“Bust A Move” is a hit single released on May 22, 1989, by American rapper, singer, and actor Young M.C.
The single was part of his debut album, Stone Cold Rhythm and is considered Young M.C’s most successful single.
Fun Facts:
- The credits for the song’s lyrics go to Marvin Young, Matt Dike, and Michael Ross.
- Marvin Young was born in South Wimbledon, London, UK, on May 10, 1967. His parents were immigrants from Jamaica.
- While studying economics at the University of Southern California, Young met Michael Ross and Matt Dike, two representatives of the Delicious Vinyl record company. He wrapped over the phone for the two and received a record contract in his dorm room.
- Stone Cold Rhythm was Young M.C.’s first album. It was released on September 5, 1989, with Delicious Vinyl label but was later re-released by Rhino Records.
- The hit single reached the #7 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped charts in Australia.
- It also reached eighth place on the US Billboard 200.
- “Bust A Move” samples Ballin Jack’s song, “Found A Child.”
- Other songs that were sampled include “Scorpio” by Dennis Coffey, “Daytime Hustler” by Bette Midler, and “Radio-Activity” by RoyalClash.
- In January 1990, the song was certified platinum in the US.
- “Bust A Move” is featured in a number of films, including Uncle Buck, Dude, Where’s My Car, The Blind Side, 17 Again, and Up in the Air.
- Young M.C. won a 1990 Grammy with the song for Best Rap Performance.
Lyrics
This here’s a jam for all the fellas
Tryin’ to do what those ladies tell us
Get shot down ’cause you’re overzealous
Play hard to get, females get jealous
Ok, smarty, go to a party
Girls are scantily clad and showin’ body
A chick walks by you wish you could sex her
But you’re standin‘ on the wall like you was Poindexter
Next day’s function, high class luncheon
Food is served and you’re stone cold munchin’
Music comes on, people start to dance
But then you ate so much you nearly split your pants
A girl starts walkin‘, guys start gawkin’
Sits down next to you and starts talkin’
Says she wanna dance ’cause she likes the groove
So come on, fatso, and just bust a move
Ah, ah, yeah
Ah, ah, ah, yeah
Ah, ah, yeah (just bust a move!)
Ah, ah, yeah, ah, ah
You’re on a mission and you’re wishin’
Someone could cure your lonely condition
Lookin’ for love in all the wrong places
No fine girls, just ugly faces
From frustration, first inclination
Is to become a monk and leave the situation
But every dark tunnel has a lighter hope
So don’t hang yourself with a celibate rope
New movie’s showin‘, so you’re goin’
Could care less about the five you’re blowin’
Theatre gets dark just to start the show
Then you spot a fine woman sittin‘ in your row
She’s dressed in yellow, she says “hello
Come sit next to me, you fine fellow!”
You run over there without a second to lose
And what comes next? Hey, bust a move!
If you want it, you got it
If you want it, baby, you got it, (just bust a move!)
If you want it, you got it
If you want it, baby, you got it
In the city, ladies look pretty
Guys tell jokes so they can seem witty
Tell a funny joke just to get some play
Then you try to make a move and she says, “no way”
Girls are fakin’, goodness sakin’
They want a man who brings home the bacon
Got no money and you got no car
Then you got no woman and there you are
Some girls are sophistic, materialistic
Looking for a man makes them opportunistic
They’re lyin‘ on the beach perpetratin‘ a tan
So that a brother with money can be their man
So on the beach you’re strollin’, real high-rollin’
Everything you have is yours and not stolen
A girl runs up with somethin‘ to prove
So don’t just stand there, bust a move!
If you want it, you got it
If you want it, baby, you got it (just bust a move)
If you want it, you got it
If you want it, baby, you got it (break it down for me fellas)
Ah, ah
Ah, ah
Ah, ah
Ah, ah
Ah, ah, hey, yeah
Ooh, uh, hey, yeah!
Ooh, uh, hey, yeah!
Ooh, uh, uh, uh
Your best friend Harry has a brother Larry
In five days from now he’s gonna marry
He’s hopin‘ you can make it there if you can
‘Cause in the ceremony you’ll be the best man
You say neato, check your libido
And roll to the church in your new tuxedo
The bride walks down just to start the wedding
And there’s one more girl you won’t be getting
So you start thinkin‘, then you start blinkin‘
A bride maid looks and thinks that you’re winkin’
She thinks you’re kinda cute so she winks back
And now you’re feelin really fine ’cause the girl is stacked
Reception’s jumpin’, bass is pumpin’
Look at the girl and your heart starts thumpin‘
Says she wants to dance to a different groove
Now you know what to do, G, bust a move!
If you want it, you got it, ah
If you want it, baby, you got it (just bust a move), ah
If you want it, you got it, ah
If you want it, baby, you got it (move it, boy)
Aah, aah, aah, aah
Ah, ah, yeah, ah
Aah, hey, aah, yeah!
Aah, aah, heyy, yeah, yeah!
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