Dance Apocalyptic Lyrics

[Verse 2]
You gotta laugh at the zombie in the front yard
Take a bath, but nothing gets the funk off
You're on TV, rockin' and a-rollin'
'Cause the dead just love to rock and roll
(The dead just love to rock and roll)
Sick and tired of food tasting plastic
You wanna cry, but they grew up without a real kitchen
Asking why the pain is always equal
But the joy just never spreads around (Uh-uh, uh-uh)

[Chorus]
But I really, really want to thank you for dancing 'til the end
You found a way to break out (You found a way to break out)
You're not afraid to break out (You're not afraid to break out)
But I need to know if the world says it's time to go
(Dance apocalyptic) Tell me, will you break out?
(Bands, they make her dance apocalyptic now)
Smash, smash, bang, bang
(Bands, they make her dance apocalyptic)
Don't stop, sha-lang-a-lang-a-lang
Hey baby
But I need to know if the world says it's time to go
(Dance apocalyptic) Tell me, will you break out?
(Bands, they make her dance apocalyptic now)
Smash, smash, bang, bang
(Bands, they make her dance apocalyptic)
Don't stop, sha-lang-a-lang-a-lang
(Bands, they make her dance apocalyptic now)
Smash, smash, bang, bang (I love you)
(Bands, they make her dance apocalyptic)
Don't stop, sha-lang-a-lang-a-lang
[Verse 3]
You're going crazy, the hitmen always find you
Do that dance, smoking in the girls' room
Kissing friends, keep a-rockin' and a-rollin'
'Cause the dead just love to rock and roll
(The dead just love to rock and roll)
So freaked out, worried 'bout the bomb threat
Bought a house, but I'm allergic to the house pets
Credit card, you're working nine-to-five
Just to make enough to pay your rent

[Chorus]
But I really, really want to thank you for dancing 'til the end
You found a way to break out
You're not afraid to break out
But I need to know if the world says it's time to go
(Dance apocalyptic) Tell me, will you break out?
Smash, smash, bang, bang
(Bands, they make her dance apocalyptic now)
Don't stop, sha-lang-a-lang-a-lang
(Bands, they make her dance apocalyptic)
Oh, baby, baby
I need to know if the world says it's time to go
Tell me, will you break out?

(Bands, they make her dance apocalyptic now)
Smash, smash, bang, bang
(Bands, they make her dance apocalyptic)
Don't stop, sha-lang-a-lang-a-lang
(Bands, they make her dance apocalyptic now)
Smash, smash, bang, bang
(Bands, they make her dance apocalyptic)
Don't stop, sha-lang-a-lang-a-lang
[Spoken Outro]
(Bands, they make her dance) I've been...
Look at you
You look just like a little old earthquake

(Dance apocalyptic) Break it, break it
(Dance apocalyptic) You got to break it
Ain't no order in this courtroom
(Smash, smash, bang, bang)
You all going to jail
(Don't stop, sha-lang-a-lang-a-lang)

[Spoken: Android Voice]
What's the matter? Your chicken taste like pork?
You have triplets instead of twins?
Is your food taste plastic?

Grandaddy, I think I wanna dance

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About

Genius Annotation

“Dance Apocalyptic” is the second single from Janelle Monae’s sophomore album The Electric Lady. The throwback tune with its “the world is ending, so we might as well dance” theme is reminiscent of Prince’s “1999.”

The Wendy Morgan-directed music video for the song premiered in July 2013, but there’s more to the story than made the screen. Chuck Lightning wrote a full treatment for the music video that helps explain the multiple characters Janelle plays in the video, and why there are bird cages on some peoples' heads in it!

Although difficult to find, there are “Dance Apocalyptic” remixes by Olubenga and Chocolate Puma.

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

What did Janelle Monáe say about "Dance Apocalyptic"?
Genius Answer

When asked about the inspiration for the different tone of the song from the rest of her album, Monáe stated:

I was inspired by Bo Diddley, who inspired the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Elvis (Presley). This was the leader, the pioneer of R&B. ‘Dance Apocalyptic’ was very much a response to being inspired by him."

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