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.
Handclappin', handclappin'
gonna keep this party crackin'
Dub Narcotic Sound System has got your attention
and we're rockin on the handclappin' rhythm
They say people can't relate to our band
Three misfit children playin' instruments by hand
we're not tappin' out the beat on our laptops
save your ??????
We're a-thumpin' and a-strummin' and a-bangin'
at the club or in the basement
It's always a party when ?????
?????
Handclappin', handclappin'
just a-bumpin' and a-humpin' and a-slappin'
(Clap, clap) x16
Clap your hands x15
Handclappin', handclappin'
you're wondering "Calvin, how'd you get so attractive?"
All the girls, they wanna be me.
All the boys, they wanna do me.
I see you dancin' on by, giving me the monkey eye
don't think that you can fool me
handclappin', handclappin'
Everybody lookin' for some action
I hear you say you don't want no scrubs
but you haven't partied with the Dubs.
Girl, I know you want to get next to me
cruise forth in my Chevy Celebrity
?????
park bench for two, and there you are.
So you come around here looking for a kiss.
Bring a couple friends for Heather and Chris
and we'll do this town like it's never been done
Handclappin' like this.
(clap, clap) x16
Clap your hands x16
Handclappin', handclappin'
Do you recognize the rhymes I'm jackin'?
?????
I know you all can't be talkin' bout me.
My skills may be rusty, record collection dusty,
but ??? don't you front me.
Can't you see the crowd pit bumpin'?
Huh, ain't that something.
Still doin' things old school
We recruit our drummer from the ???
Can you sample me? Sure, you can trample me.
Don't worry, there will always be ample me.
So clap hands, claps hand
stomp beat, stomp beat
Stick out what you got in the front
Pump it out at the back ????
Put your hands together now
Put your hands together now
Put your hands together now
(Clap, clap) x16
Clap your hands x15
Dub Narcotics
has got you clappin' your hands
Everybody
should be clappin' your hands
Dub Narcotics
has got you clappin' your hands
Everybody
should be clappin' your hands
Clap, clap x8
(Clap your hands) x7
Clap, now! x8
(Clap your hands) x7
Handclappin', handclappin'
Party people say "Calvin, stop rappin'!
Your voice grates like fingernails on slate
Face it, brother, it just ain't happenin'"
Still the DJs want to cut me up
'cause this combo's known to move the rump
So what you're hearin' is not a test
I'm just rappin' to the beat.
It's just me, a groove, and my friends
??? wicked after-school activities
Handclappin', handclappin'
Handclappin', yeah
(Clap, clap) x16
Clap your hands x15
(??? rhymes I'm throwin
???? must be goin'
diggin' on down the narcotic side of town
?????
Dub Narcotic's got ???)
(Clap, clap) x16
Clap your hands x15
gonna keep this party crackin'
Dub Narcotic Sound System has got your attention
and we're rockin on the handclappin' rhythm
They say people can't relate to our band
Three misfit children playin' instruments by hand
we're not tappin' out the beat on our laptops
save your ??????
We're a-thumpin' and a-strummin' and a-bangin'
at the club or in the basement
It's always a party when ?????
?????
Handclappin', handclappin'
just a-bumpin' and a-humpin' and a-slappin'
(Clap, clap) x16
Clap your hands x15
Handclappin', handclappin'
you're wondering "Calvin, how'd you get so attractive?"
All the girls, they wanna be me.
All the boys, they wanna do me.
I see you dancin' on by, giving me the monkey eye
don't think that you can fool me
handclappin', handclappin'
Everybody lookin' for some action
I hear you say you don't want no scrubs
but you haven't partied with the Dubs.
Girl, I know you want to get next to me
cruise forth in my Chevy Celebrity
?????
park bench for two, and there you are.
So you come around here looking for a kiss.
Bring a couple friends for Heather and Chris
and we'll do this town like it's never been done
Handclappin' like this.
(clap, clap) x16
Clap your hands x16
Handclappin', handclappin'
Do you recognize the rhymes I'm jackin'?
?????
I know you all can't be talkin' bout me.
My skills may be rusty, record collection dusty,
but ??? don't you front me.
Can't you see the crowd pit bumpin'?
Huh, ain't that something.
Still doin' things old school
We recruit our drummer from the ???
Can you sample me? Sure, you can trample me.
Don't worry, there will always be ample me.
So clap hands, claps hand
stomp beat, stomp beat
Stick out what you got in the front
Pump it out at the back ????
Put your hands together now
Put your hands together now
Put your hands together now
(Clap, clap) x16
Clap your hands x15
Dub Narcotics
has got you clappin' your hands
Everybody
should be clappin' your hands
Dub Narcotics
has got you clappin' your hands
Everybody
should be clappin' your hands
Clap, clap x8
(Clap your hands) x7
Clap, now! x8
(Clap your hands) x7
Handclappin', handclappin'
Party people say "Calvin, stop rappin'!
Your voice grates like fingernails on slate
Face it, brother, it just ain't happenin'"
Still the DJs want to cut me up
'cause this combo's known to move the rump
So what you're hearin' is not a test
I'm just rappin' to the beat.
It's just me, a groove, and my friends
??? wicked after-school activities
Handclappin', handclappin'
Handclappin', yeah
(Clap, clap) x16
Clap your hands x15
(??? rhymes I'm throwin
???? must be goin'
diggin' on down the narcotic side of town
?????
Dub Narcotic's got ???)
(Clap, clap) x16
Clap your hands x15
Lyrics submitted by eyegouger
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