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)
The Next Big Thing
The Dictators Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But then I was young
I used to shiver in the wings
Till I found my own tongue
I sock 'em everywhere that I sing
Cause you know baby
I'm the Next Big Thing
I knocked 'em dead in Dallas
And I didn't pay my dues
Yeah, I knocked 'em dead in Dallas
They didn't know we were Jews
I sock 'em everywhere that I sing
Cause you know baby
I'm the Next Big Thing
I'm a fuel injected legend
I don't wanna be a bore
I just wanna live a rich life
And I wanna die poor
But I won't be happy
Till I'm known far and wide
With my face on the cover
Of the TV guide
I sock 'em everywhere that I sing
Cause you know baby
I'm the Next Big Thing
The Dictators' "The Next Big Thing" is a song about a young and ambitious performer who dreams of fame and success in the music industry. In the song, the singer reflects on his past, remembering how he used to be nervous and uncertain when performing, until he found his own voice and the confidence to perform without fear. He sings about his recent success, how he "knocked 'em dead in Dallas," and how he plans to continue making a name for himself by becoming "the Next Big Thing."
The song is filled with irony and sarcasm, as the singer's ambition and self-confidence are tempered by a sense of humor and a knowing wink. He jokes that he "didn't pay his dues" in Dallas and that "they didn't know we were Jews," poking fun at the idea that success is often based on privilege and connections rather than pure talent. He also acknowledges that he wants to live a rich and famous life, but he doesn't want to die that way, ironically suggesting that he knows that fame can be fickle and fleeting.
Ultimately, "The Next Big Thing" is a playful and energetic song about the thrill of performing and the desire for success, even as the singer acknowledges the absurdity and unfairness of the industry he is trying to conquer.
Line by Line Meaning
I used to shiver in the wings
In the past, I used to be afraid and nervous while waiting to perform
But then I was young
However, I was young and inexperienced at the time
I used to shiver in the wings
Again, I used to feel anxious and uneasy while waiting to perform
Till I found my own tongue
Until I found my own way of expressing myself through music
I sock 'em everywhere that I sing
I deliver my music with great enthusiasm and energy at every performance
Cause you know baby
Because, my audience, you are aware of my musical abilities
I'm the Next Big Thing
I am the future of musical stardom and will be greatly successful
I knocked 'em dead in Dallas
I gave a fantastic performance in Dallas that was very well received
And I didn't pay my dues
I did not have to go through the struggles and hardships that other artists do to achieve success
Yeah, I knocked 'em dead in Dallas
Once again, I had a very successful performance in Dallas
They didn't know we were Jews
The audience was unaware that we were Jewish, which shows that it doesn't matter what our background is - we can still be successful
I'm a fuel injected legend
I am a legendary musician with great energy and talent
I don't wanna be a bore
I do not want to be dull or uninteresting to my audience
I just wanna live a rich life
I want to live a fulfilling life with many experiences
And I wanna die poor
However, I would rather spend all my money and live life to the fullest than die with a lot of wealth
But I won't be happy
I will not be content
Till I'm known far and wide
Until I achieve great success and fame and my work is recognized everywhere
With my face on the cover
Being featured on the front of a magazine cover
Of the TV guide
Of a publication that provides information about television programming
I sock 'em everywhere that I sing
I deliver my music with great enthusiasm and energy at every performance
Cause you know baby
Because, my audience, you are aware of my musical abilities
I'm the Next Big Thing
I am the future of musical stardom and will be greatly successful
Lyrics ยฉ BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: ANDREW SHERNOFF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind