Talk is cheap, shut up and dance
Don’t get deep, shut up and dance
A love has got a-me down
A tear just hit a-the ground
So I started writing you this song
But the words I wrote came out all wrong
Yeah, but it’s all right
Talk is cheap, shut up and dance
Don’t get deep, shut up and dance
When you can’t define a-the crime
A-then life ain’t worth a dime
When they take away everything you got
And they rub your nose in the funky spot
Not without a fight
Talk is cheap, shut up and dance
Don’t get deep, shut up and dance
When you work your fingers to the bone
Now what does that get you? Nothing
In a crowd of people
You’re still alone
You hope that tells you something
The road to heaven is paved in hell
And it makes you wonder
Why we’re here at all
Check out the shape of your circumstance
He wears the dress and she wears the pants
Here comes Jill and she needs romance
But you can’t do jack so shut up and dance!
Sex is like a gun
You aim, you shoot, you run
When you’re splitting hairs with Mr. Clean
It’s like getting head from a guillotine
And the night has just begun
Talk is cheap, shut up and dance
Don’t get deep, shut up and dance
Talk is cheap, shut up and dance
Don’t get deep, shut up and dance
Talk is cheap, shut up and dance
Don’t get deep, shut up and dance
Finding Liberation in Simplicity
“Shut Up And Dance” by Aerosmith is a rock anthem that encourages listeners to toss aside overthinking and embrace the present moment. The lyrics cut through emotional turmoil and societal frustrations, urging us not to dwell on life’s complexities but to find freedom in action. The refrain, “Talk is cheap, shut up and dance,” is both a rebuke to excessive analysis and a call to let go, suggesting that sometimes the best response to life’s challenges is to keep moving, keep grooving, and not get bogged down by words or worries.
The Power of Directness
Throughout the song, Steven Tyler’s energetic delivery and witty lyrical style use humor and sharp imagery to highlight the absurdities of love, work, and social expectations. The track celebrates the idea that, despite setbacks or confusion, dancing—or simply acting—can be an act of rebellion and self-preservation. It’s a reminder that in a world full of noise, sometimes action speaks louder than words.
Song Credits
Artist: Aerosmith
Songwriters: Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Jack Blades, Tommy Shaw
Release Year: 1993
Label: Geffen Records