Johnny go Ska
The Toasters Lyrics


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Skankin' to dis are rudie
When boss de blast ya on de orange tree
Grap your stomping boots and your Pork Pie
Sharp skin Charles is not your type

Johnny get ready and go ska tonight
Early Jamaican 60's to the late 70's
Johnny be good in a big ole

Let's rocksteady
And do on et
And scare the hell out of Johnny tonight

Johnny go ska
Go Johnny go

Johnny go ska
Go Johnny go

Johnny go ska
Go Johnny go

Johnny go ska
Go Johnny go

Aaaah Johnny go ska tonight

Johnny is now, down on his knees
To that sweet melody
Treating his feet
Dancing all night is a new way of life

Johnny get ready and go ska tonight

Early Jamaican 60's to the late 70's
Johnny be good in a big ole

Let's rocksteady, Johnny and me
Let's scare the hell out of Johnny tonight

Johnny go ska
Go Johnny go

Johnny go ska
Go Johnny go

Johnny go ska
Go Johnny go

Johnny go ska
Go Johnny go

Aaaah Johnny go ska tonight!




Aaaah Johnny go ska tonight!
Aaaah Johnny go ska tonight!

Overall Meaning

The Toasters's song "Johnny go Ska" is a classic ska tune that celebrates the rhythm and energy of the music. The song is about Johnny, who is encouraged to "go ska tonight" and embrace the lively beat of the music. The lyrics urge Johnny to "grab your stomping boots and your Pork Pie" and "let's rocksteady" as he immerses himself in the vibrant, upbeat world of ska.


The song is a nod to the early Jamaican ska scene of the 1960s and the subsequent mainstream popularity of the genre in the late 70s. The lyric "Skankin' to dis are rudie" is a reference to the Jamaican term for a fan of ska music, known as a "rude boy." The line "Sharp skin Charles is not your type" is likely a reference to the famous ska musician Prince Buster, who was also known as "The Voice of the People" or "Sir Charles." The song encourages Johnny to embrace the energetic and joyous spirit of ska and let loose on the dance floor.


Overall, "Johnny go Ska" is a catchy, upbeat celebration of the ska music scene and its vibrant energy. The lyrics encourage listeners to let go of their inhibitions and embrace the vibrant rhythms and upbeat tempo of ska music.


Line by Line Meaning

Skankin' to dis are rudie
Dancing to this music is cool and fashionable among the rude boys


When boss de blast ya on de orange tree
When the boss plays the music loudly on the jukebox


Grap your stomping boots and your Pork Pie
Get your heavy boots and stylish hat


Sharp skin Charles is not your type
The fashionable and sharp-dressed Charles is not the kind of person Johnny wants to be


Johnny get ready and go ska tonight
Johnny, prepare yourself to go out and dance to ska music tonight


Early Jamaican 60's to the late 70's
Ska music from its inception in the early 60s until its end in the late 70s


Johnny be good in a big ole
Johnny, dance well and have a good time in this large venue


Let's rocksteady
Let's dance to the slower-paced, soulful style of rocksteady


And do on et
And continue dancing all night long


And scare the hell out of Johnny tonight
And impress Johnny with our intense and exciting dancing skills tonight


Johnny go ska
Johnny, dance to ska music


Go Johnny go
Keep dancing, Johnny


Aaaah Johnny go ska tonight!
Oh wow, Johnny is going to have a blast dancing to ska music tonight!


Johnny is now, down on his knees
Johnny is completely absorbed in the music and dancing, and may even be on his knees with excitement


To that sweet melody
To the pleasing and enjoyable sounds of the music


Treating his feet
Johnny is moving his feet to the beat of the music


Dancing all night is a new way of life
Dancing to ska music all night is a new, exciting and fulfilling way of living for Johnny


Let's rocksteady, Johnny and me
Let's dance to rocksteady music together, Johnny




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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