The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Ooh, yeah, yeah yeah
Say you gonna punky punky punk
New wave, new phrase
New wave, new craze
We're going to the party
And I hope you are hardy
So please don't be naughty
For it's a punky reggae party
New wave, new craze
New wave, new phrase
It takes a joyful sound
To make the world go 'round
Come with your heart and soul
Come 'a come and rock your boat
It's a punky reggae party
And it's tonight
It's a punky reggae party
And it's alright
What did you say?
Rejected by society (do re mi fa)
Treated with impunity (so la te do)
Protected by their dignity (do re mi fa)
I search reality (so la te do)
New wave, new craze
New wave, new wave new phrase
Now I'm saying the wailers be there
The Dammed, The Jam, The Clash
Maytals will be there
Doctor Feelgood too, ooh
No boring old farts
No boring old farts
No boring old farts
Will be there
Singing, no boring old farts
No boring old farts
No boring old farts
Will be there
Well, it's the punky reggae party
And it's tonight
It's a punky reggae party
And it's alright
Oh ah
A tip from a gypsy (do re mi fa)
She said man you got a tipsy (so la te do)
Hidin' from reality (do re mi fa)
In your world of hypocrisy (so la te do)
In your world of hypocrisy
In your world of hypocrisy
In your world of hypocrisy
In your world of hypocrisy
Look out
A bubble, a bubble
We ain't lookin' for no trouble yeah
So if you trouble trouble
We'll give it to you double
Let me tell you
It takes a joyful sound to make the world go 'round
It takes a joyful sound so come come rock your boat
'Cause it's the punky reggae party
And it's tonight
Well it's a punky reggae party
And it's alright
A tip from a gypsy (do re mi fa)
She said man you gettin' a tipsy (so la te do)
Hidin' from reality (do re mi fa)
In your world of hypocrisy (so la te do)
In your world of hypocrisy
Say hidin' from reality
In your world of hypocrisy
In your world of hypocrisy
A bubble, a bubble, a bubble, a bubble
A bubble, a bubble, a bubble, a bubble, a bubble with a bubble
We ain't lookin' for no trouble yeah
New wave
New craze
New wave, new craze (aah)
Say you gonna punky punky punk
New wave, new phrase
New wave, new craze
We're going to the party
And I hope you are hardy
So please don't be naughty
For it's a punky reggae party
New wave, new craze
New wave, new phrase
It takes a joyful sound
To make the world go 'round
Come with your heart and soul
Come 'a come and rock your boat
It's a punky reggae party
And it's tonight
It's a punky reggae party
And it's alright
What did you say?
Rejected by society (do re mi fa)
Treated with impunity (so la te do)
Protected by their dignity (do re mi fa)
I search reality (so la te do)
New wave, new craze
New wave, new wave new phrase
Now I'm saying the wailers be there
The Dammed, The Jam, The Clash
Maytals will be there
Doctor Feelgood too, ooh
No boring old farts
No boring old farts
No boring old farts
Will be there
Singing, no boring old farts
No boring old farts
No boring old farts
Will be there
Well, it's the punky reggae party
And it's tonight
It's a punky reggae party
And it's alright
Oh ah
A tip from a gypsy (do re mi fa)
She said man you got a tipsy (so la te do)
Hidin' from reality (do re mi fa)
In your world of hypocrisy (so la te do)
In your world of hypocrisy
In your world of hypocrisy
In your world of hypocrisy
In your world of hypocrisy
Look out
A bubble, a bubble
We ain't lookin' for no trouble yeah
So if you trouble trouble
We'll give it to you double
Let me tell you
It takes a joyful sound to make the world go 'round
It takes a joyful sound so come come rock your boat
'Cause it's the punky reggae party
And it's tonight
Well it's a punky reggae party
And it's alright
A tip from a gypsy (do re mi fa)
She said man you gettin' a tipsy (so la te do)
Hidin' from reality (do re mi fa)
In your world of hypocrisy (so la te do)
In your world of hypocrisy
Say hidin' from reality
In your world of hypocrisy
In your world of hypocrisy
A bubble, a bubble, a bubble, a bubble
A bubble, a bubble, a bubble, a bubble, a bubble with a bubble
We ain't lookin' for no trouble yeah
New wave
New craze
New wave, new craze (aah)
Lyrics submitted by Anarchitect
Punky Reggae Party Lyrics as written by Lee Perry Bob Marley
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Your wish is my command :)
Yeah, the song's about a party, but not just any old party. Marley is celebrating the solidarity between Jamaica's dub and reggae scene with the UK punk and new wave scene of the late 70s. They didn't have to be related by sound just to share a worldview, but sometimes they did anyway. Check out a group like The Slits, or The Clash's cover of Junior Murvin's "Police and Thieves".
Basically, he's saying that since we're all on the same page, why not dance the night away together?
"Rejected by society Mistreated with impunity Protected by my dignity I search for reality"
To me, any one of the punk outfits of the time could have said something like that. You don't have to be black to know (and be appalled) that anyone can be treated like niggers.