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.
CHORUS
Baby, I gotta ask you
Do you wanna dance
Because I'm in the mood
I've been watching, from across the room
The way you're moving
I could get into you
Tonight is the night I want to dance with you
My heart is beating faster than I want it to
Cause the music is right and the groove starts to move
Can I find a way to get down with you
Put your hand in mine
Let me look into your eyes
Let's not waste anytime, girl
'Cause this feeling's so strong and I can't deny
CHORUS
I look in your eyes and my world starts to shake
Intoxicating me with every move you make
Come and get down with your favorite tune
I feel the need to get with you soon
Oh you're looking so fine
And I'm liking the way that you move
Girl, you're making me high
And there's nothing I wouldn't do to you, oh
CHORUS
So what you wanna do
Do you wanna dance (Girl do you wanna dance)
So what you goin' do
Do you wanna get down (Now do you wanna get down)
So what you wanna do
Do you wanna dance (Girl do you wanna dance)
So what you goin' do
Do you wanna get down (I gotta know if you can)
(Get down on it) Girl I like the way you move
(Get down on it) Girl I gotta dance with you
(Get down on it) Girl I like the way you slide
(Get down on it) I gotta dance with you tonight
CHORUS
Baby, I gotta ask you
Do you wanna dance
Because I'm in the mood
I've been watching, from across the room
The way you're moving
I could get into you
Tonight is the night I want to dance with you
My heart is beating faster than I want it to
Cause the music is right and the groove starts to move
Can I find a way to get down with you
Put your hand in mine
Let me look into your eyes
Let's not waste anytime, girl
'Cause this feeling's so strong and I can't deny
CHORUS
I look in your eyes and my world starts to shake
Intoxicating me with every move you make
Come and get down with your favorite tune
I feel the need to get with you soon
Oh you're looking so fine
And I'm liking the way that you move
Girl, you're making me high
And there's nothing I wouldn't do to you, oh
CHORUS
So what you wanna do
Do you wanna dance (Girl do you wanna dance)
So what you goin' do
Do you wanna get down (Now do you wanna get down)
So what you wanna do
Do you wanna dance (Girl do you wanna dance)
So what you goin' do
Do you wanna get down (I gotta know if you can)
(Get down on it) Girl I like the way you move
(Get down on it) Girl I gotta dance with you
(Get down on it) Girl I like the way you slide
(Get down on it) I gotta dance with you tonight
CHORUS
Lyrics submitted by Heather1225
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Light Up The Sky
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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