Dag Nabbit
Genius Band ! Creem Magazine of the time praised this band but Creem was notorious for being anti art elitists so I did not always take them seriously . Finally listened to them . Creem was right I was wrong , Dictators had timeless sound . Classic Rock
Glenn Clackum , Jr.
The greatest rock and roll album ever recorded.. .
lonewizzard
Rock n' Roll for life!!!!!!
mfraggin
I remember buying "Bloodbrothers" as little kid in a Tempo store in Wausau, WI. My sister commented on how funny the cover looked. Got it home and listened and thought it was ... okay. About a week later I had all the songs memorized. What a great %$&king album!!!!
jason C
Same here , I first heard Faster/Louder on a hard rock station in Toronto Q107 .
exxumma
got it when it came out,,,still have it,,,in mint shape !!,,,
Alexander Voog
Because you are not a Wanker. Top 10 album of all time
Paul Marino
Funny album cover?
juan pablo omeñaca
Increíble!!!!