Walk The Dinosaur
Was (Not Was) Lyrics


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Boom boom acka-lacka lacka boom
Boom boom acka-lacka boom boom

It was a night like this forty million years ago
I lit a cigarette, picked up a monkey skull to go
The sun was spitting fire, the sky was blue as ice
I felt a little tired, so I watched Miami Vice
And walked the dinosaur, I walked the dinosaur

Open the door, get on the floor
Everybody walk the dinosaur
Open the door, get on the floor
Everybody walk the dinosaur
Open the door, get on the floor
Everybody walk the dinosaur
Open the door, get on the floor
Everybody walk the dinosaur

I met you in a cave, you were painting buffalo
I said I'd be your slave, follow wherever you go
That night we split a rattlesnake and danced beneath the stars
You fell asleep, I stayed awake and watched the passing cars
And walked the dinosaur, I walked the dinosaur

Open the door, get on the floor
Everybody walk the dinosaur
Open the door, get on the floor
Everybody walk the dinosaur
Open the door, get on the floor
Everybody walk the dinosaur
Open the door, get on the floor
Everybody walk the dinosaur

One night I dreamed of New York
You and I roasting blue pork
In the Statue of Liberty's torch
Elvis landed in a rocket ship
Healed a couple of leapers and disappeared
But where was his beard?

A shadow from the sky much too big to be a bird
A screaming crashing noise louder than I've ever heard
It looked like two big silver trees that somehow learned to soar
Suddenly a summer breeze and a mighty lion's roar
I killed the dinosaur, I killed the dinosaur

Open the door, get on the floor
Everybody kill the dinosaur
Open the door, get on the floor
Everybody kill the dinosaur
Open the door, get on the floor
Everybody kill the dinosaur
Open the door, get on the floor
Everybody kill the dinosaur
Repeat chorus 2 one time




Boom boom acka-lacka lacka boom
Boom boom acka-lacka boom boom

Overall Meaning

"Walk the Dinosaur" by Was (Not Was) is a fun and funky song that tells a story about a caveman who takes a girl out for a groovy time. The song's opening lines, "Boom boom acka-lacka lacka boom / Boom boom acka-lacka boom boom," create a catchy, upbeat rhythm that continues throughout the entire track. The lyrics describe a wild adventure back in prehistoric times when the world was a very different place. The main character recalls a night spent watching Miami Vice and hanging out with a dinosaur. He also tells the story of how he met a girl while painting buffalo in a cave and the night they spent together beneath the stars.


The chorus, "Open the door, get on the floor / Everybody walk the dinosaur," is a fun and energetic call to action that encourages listeners to dance and have fun. The repetition of the phrase, "Walk the dinosaur," throughout the song reinforces the playful nature of the track and encourages listeners to let loose and enjoy themselves. The lyrics also include references to some pop culture icons, such as Elvis and the Statue of Liberty, that add an extra layer of humor and frivolity to the song.


Overall, "Walk the Dinosaur" is a lively and entertaining song that captures the spirit of carefree fun and encourages listeners to let go of their inhibitions and get down on the dance floor.


Line by Line Meaning

Boom boom acka-lacka lacka boom
A sound-effect indicating something explosive or exciting is happening


Boom boom acka-lacka boom boom
Reiteration of previous line


It was a night like this forty million years ago
Introducing a story about a distant time in the past


I lit a cigarette, picked up a monkey skull to go
Setting the scene with a specific detail that suggests a primitive or wild environment


The sun was spitting fire, the sky was blue as ice
Describing a dramatic and unusual natural setting


I felt a little tired, so I watched Miami Vice
Humorous contrast between contemporary television and ancient setting


And walked the dinosaur, I walked the dinosaur
Repetition of chorus, suggesting a simple and fun activity


Open the door, get on the floor
Direction to participate in an activity


Everybody walk the dinosaur
Encouragement to follow a simple and fun activity


I met you in a cave, you were painting buffalo
Continuing story with a romantic and artistic detail


