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.
C'mon now the party's just begun,
You can't afford to not just have some fun,
So loosen up and act like you're in love,
Kids don't be late-it's a goddamn dance craze.
Don't talk-just listen to each word I say,
It's time to send your cares away on vacation,
Don't watch your TV eyes burst into flames,
Get up and join the brand new daze sweeping the nation.
Who cares if it's only us darlin', If we just dream it up,
Then maybe it can all come true tonight.
Don't try to tell me I'm a naive clown,
I thought rock & roll was all about contagious dreamin',
I feel like the Beatles rollin' into town,
So hungry that I'm still not phased that you're not screamin',
Who cares if it's all been done, darlin',
Tonight just feelin' dumb's good enough if there's fever in your eyes.
Don't' tell me this shoe don't fit yet,
Don't tell me you're tired and off to bed,
Don't tell me there's nothin' left to try.
'cause when there's nothing left to try it comes out right.
Don't stop this feelin'-something's wrong,
Don't stop this fever burnin',
Don't' stop believin' on the way home,
And we'll keep on dancin'
You can't afford to not just have some fun,
So loosen up and act like you're in love,
Kids don't be late-it's a goddamn dance craze.
Don't talk-just listen to each word I say,
It's time to send your cares away on vacation,
Don't watch your TV eyes burst into flames,
Get up and join the brand new daze sweeping the nation.
Who cares if it's only us darlin', If we just dream it up,
Then maybe it can all come true tonight.
Don't try to tell me I'm a naive clown,
I thought rock & roll was all about contagious dreamin',
I feel like the Beatles rollin' into town,
So hungry that I'm still not phased that you're not screamin',
Who cares if it's all been done, darlin',
Tonight just feelin' dumb's good enough if there's fever in your eyes.
Don't' tell me this shoe don't fit yet,
Don't tell me you're tired and off to bed,
Don't tell me there's nothin' left to try.
'cause when there's nothing left to try it comes out right.
Don't stop this feelin'-something's wrong,
Don't stop this fever burnin',
Don't' stop believin' on the way home,
And we'll keep on dancin'
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Goddamn Dance Craze Lyrics as written by Nichelos Colby Eric Melin
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.