Rhythm-a-Ning
Thelonious Monk Lyrics


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What is this?
Lotion music
I like this lotion music
Swag...

Nina Dobrev!
Nick Braun!
Not Nina Braun
Or Nick Dobrev

Swagged out in the hot hot summer sun
And this track feels like a hot hot number one...

Oh... no... Summer joy here we go...
What...? What...? What?
Rub a lotion in to your skin...
(Nick, Nina)

Boy, it's hot!
95 degrees
"I think I'm stayin' home today"
What? Bitch, please!

See I 've got the lotion
To head up to the ocean
STOP!
Forgot my sun tan lotion

Summer, summer, summer always gets me very nervous
(Yikes)
Cause my largest organ on my body is my epidermis
(Skin)
I'm puttin' so much lotion on and they just tell me to stop it!
"Hello Banana Boat, no, Hawaiian Tropic"

All I need, all I need, all I need is my SPF!

Like fresh prince needed Jazzy Jeff
(What?)

All I need is my SPF!

Call me a chicken but
I hate a roastin'
Yeah I'm tan but I'm easily toasted
I'm tanned cause I'm Bulgarian
Крем за слънчева
Don't mistake it for Hungarian!

I keep tannin', (tannin')
I keep fannin', (fannin')
I can't stop to push your toes in the sand
And let me hold your hand
While we're leathered up in this lotion.
Let's get real romantic
Man, I mean, girl!
(What?)

All I need, all I need, all I need is my SPF!

Like Will Smith in the Wild, Wild West,
(What?)
All I need is my SPF!

Applying, applying, applying, applying, applying, applying, applying the...
Apply, apply, apply, apply...
EXPLOSION!

The sun is like a drug
I love my complexion
So I've gotta use protection
I'm not talking 'bout Trojan
It's not a secret potion...
(I guess I need the Ocen)

All I need, all I need, all I need is my SPF!

"Hancock"
"The Pursuit of Happiness"
All I need is my SPF!





He puts the lotion on it's skin
I love you Will!

Overall Meaning

The above lyrics are from a parody song by the YouTube comedy duo - Rhett and Link. The song is titled "Rub Some Bacon On It" and is a humorous take on the importance of using sunscreen during summers. The lyrics describe the feeling of being out in the sun on a hot summer day and the realization of forgetting the crucial sun tan lotion. The song urges the listeners to apply sunscreen to protect their skin from over-exposure to the sun. It also describes the different types of sunscreen and the various ways of applying it, including rubbing bacon on the skin (which, of course, is not recommended).


The lyrics are interspersed with humorous references to various pop culture icons such as Nina Dobrev, Nick Braun, Will Smith, and the movies "Hancock" and "The Pursuit of Happiness". The chorus of the song repeats the line "All I need is my SPF" which reinforces the importance of using sunscreen for sun protection. Overall, the song is a light-hearted take on a serious issue and encourages people to take care of their skin during summers.


Line by Line Meaning

What is this?
Introducing the song and its lighthearted, humorous nature


Lotion music
Referring to the theme of the song, which is sun tanning and using SPF lotion


I like this lotion music
Expressing enjoyment of the song and its theme


Swag...
Adding a humorous and catchy tagline to the song


Nina Dobrev!
Calling out the actress's name for humorous effect


Nick Braun!
Calling out the actor's name for humorous effect


Not Nina Braun
Clarifying that the previous two names do not combine


Or Nick Dobrev
Further clarifying that the names do not combine


Swagged out in the hot hot summer sun
Describing enjoying the sun and warm weather with a sense of cool style


And this track feels like a hot hot number one...
Comparing the quality of the song to a chart-topping hit


Oh... no... Summer joy here we go...
Building excitement and anticipation for the summer season


What...? What...? What?
Adding a fun and catchy refrain to the song


Rub a lotion in to your skin...
Providing instructions for using SPF lotion to avoid sunburn


(Nick, Nina)
Adding the names from earlier in the song for humorous effect


Boy, it's hot!
Reacting to the heat of summer weather


95 degrees
Noting the high temperature


"I think I'm stayin' home today"
Considering avoiding the heat by staying indoors


What? Bitch, please!
Reacting to the idea of staying inside with a sass response


See I've got the lotion
Reminding listeners of the theme of the song, using SPF lotion to avoid getting sunburned


To head up to the ocean
Describing heading to the beach for summer fun


STOP!
Interrupting the previous line for humorous effect


Forgot my sun tan lotion
Joking about forgetting to bring the very thing the song is about


Summer, summer, summer always gets me very nervous
Acknowledging the dangers of sunburn and the importance of using SPF lotion


