Formed in 1985, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones started playing in Boston clubs in the mid-1980s. After a brief period of inactivity due to the schooling commitments of its members, they reformed and released their album Devil's Night Out on Taang! Records. The Bosstones toured relentlessly throughout the 1990s, playing hundreds of shows a year, releasing albums and spinning off the popular rock radio hit "Someday I Suppose". They were eventually signed to Mercury Records. The band appeared in the movie Clueless. In 1997, the success of their single "The Impression That I Get" and its follow up, "The Rascal King" earned them mainstream recognition. In 2000 they put out their critically acclaimed disk Pay Attention. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones released their last album on Side One Dummy Records. They officially went on hiatus in 2003, citing too much time on the road and desire to branch out and do different things. In 2007, the Bosstones announced that they were reforming. They played their 10th Hometown Throwdown in Boston and released a new album, Medium Rare, which consists of rare B-sides, and 3 new songs, including the single, "Don't Worry Desmond Dekker".
The band announced their split in early 2022.
High School Dance
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hello world Remember me?
I'm the sad little fuck that you failed to see
Who you should have recognized
When you had the chance
Hello motherfuckers now its time to dance
Hello mom-dad Is this a bad time?
If it is too bad
Disturbing you both
I'm settling scores
You fucked me up bad
This dance is yours
I love to make 'em dance dance dance dance everybody dance now
Hello student body
Hello faculty
Show of hands how many
Of you here have met me?
Not too many - who am I?
I'll try not to keep you guessin'
I'm your fucked up dance instructor
And you're here for your lesson
So dance dance dance, dance dance dance
I love to watch 'em dance now dance dance dance
Hello world
Take a look at me
Well you didn't when you should have
So I'm sure you agree
Not paying attention
Has cost you greatly
Some other little fucks
Have been dancing lately
I love to make 'em dance
Dance dance dance everybody dance now
Good-bye student body
So long faculty
Show of hands how many Of you here have met me?
Not too many - who am I?
I'll try not to keep you guessin
I'm your fucked up dance instructor
Hope you've learned your lesson so
Dance dance dance
Dance dance dance
I love making them dance now
Dance dance dance
Dance dance dance
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones' song High School Dance is a high energy, punk rock tune that speaks to the common experience of being overlooked and underestimated in adolescence. In the first verse, the singer addresses the world at large and notes how they were dismissed and ignored when they should have been seen. Now, however, they're looking for payback, and the title of the song suggests that it's going to happen at a high school dance. The second verse shifts focus to the singer's parents - they're trying to make amends but it's too late, and the singer is here to settle scores. The chorus repeats several times, implying that the singer has orchestrated something explosive and is relishing their payback.
In the third verse, the singer addresses the school directly - both the students and faculty. They ask if anyone knows them, and most don't, emphasizing their point that they were overlooked when they should have been seen. The singer clarifies that they are the "fucked up dance instructor" and everyone is here for a lesson. The final chorus repeats several times, implying that the singer has caused chaos and is loving every minute of it.
Overall, the song is a rallying cry for anyone who's felt disregarded, unseen, and misunderstood in their adolescence. It speaks to the desire for payback and the need to be recognized and respected. The high energy music and powerful vocals lend to the idea that the singer is on a mission to make themselves known, and they're not going to back down until they succeed.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello world Remember me?
Hey there, do you recall who I am?
I'm the sad little fuck that you failed to see
I'm the person you overlooked and dismissed.
Who you should have recognized When you had the chance
You missed the opportunity to acknowledge me for who I am.
Hello motherfuckers now its time to dance
Hello everyone, it's time to let loose and dance.
Hello mom-dad Is this a bad time?
Hi parents, do you have a moment to talk?
If it is too bad See the reason that I'm Disturbing you both
Regardless of whether it's convenient or not, I need to confront you for the harm you caused me.
I'm settling scores You fucked me up bad This dance is yours
I'm getting revenge for the damage you caused me, and this dance is your punishment.
I love to make 'em dance dance dance dance everybody dance now
I get pleasure from watching people let go and dance like there's no tomorrow.
Hello student body Hello faculty
Greetings, all students and faculty members.
Show of hands how many Of you here have met me?
Raise your hand if you've had the displeasure of encountering me before.
Not too many - who am I? I'll try not to keep you guessin'
As expected, not many of you know me. But I won't leave you wondering who I am.
I'm your fucked up dance instructor And you're here for your lesson
I'm the messed-up person guiding this dance, and you're here to learn from me.
So dance dance dance, dance dance dance I love to watch 'em dance now dance dance dance
Don't be shy, keep dancing. I enjoy observing people move to the rhythm.
Good-bye student body So long faculty
Farewell, everyone.
Hope you've learned your lesson so Dance dance dance Dance dance dance
I hope you've learned your lesson and can keep dancing peacefully.
I love making them dance now Dance dance dance Dance dance dance
Watching people dance and enjoy themselves is such a thrill for me.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind