Runnin' for the dance hall, lightnin' speed
Lookin' for my baby, wonder was she dead?
Run on the stage, started to do my dance
Wait a minute, baby, won't you give me a chance?

Jumped on the stage and started jumpin' around
Couple more lessons and I'll have it down
Get back, baby and wait for your turn
This dance take a lotta time to learn

Left foot out and the right one behind
Couple more lessons and you'll have it on time
Dance all night and dance all day
Strict little girl wouldn't let me get away

Run out the dance hall, I was goin' around the world
Tried to get away from that dancin' girl
Holler, Bo Diddley, wait for me
I was so tired, I couldn't see


Lyrics submitted by Ocean Soul

Dancing Girl Lyrics as written by Ellas Mcdaniel

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

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Bo Diddley song meanings
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5 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    Wow, well done, Ocean Soul. Bo Diddley was Ellas McDaniel's stage name.

    Great song. One of the most important rhythms in Rock n' Roll history. That rhythm was stolen and used for "Born to Hand Jive" from Grease, The Who's "Magic Bus," Buddy Holly's "Not Fade Away," Springsteen's "She's the One," U2's Desire, and even KT Tunstall's 2005 hit "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree." Diddley always wanted (and tried) to reap royalties from it, but never did.

    slugkidon June 04, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Written by Ellas McDaniel in 1955

    Ocean Soulon February 01, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    One of the first rock and roll songs, and it's got an infectious beat even today.

    Thunderbolton September 20, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    love ittttt.

    stillcountsdistanceon January 19, 2008   Link
  • 0
    Song Fact

    Slugkid: one of the first (if not the first) Bo Diddley’s “hambone” rhythm’s plagiarizations was “Willie and the Hand Jive” by Johnny Otis-that’s the inspiration behind the Grease tune you mentioned.

    Also, the last verse here is wrong and it really goes like this: My pretty baby said she’s a bird.

    Masuon July 28, 2018   Link

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