Firstly, let me begin by saying that I'm writing this to spread the word about my possibly unhealthy obsession with this song. I drove back to school and blasted this song about 20 times, testing how well I knew the lyrics each time. I don't know the true reason behind it all. Maybe it's the catchy beat, the slightly risqué yet charming lyrics, or the overall attitude of the song. Whatever it may be, I'm stuck in a rut that I don't want to get out of. Of course, I know I'll eventually have to move on, and I believe writing this is my first step.
Here is my analysis/explanation of the classic song: "The Humpty Dance" by Digital Underground
(Lyrics from the website A-Z lyrics)
Excerpts from "The Humpty Dance"
[Verse 1: Humpty Hump (Shock G)]
All right!
Stop whatcha doin'
'cause I'm about to ruin
the image and the style that ya used to. This is Humpty's way of saying he's unlike anything you've ever seen, as the rap world has blossomed at this point and has multitudes of styles within the world.
I look funny,
but yo I'm makin' money, see
so yo world I hope you're ready for me. Jumping from his first point, he's giving listeners a word of warning before he continues with the song. He's considerate in this sense, as he understands that the world listening may not be aware or even prepared for his style.
Now gather round
I'm the new fool in town
and my sound's laid down by the Underground.
I drink up all the Hennessey ya got on ya shelf
so just let me introduce myself A third tease of an introduction, he has found the ease of the song and his listening audience.
My name is Humpty, pronounced with a Umpty.
Yo ladies, oh how I like to hump thee.
And all the rappers in the top ten-please allow me to bump thee. Just some basic facts he's giving to you about both of his name and what he likes to do
I'm steppin' tall, y'all,
and just like Humpty Dumpty
you're gonna fall when the stereos pump me. He relates himself to his namesake, the famous fairy tale egg who met a terrible fate.
I like to rhyme,
I like my beats funky,
I'm spunky. I like my oatmeal lumpy. Some more basic facts
I'm sick wit dis, straight gangsta mack
but sometimes I get ridiculous
I'll eat up all your crackers and your licorice This is where his tone begins to shift, as he admits that he sometimes is not so serious
hey yo fat girl, c'mere-are ya ticklish?
Yeah, I called ya fat.
Look at me, I'm skinny
It never stopped me from gettin' busy He's self-aware and uses terms that some would consider demeaning and offensive, but clearly Humpty does not
"People say "Yo, Humpty, you're really funny lookin'"
that's all right 'cause I get things cookin'
Ya stare, ya glare, ya constantly try to compare me
but ya can't get near me"
He's aware he's not conventionally attractive, but wants to inform you, if you were worried for his self-esteem, that he doesn't care
I get stoopid, I shoot an arrow like Cupid,
I use a word that don't mean nothin', like looptid
He's trying to say that, as he previously mentioned his occasional tendency to be ridiculous,
[Chorus]
[Breakdown:]
Oh, yeah, that's the break, y'all
Let me hear a little bit of that bass groove right here
Oh, yeah!
Now that I told ya a little bit about myself
let me tell ya a little bit about this dance
It's real easy to do--check it out
Rather simplistic, but he is readying you for what the dance consists of.
[Verse 3:]
First I limp to the side like my leg was broken
Shakin' and twitchin' kinda like I was smokin'
Crazy wack funky
People say ya look like M.C. Hammer on crack, Humpty
A quick start to it all, with spectacular use of simile, he explains that it requires a certain lack of elegance. He relates himself to the elegance of M.C. Hammer, whose "U Can't Touch This" featured much more complexity in the dance
That's all right 'cause my body's in motion
It's supposed to look like a fit or a convulsion
Anyone can play this game
This is my dance, y'all, Humpty Hump's my name
He is assuring the audience that he is still Humpty, after relating the dance, ever aware of its simplicity, people should find it to be a bodily malfunction as opposed to a true dance
No two people will do it the same
Ya got it down when ya appear to be in pain
A quick conclusion to the dance
[Chorus]
Black people, do the Humpty Hump, do the Humpty Hump
White people, do the Humpty Hump, do the Humpty Hump
Puerto Ricans, do the Humpty Hump, just keep on doin' the hump
Samoans, do the Humpty Hump, do the Humpty Hump
Ever the inclusive man, he wants to get the whole world doing his dance, to spread its joy and happiness
For the full song (I don't condone some of the actions mentioned in the song), continue and click on the video
