America
Tony Evans And His Orchestra Lyrics


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Up here in the land of the hot-dog stand
The atom bomb and the Good Humor Man
We think our South American neighbors are grand
We love 'em to beat the band

South America, baba-loo, ay-yi-yi, baba-loo
One favor you can do, ay-yi-yi, you can do
You beautiful lands below
Don't know what you began
To put it plainly, I'm tired of shakin'
To that Pan-American plan

Take back your Samba, ay!, your Rumba, ay!, your Conga, ay-yi-yi!
I can't keep movin', ay!, my chassis, ay!, any longer, ay-yi-yi!
Now maybe Latins, ay!, in their middles, ay!, are built stronger, ay-yi-yi!
But all this takin' to the quakin' and this makin' with the shakin' leaves me achin', olé!

First shake around and settle there
Then you shake around and settle here
Then you shake around and settle there
That's enough, that's enough
Take it back, my spine's outta-whack
There's a strange click-clack
In the back of my Sacroiliac

Take back your Conga, ay!, your Samba, ay!, your Rumba, ay-yi-yi!
Why can't you send us, ay!, a less strenu-, ay!, -ous number, ay-yi-yi!
I got more bumps now, ay!, than on a, ay!, cucumber, ay-yi-yi!
While all those Latin drums are cloppin', like a Jumpin' Jack I'm hoppin' without stoppin', olé!
South America, take it away

First you shake around and settle there (where?)
Then you shake around and settle here (oh, there)
And then you shake around and settle there (why Bing!)
That's enough, that's enough
Take it back, my spine's outta-whack
There's a strange click-clack
In the back of my Sacroiliac
Oh, my achin' back

Take back your Conga, ay!, your Samba, ay!, your Rumba, ay-yi-yi!
Bring back the old days, ay!, of dancing I remember, ay-yi-yi!
My hips are cracking, I am shrieking ""Ay-Carumba!"", ay-yi-yi!
I got a wriggle and a diddle and a jiggle like a fiddle in my middle, olé!
This fancy swishin' imposition wears out all of my transmission ammunition, olé!




Though I like neighborly relations all these crazy new gyrations try my patience, olé!
South America, take it away

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Tony Evans And His Orchestra's song "America" depict a humorous perspective on the influence of Latin American music and dance on American culture. The singer, presumably an American, expresses a love and appreciation for their South American neighbors but is also tired and physically worn out from constantly shaking and moving to the energetic Latin rhythms.


The song begins by referencing iconic American symbols such as the hot-dog stand and the atom bomb, highlighting the distinctiveness of American culture. However, it also acknowledges the admiration for South America, portraying a positive attitude towards the region and its people.


Throughout the song, the singer humorously complains about the constant shaking and dancing associated with Latin American music and dances like the Samba, Rumba, and Conga. They playfully suggest that the Latin Americans are built stronger in the middle, attributing their ability to endure these dance movements. Meanwhile, the singer lightheartedly expresses their own physical strain, with their spine out of whack and a strange click-clack in their Sacroiliac (lower back).


The lyrics amusingly call for a break from the energetic Latin music and dance, requesting a less strenuous number to alleviate their physical discomfort. Despite the singer's playful frustration, they ultimately maintain a sense of neighborly relations and appreciation for South America.


Overall, the lyrics of "America" provide a comedic take on the impact of Latin American music and dance on American culture, showcasing the love and exhaustion that comes with embracing these vibrant rhythms.




Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HAROLD ROME

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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