Drummer Victor DeLorenzo said that he would be open to recording new material with the Violent Femmes, but on July 15, 2013, it was announced that Dresden Dolls drummer Brian Viglione would be replacing DeLorenzo as the band's drummer. In a statement, DeLorenzo said "It's always hard to write a eulogy for a lost loved one. In this case, I sadly lament the loss of a dream and an ideal that was once Violent Femmes." Viglione is credited as the drummer on the 2016 release We Can Do Anything but would later be replaced by John Sparrow, who had played in the Violent Femmes backing band previously.
Their music is an innovative combination of American folk music and punk rock. The lyrics mix common adolescent themes like yearning for love, sex and affection with explorations of sin, death, and the hope of salvation. Their songs often express both a lyrical and musical sense of humor. Critics often attribute the Violent Femmes as laying the groundwork of dynamicism for the 90s grunge movement.
In its early days, the band frequently played coffee houses and street corners. They were discovered by James Honeyman-Scott (of The Pretenders) on August 23, 1981, when the band was busking on a street corner in front of the Oriental Theatre, the Milwaukee venue that The Pretenders would be playing later that night. Chrissie Hynde invited them to play a brief acoustic set after the opening act. The band signed to Slash Records and recorded their eponymous debut in July 1982.
The group quickly gained a small cult following after the release of their self-titled album that never burgeoned into widespread popularity, although a few songs from this album did get some recognition ("Add It Up", "Blister in the Sun" and "Gone Daddy Gone"). The debut album Violent Femmes went platinum ten years after its release, and "Blister in the Sun" has become an alternative rock radio staple.
dance
Violent Femmes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dance
Dance motherfucker dance
Dance motherfucker dance
Dance motherfucker dance
I say dance
Dance motherfucker dance
Dance motherfucker dance
You suckin' ugly motherfucker dance
Dance
Dance motherfucker dance
Dance motherfucker dance
Dance motherfucker dance
I say dance
Dance motherfucker dance
Dance motherfucker dance
I say dance, dance, dance, dance, dance, dance, woo
You suckin' ugly motherfucker dance
You suckin' ugly motherfucker dance
Dance
Dance motherfucker dance
Dance motherfucker dance
Dance motherfucker dance
I say dance
Dance motherfucker dance
Dance motherfucker dance
I say dance, dance, dance, dance, dance, dance, oh
You're such an ugly motherfucker dance
I say dance
Dance yeah motherfucker dance
Dance motherfucker dance
Dance motherfucker dance
I say dance
Dance motherfucker dance
Dance motherfucker dance
I say dance, dance, dance, dance, dance, dance, woo
You're such an ugly motherfucker dance
The lyrics of the Violent Femmes' song "Dance Mother Fucker Dance" seem on the surface to be merely an exhortation to dance, but upon closer inspection, there is a deeper meaning at play. The repeated phrase "you suckin' ugly motherfucker dance" suggests that this is not just a call to dance, but a directive for someone who is feeling low, unattractive, or inadequate to dance despite those feelings. Interestingly, the song's repetitive structure and driving beat give it the feeling of a ritual, as if the act of dancing is a transformative, almost cathartic experience that can help the subject of the song overcome their negative self-image.
The use of the expletive "motherfucker" is significant as well, as it suggests a confrontational, rebellious attitude that is often associated with punk music. This choice of language could be seen as a deliberate challenge to societal norms around body image, as well as an assertion of the band's own identity as outsiders. In this sense, "Dance Mother Fucker Dance" can be seen as an anthem of sorts, encouraging the listener to reject society's standards of beauty and find empowerment through movement and expression.
Line by Line Meaning
When I say dance, you best dance motherfucker
When I command you to dance, you better obey me and dance immediately, you useless person.
Dance
This is a one-word command to dance immediately.
Dance motherfucker dance
Repeating the command to dance, intensifying the tone and adding emphasis on the profanity to ensure immediate compliance.
Dance motherfucker dance
Again repeating the command to dance, for compliance, you unattractive and repulsive human being.
Dance motherfucker dance
Repeating the command to dance, for compliance, you unappealing and repugnant human being.
I say dance
Emphasizing the authority issuing the commands to dance is the singer.
Dance motherfucker dance
Emphasizing the imperative meaning of the words and intensifying the gravity of the command.
Dance motherfucker dance
Demanding immediate obedience to the command, with more emphasis on the derogatory word to enforce compliance.
I say dance, dance, dance, dance, dance, dance, woo
Emphasizing the authoritative power of the artist's command to dance, and further reiterating it to urge compliance.
You suckin' ugly motherfucker dance
Now insulting the person's appearance and reminding them of it while demanding compliance to the command to dance.
Dance
Repeating the one-word command to dance immediately and without hesitation.
Dance motherfucker dance
Insisting on immediate compliance with the command to dance, and adding more emphasis to the derogatory word.
Dance motherfucker dance
Repeating the command to dance, with more emphasis on the derogatory word, to enforce immediate obedience.
Dance motherfucker dance
Demanding compliance with the command, stating it again and intensifying the derogatory word to harm the other person's ego.
I say dance
Emphasizing again who has the authority to issue the command to dance, and urging the listener to obey this authority.
Dance motherfucker dance
Demanding compliance to the command to dance, and further emphasizing it to avoid any hesitation.
Dance motherfucker dance
Once again repeating the command to dance, with even more intensity on the derogatory word, to enforce immediate compliance.
I say dance, dance, dance, dance, dance, dance, oh
Emphasizing once again the authority to issue the command to dance, and urging immediate compliance with the repeated and intensified command.
You're such an ugly motherfucker dance
Reminding once again the person of their unattractive appearance, and commanding them to comply to the order to dance despite their unappealing looks.
I say dance
Reasserting the authority over the person to obey the command to dance, and not daring to defy it.
Dance yeah motherfucker dance
Adding more enthusiasm to the command to dance, and intensifying the derogatory word to avoid any potential resistance.
Dance motherfucker dance
Demanding compliance with the command, with even more intensity on the derogatory word, to avoid any questions or hesitations.
Dance motherfucker dance
Repeating the command to dance, again with more emphasis on the derogatory word, to eliminate any possibility of resistance.
I say dance
Once again reminding the person of the authority issuing the command to dance, and asserting control over them.
Dance motherfucker dance
Reiterating the command to dance, with even more aggression on the derogatory word, to ensure immediate compliance.
Dance motherfucker dance
Stating the command to dance again, with the emphasis on the derogatory word, and ensuring the other person obeys it without hesitation or resistance.
I say dance, dance, dance, dance, dance, dance, woo
Finalizing the authoritarian messages, ordering the person to dance immediately, and stressing the authority and urgency of the repeated command.
You're such an ugly motherfucker dance
Once again calling out the unattractiveness of the person, and enforcing the command to dance despite their physical appearance.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Carol Barber
How does it feel to be the soundtrack of my young teens???!!? 😜
Brian Callaghan
They came to play an outdoor how at Creighton University (a Jesuit university) in Omaha in the early 90’s, and you could hear the echo of this song off of the Administration building!
Carol Barber
I legit forgot about this one!!!! Great!
Casca Capulet
This song was glorious in a mosh pit.
tobarstep
I have this on CD somewhere.
Spikey Bunny
Out-Freaking-Standing!!!
Sabrina Dessi
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
jinglemeow
DANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Carol Barber
💃