(Yikes)
Adding a humorous aside to the previous line


Cause my largest organ on my body is my epidermis
Explaining why it's important to protect skin with SPF lotion


(Skin)
Clarifying what the epidermis is


I'm puttin' so much lotion on and they just tell me to stop it!
Joking about applying excessive amounts of lotion and being told to stop


"Hello Banana Boat, no, Hawaiian Tropic"
Jokingly suggesting that other brands have been tried and rejected


All I need, all I need, all I need is my SPF!
Repeating the importance of using SPF lotion in a humorous way


Like fresh prince needed Jazzy Jeff
Comparing the need for SPF lotion to the Fresh Prince of Bel Air needing his sidekick Jazzy Jeff


(What?)
Adding a humorously confused response


All I need is my SPF!
Reiterating the need for SPF lotion for sun protection


Call me a chicken but
Prefacing an admission that some people might think is cowardly


I hate a roastin'
Admitting to disliking getting a sunburn


Yeah I'm tan but I'm easily toasted
Joking about being tan but still susceptible to sunburn


I'm tanned cause I'm Bulgarian
Explaining why the artist has a tan


Крем за слънчева
Using Bulgarian language for humorous effect, when translated, means "sunscreen"


Don't mistake it for Hungarian!
Humorously distinguishing between neighboring countries and languages


I keep tannin', (tannin')
Jokingly pretending to ignore the need for SPF lotion and continuing to tan anyway


I keep fannin', (fannin')
Joking about attempting to cool off in the hot sun


I can't stop to push your toes in the sand
Describing being very invested in sun-tanning and not wanting to waste any time


And let me hold your hand
Hinting at a romantic tone to the song


While we're leathered up in this lotion.
Using a humorous phrase to describe wearing SPF lotion for sun protection


Let's get real romantic
Following through on the hinted romantic element


Man, I mean, girl!
Jokingly correcting the previous romantic line to be less heteronormative


Applying, applying, applying, applying, applying, applying, applying the...
Parodying the repetition of a catchy pop song chorus


Apply, apply, apply, apply...
Further emphasizing the need to apply SPF lotion often


EXPLOSION!
Ending the catchy refrain in a humorous and unexpected way


The sun is like a drug
Comparing the addictive nature of drugs to the temptation of tanning in the sun


I love my complexion
Explaining why the singer is still tempted by the sun


So I've gotta use protection
Acknowledging the importance of using SPF lotion for sun protection


I'm not talking 'bout Trojan
Jokingly clarifying that the protection being discussed is SPf lotion, not condoms


It's not a secret potion...
Playing off the idea of SPF lotion being a "magic potion" to keep skin from getting sunburned


(I guess I need the Ocen)
Ending the song with a humorous non sequitur, asking for something that is unrelated to the previous lines


He puts the lotion on it's skin
Referencing a line from the movie 'Silence of the Lambs' for humorous effect


I love you Will!
Jokingly professing love for Will Smith, who has been referenced throughout the song




Writer(s): Thelonious Monk, Monk Thelonious

Contributed by Jeremiah S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Postatility

The shortest version of this Also the most perfect.....no waste,told by two great storytellers,Monk and Rouse.

sanjursan

Rouse. Rouse! He did not need artsy flourishes, he put it straight out there with power. I am a real fan of the hard Bop class of music. I truly believe that this performance by Charlie Rouse is the very best example of the Tenor Sax in Hard Bop. Just sayin ...

Becky Bigbones

No one plays like Monk...Thank you God!!!

Doc E

perhaps that close-micd hi-hat (on 2 and 4) at the start of the tenor solo was SO perfect it killed jazz (half-time back-beat)....? Monk's accidental ham-fisted notes are so modern (think; eg scofield) like with an A-natural and Ab on an F 7.. and the whole rhythm section is just so full of quiet energy... I love this so much..

Andres Guenulef "El Príncipe 🤴"

De aquí salió la inspiración del tema "la marcha del golazo solitario" de Los Fabulosos Cadillacs!
23 años después me doy cuenta jajaja

Doc E

voy a escuchar-lo gracias...

Postatility

I know I've commented on this classic piece before, but just one more thing.I was in kind of a down state of mind until I listened to it..... and then... 😁

Metaview X

It's one of the things I like about Monk's music...called by some the "ludic quality" in his music. Cheers!

royalhartigan

great, charlie rouse, thelonious monk, and frankie dunlop! dunlop speaks with his sonds deep!! swings beyond! just like mr. rouse, mr. dunlop is the perfect partner for mr. monk, his snare and bass drums enhance the conversation!

Ben Milstein

sick jam!

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