Dancing in the Street
The Mamas & the Papas Lyrics
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Are you ready for a brand new beat?
Summer's here and the time is right
For dancin' in the streets
They're dancin' in Chicago
Down in New Orleans
Up in New York City
Sweet music (sweet music)
There'll be music everywhere (everywhere)
There'll be swingin', swayin' and records playin'
And dancin' in the streets
Oh, it doesn't matter what you wear
Just as long as you are there
So come on, every guy (come on) grab a girl
Everywhere around the world
There'll be dancing
They're dancing in the street
This is an invitation
Across the nation
A chance for the folks to meet
There'll be laughin', singin', and music swingin'
And dancin' in the streets
Philadelphia, P.A. (Philadelphia, P.A.)
Baltimore and DC now (Baltimore and DC now)
Yeah, don't forget the Motor City
(Can't forget the Motor City)
All we need is music (sweet music)
Sweet music (sweet music)
There'll be music everywhere (everywhere)
There'll be swingin', swayin' and records playin'
And dancin' in the street, yeah
Oh, it doesn't matter what you wear
Just as long as you are there
So come on, every guy (come on, come on) grasp a girl
Everywhere around the world
There'll be dan-, fun
They dancin' in the streets
Philadelphia, P.A. (Philadelphia, P.A.)
Baltimore and DC now (Baltimore and DC now)
Can't we forget that Motor City
(Can't forget the Motor City)
Way down in L.A., California
(Way down in L.A., California)
Not to mention Halifax, Nova Scotia (not to mention, indeed)
Or Long Barn, they do that Riverdale, cream you know (yes, I know)
Manchester (and, oh, Amherst, Amherst)
Alexandria (Virginia, Virginia)
Falls Church (where's that?)
Oh, Boyle Heights (Boyle Heights, never heard of it)
The Mamas & the Papas's "Dancing in the Street" is a classic party song that evokes feelings of summertime joy and celebration. The song draws listeners in with its upbeat tone, catchy lyrics, and infectious rhythm. The opening lines of the song, "Callin' out around the world, are you ready for a brand new beat? Summer's here and the time is right, for dancin' in the streets," sets the stage for an epic dance party that is about to take place.
The song describes crowds dancing and having a good time in several different locations across America, from Chicago and New Orleans to Philadelphia, DC, and Los Angeles. The lyrics create a vivid picture of a festive atmosphere, with music playing everywhere, people coming together to dance, laugh, and sing.
The song's lyrics communicate a message of unity and inclusion, encouraging people of all walks of life to come together and celebrate. It speaks to the power of music to transcend differences and bring people together in joyful harmony.
Overall, "Dancing in the Street" is an embodiment of the spirit of celebration and joy that comes with summertime, dancing, and good music.
Line by Line Meaning
Callin' out around the world
A global invitation for people to come together and dance
Are you ready for a brand new beat?
Asking the world if they are prepared for an exciting new era of music
Summer's here and the time is right
The season for dancing is upon us
For dancin' in the streets
Encouraging people to dance and enjoy the new music
They're dancin' in Chicago
People in Chicago are already enjoying the new music
Down in New Orleans
People in New Orleans are also dancing
Up in New York City
Even people in New York City are joining in on the fun
All we need is music (sweet music)
Music is the key ingredient to this new era of dancing
Sweet music (sweet music)
The type of music is fun and pleasant
There'll be music everywhere (everywhere)
Music is going to be all around the world
There'll be swingin', swayin' and records playin'
People will be dancing and enjoying music from recorded sources
And dancin' in the streets
The community is celebrating and dancing together
Oh, it doesn't matter what you wear
It doesn't matter how people dress, as long as they show up and have fun
Just as long as you are there
The focus is on people's attendance, not their appearance
So come on, every guy (come on) grab a girl
Encouraging men to ask women to join them in dancing
Everywhere around the world
This global celebration is happening everywhere
This is an invitation
Explaining that everyone is welcome to join the fun
Across the nation
Reiterating that this celebration is happening everywhere
A chance for the folks to meet
An opportunity for people to socialize and dance together
There'll be laughin', singin', and music swingin'
Everyone is going to be having a good time at this celebration
Philadelphia, P.A. (Philadelphia, P.A.)
Philadelphia is another city where people are already celebrating
Baltimore and DC now (Baltimore and DC now)
Baltimore and DC are two cities where people are also dancing
Yeah, don't forget the Motor City
Not to be forgotten is Detroit, another city where people are celebrating
(Can't forget the Motor City)
Reemphasizing that Detroit must be included in this celebration
Way down in L.A., California
Even Los Angeles is participating in this global celebration
(not to mention, indeed)
Halifax, Nova Scotia is another city that we shouldn't forget about
(yes, I know)
There are many places where people are dancing, such as Long Barn and Riverdale in California
(and, oh, Amherst, Amherst)
Another place where people are celebrating is Amherst, possibly in Massachusetts
(Virginia, Virginia)
Alexandria and Falls Church in Virginia are participating too
(Boyle Heights, never heard of it)
Even places like Boyle Heights are joining in on the fun
There'll be dan-, fun
A playful play-on-words, indicating that people will have a good time dancing
They dancin' in the streets
Reiterating that this celebration is a community event involving people from all different places
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Marvin Gaye, William Stevenson, Ivy Hunter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@glamdolly30
@@patrickcolliano7320 Oh don't get me wrong - I don't mean to put down Michelle, John or Denny. There's no question every member of the group was uniquely gifted, and each of them brought something special to the party.
