The Knickerbockers were discovered in Albany, New York by Jerry Fuller and signed to Challenge Records. In 1966, The Knickerbockers released their only Top 20 hit with the song 'Lies'. The Knickerbockers soon followed up with the single 'One Track Mind' yet never found the same success as Lies'.
The Knickerbockers were also known for sounding very similar to The Beatles. In the single 'Lies', everything from their sound to the personality of Buddy Randell made many people think they were a Beatles spin-off, however, The Knickerbockers just claim they were a strong influence.
Since disbanding in the early 1970's, they reformed twice. Once in 1983 and once in 1990. Sadly, in 1998, Buddy Randell passed away cancelling any plans for a third Knickerbocker reunion.
To date, The Knickerbockers currently re-issue albums on Sundazed Records, a record company ran out of Coxsackie, New York.
Land of 1000 Dances
The Knickerbockers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One, two, three!
You gotta know how to pony like Bony Maronie
Mashed Potato, do the Alligator
Put your hands on your hips, let your back-bone slip
Do the Watusi, like my little Lucy
Na, na na na na, na na na na, na na na, na na na, na na na na.
Need somebody to help me say it one time
You know I feel alright.
Feel pretty good y'all.
Na, na na na na, na na na na, na na na, na na na, na na na na.
Need somebody to help me say it one time
Na, na na na na, na na na na, na na na, na na na, na na na na.
Dance with me honey, like Long Tall Sally
Twistin' with Lucy, doin the Watusi
Gotta hold of your back, I like it like that
Do the Jerk, watch me work
Ah, do it!
The Knickerbockers's song "Land of 1000 Dances" is an upbeat dance number. In the first verse, the singer gives instructions on how to do various popular dance moves like ponying like Bony Maronie, doing the mashed potato, the alligator, and the Watusi like his little Lucy. He asks for help from the audience to sing the refrain, which is a series of nonsensical syllables. The singer then exclaims that he feels good.
In the second verse, the singer invites his honey to dance with him and mentions Long Tall Sally and Lucy. The song encourages people to dance and have a good time. The refrain is repeated, and the song ends with the singer exhorting the audience to do it.
Line by Line Meaning
One, two, three!
Begin the dance with a count-in
You gotta know how to pony like Bony Maronie
To dance well, you must know how to ride a pony like Bony Maronie
Mashed Potato, do the Alligator
Do the Mashed Potato and Alligator dance moves
Put your hands on your hips, let your back-bone slip
Put your hands on your hips, relax your spine and move to the beat
Do the Watusi, like my little Lucy
Do the Watusi dance move like my little Lucy
Na, na na na na, na na na na, na na na, na na na, na na na na.
Nonsense words to keep the beat
Need somebody to help me say it one time
I need someone to help me sing the chorus
You know I feel alright.
I feel good and energized
Dance with me honey, like Long Tall Sally
Let's dance together like Long Tall Sally
Twistin' with Lucy, doin the Watusi
We are twisting and doing the Watusi dance move with Lucy
Gotta hold of your back, I like it like that
I enjoy holding onto your back while dancing
Do the Jerk, watch me work
Do the dance move called the Jerk and watch me perform it
Ah, do it!
Encouragement to keep dancing
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Christopher Kenner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind