Song Name: Mr. B's Ballroom
Artist: DEVO
Appears On:
- ◦ Freedom of Choice (and reissues)
- ◦ Pioneers Who Got Scalped
Run Time: 2:45
Year Released: 1980
Years Performed: [1] 2009 (Freedom of Choice shows only)
Writing Credits: Mark Mothersbaugh
Sung By:
- Mark Mothersbaugh (lead)
- Additional Vocalist (police vox)
Demo Versions: Luv & Such
Trivia / Info:[]
- ◦ Originally written as Luv & Such. Different lyrics but for "Whoa" verse. Bob Casale speaks some of the lyrics in both songs.
- ◦ Mr. B's Ballroom was a real place out here in L.A. and it was spooky says Jerry, Lets just say it was an alternative lifestyle club. You know, seedy and nasty... [2]
Onstage Behavior:
- ◦ Bob2 points to the crowd and says, "Freeze! You ain't goin' nowhere", as the lights go out and a spotlight shines on him. Devo tap a leg to the rhythm during this song.
- Three cheers!
- They're yellin' again
- Three cheers!
- They'll be at it to the end
- So drink some big beers and go crazy tonight
- They're all dressed up and they'll be gettin' it tonight
- Big swingers in double knits tonight
- Big babies gonna get in a fight
- Actin' crazy bustin' up the chairs
- Doubled over gettin' sick on the stairs
- They know the limits 'cause they cross them every night
- The dull sensations as it turns real hot white,
- The guys in the back with their heads on the floor
- Surrounded by their buddies they're all hollerin' for more
- Whoah whoah whoah, whoa-oh-oh,
- Whoah whoah whoah, whoa-oh—oh!
- Whoah whoah whoah, whoa-oh-oh,
- Whoah whoah whoah whoah-
- It's Mr. B's ballroom
- Party time, turn the music up loud
- Party time, lose your head in the crowd
- Yellin' laughin' tryin' hard to act smart
- But put 'em under pressure and you watch them fall apart
- [ Freeze! come on out of there ]
- [ Freeze! you ain't goin' nowhere ]
- [ Freeze! put your hands on your head ]
- [ Freeze! ]
- It’s Mr. B’s ballroom
- Whoah whoah whoah, whoa-oh-oh,
- Whoah whoah whoah, whoa-oh—oh!
- Whoah whoah whoah, whoa-oh-oh,
- Whoah whoah whoah whoah-
- It's Mr. B's ballroom
- Whoah whoah whoah, whoa-oh-oh,
- Whoah whoah whoah, whoa-oh—oh!
- Whoah whoah whoah, whoa-oh-oh,
- Whoah whoah whoah whoah-
- It's Mr. B's ballroom
Additional Info:
- ◦ "Ballroom" may allude to the slang term, to "ball", which means to have sex, as in "Good golly, Miss Molly sure like to ball."
References:
Links:
- Mr. B's Ballroom (recording) MusicBrainz
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