It's the combination of those four individuals that made 'The Mamas & the Papas' legendary. Their harmonies were sublime, and together they generated sheer magic.
But I think it's clear only Cass Elliot had the potential to make it as a major solo artist. As your post expressed so succinctly, Cass is the one who is moving beautifully here, and the one your eyes are irresistibly drawn to. For me, her voice is one of the 20th Century's most iconic. Yes it's sweet irony, as John Phillips fought long and hard to exclude her from the group, convinced her physical size would be an obstacle to their success - and always making her cruelly well-aware of his view!
Cass not only proved John wrong, she emerged from the band's break-up in 1968 a fully fledged star. As the group's founder, leader, main songwriter, musician and arranger - and a big league narcissist - John struggled to handle her success with grace.
It's such a tragedy her life was cut short at just 32, and we only got to see a fraction of her glorious solo career. I'm just glad when she died in London she was the toast of the town during her sell-out Palladium shows, rubbing shoulders with pop royalty including John Lennon and Mick Jagger. Cass had achieved success on her own - and on her own terms - free of John Phillips' control and the 'Mama' tag she loathed. She died in her sleep, happy in the knowledge she stood in no one's shadow, and had at last seen her own name in lights, as she fully deserved.
I recently saw a 1980s interview with John Phillips, during which he was inevitably asked about Cass Elliot, her life and premature death. He was clearly defensive the moment she was mentioned, and launched into a well-worn speech about what great pals they were, and how they were always joking and joshing each other. This was how he re-framed his well documented, relentless mockery of her weight. In terms of their legacies, I think it's fair to say Cass Elliot had the last laugh!
@glamdolly30
Cass moved beautifully, God love her. And what a voice - sublime! She was the star of this group by a million miles.
@javyjavyjavyjavy
she is the only one dancing, just a star!
@donnahodges5596
Only one not mediocre
@patrickcolliano7320
I wouldn’t go that far. Denny was also a powerhouse vocalist. And John, while not a strong singer, wrote some amazing harmonies. Michelle, John’s beautiful wife, was ornamental.
What I find interesting about this “performance” (it’s a lipsynch) is that it’s a song about dancing, and the only one who can dance is the morbidly obese woman that John fought so hard to keep out.
@glamdolly30
@@patrickcolliano7320 Oh don't get me wrong - I don't mean to put down Michelle, John or Denny. There's no question every member of the group was uniquely gifted, and each of them brought something special to the party.
It's the combination of those four individuals that made 'The Mamas & the Papas' legendary. Their harmonies were sublime, and together they generated sheer magic.
But I think it's clear only Cass Elliot had the potential to make it as a major solo artist. As your post expressed so succinctly, Cass is the one who is moving beautifully here, and the one your eyes are irresistibly drawn to. For me, her voice is one of the 20th Century's most iconic. Yes it's sweet irony, as John Phillips fought long and hard to exclude her from the group, convinced her physical size would be an obstacle to their success - and always making her cruelly well-aware of his view!
Cass not only proved John wrong, she emerged from the band's break-up in 1968 a fully fledged star. As the group's founder, leader, main songwriter, musician and arranger - and a big league narcissist - John struggled to handle her success with grace.
It's such a tragedy her life was cut short at just 32, and we only got to see a fraction of her glorious solo career. I'm just glad when she died in London she was the toast of the town during her sell-out Palladium shows, rubbing shoulders with pop royalty including John Lennon and Mick Jagger. Cass had achieved success on her own - and on her own terms - free of John Phillips' control and the 'Mama' tag she loathed. She died in her sleep, happy in the knowledge she stood in no one's shadow, and had at last seen her own name in lights, as she fully deserved.
I recently saw a 1980s interview with John Phillips, during which he was inevitably asked about Cass Elliot, her life and premature death. He was clearly defensive the moment she was mentioned, and launched into a well-worn speech about what great pals they were, and how they were always joking and joshing each other. This was how he re-framed his well documented, relentless mockery of her weight. In terms of their legacies, I think it's fair to say Cass Elliot had the last laugh!
@cjm10203
There will never be another case Elliot. God rest her soul
@james_hondo
Watching Cass dance that incredibly smooth shuffle is sheer joy! I watch this a couple of times a week for instant happiness.
@lustforkicks7392
I love her footwork as well! She was sweet as sugar!
~Dutch
@glamdolly30
Agreed, Cass was gorgeous, charismatic beyond, and that rare thing - a star. We shall not see her like again.
@maggiewoo6186
Loved her feet moving ❤, beautiful Lady with a powerful voice and personality