I said I'd be your slave, follow wherever you go
Expressing loyalty and devotion to a loved one


That night we split a rattlesnake and danced beneath the stars
Evoking a romantic and wild moment in a desolate place


You fell asleep, I stayed awake and watched the passing cars
Suggesting a contrast between the natural and human-made worlds


And walked the dinosaur, I walked the dinosaur
Repetition of chorus, suggesting a simple and fun activity


One night I dreamed of New York
Introducing a surreal moment in the story


You and I roasting blue pork
Suggesting a playful and absurd image


In the Statue of Liberty's torch
Placing the action in a well-known landmark


Elvis landed in a rocket ship
Adding a surprising and humorous detail


Healed a couple of leapers and disappeared
Adding a surreal and fantastical element


But where was his beard?
Adding a humorous detail and suggesting absurdity


A shadow from the sky much too big to be a bird
Describing a mysterious and ominous phenomenon


A screaming crashing noise louder than I've ever heard
Adding intensity and urgency to the situation


It looked like two big silver trees that somehow learned to soar
Suggesting a unique and inexplicable form of flying object


Suddenly a summer breeze and a mighty lion's roar
Adding a surprising and spectacular effect to the scene


I killed the dinosaur, I killed the dinosaur
Reversal of the previous chorus, suggesting a moment of triumph or success


Open the door, get on the floor
Direction to participate in an activity


Everybody kill the dinosaur
Encouragement to follow a simple and fun activity


Repeat chorus 2 one time
Direction to repeat the previous chorus


Boom boom acka-lacka lacka boom
A sound-effect indicating something explosive or exciting is happening


Boom boom acka-lacka boom boom
Reiteration of previous line




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: David Jay Weiss, Donald E. Fagenson, Randall Keith Jacobs

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@Joxn041690

This song will always hold a special sentimental place in my heart.
When I was younger, I can’t remember how young, I remember that my father would come home from business trips and he would be so exhausted.
He would plop right down in his lazy boy and start falling asleep immediately.
I begged him to dance with me and even though he was dead tired he would smile and get up with me to dance.
That was years ago.
He is sadly passed now but there are little things that remind me of him all the time.
The other day I heard a knock at the door
It was the same funny little knock he would always do.
I immediately started to tear up but knowing I had to answer it I composed myself.
I opened the door
Get on the floor
Everybody walk the dinosaur



@davidcolby167

Actually, it's about nuclear war.

"A shadow from the sky much too big to be a bird
A screaming crashing noise louder than I've ever heard
It looked like two big silver trees that somehow learned to soar
Suddenly a summer breeze and a mighty lion's roar
I killed the dinosaur, I killed the dinosaur

Open the door, get on the floor
Everybody kill the dinosaur"

Shadow from the sky = missile
Screaming crashing noise = detonation
Two big silver trees = mushroom clouds
summer breeze = firestorms

Everybody killed the dinosaur - in this case, we killed ourselves.



All comments from YouTube:

@mikecassell8953

For those of you too young to remember, this song was EVERYWHERE in the very early 90s. It was played at roller rinks, in movies, in tv commercials, in malls, and apparently at clubs. In fact, if you’re old enough to remember this song but you DON’T remember it, you’re from a parallel universe.

@AndrewARitz

When I was a kid we went to an outback steakhouse (cuz that was new and exciting in the 90S) and they were just pumping this song over and over, outside, while we waited for our table.

@2bunphettered788

😄👍🏾

@cnjetixnicktoonsenjoyer2002

Well, I first heard it in a Dinosaur (2000) DVD/VHS spot that was a preview from a VHS movie that I watched called Toy Story 2, does that count?

@maitreyas.4902

I remember it well ! There is a thin line between stupid and clever.

@FlyRick78

It was the late 80s.

@spiraldown2710

“What’s a fun song I haven’t heard in ages” I said to my self… Nailed it.

@luluciferia1948

Best comment

@someguy779

Dude. Same.

@IlikeMichaelMyers

That’s what she said

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