Play that funky music

Question

Could I ask several questions?There is a song called " Play that funky music" by Wild Cherry.Part of its lyrics are as follows: Once I was a boogie singer playin' in a Rock and Roll BandI never had no problems, yeahBurnin' down the one night standsAnd everything around me, yeahGot to stop to feelin' so lowQuestion 1: Does " I never had no problems" mean that " I never had any problems" or" I had problems"?Question 2: What does " Burnin' down the one night stands" mean? Question 3: Is it "everything around me, yeahGot to stop to feelin' so low"or is it"everything around me, yeahGot to start to feelin' so low"?Question 4: What does " feelin' so low" mean?

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

Question 1: I never had any problems.

Question 2: Doing successful single performances in many places.

Question 3: Some of the transcriptions of the lyrics I found on the 'net are indeed 'got to start', which I think makes more sense (insofar as music lyrics ever make sense).

Question 4: Feeling very depressed

Bob Collins · Answer

Oh boy! Let me suggest that rock music from the 1980s is not necessarily the best place to learn proper (or even common) English! The lyrics of most of these songs are intended to be poetic and a bit convoluted.

However, since you asked:

1) the use of a double negative is improper. In business or formal writing this sentence would mean I had problems, since you "never" had "no problems." But in the song lyrics, the writer is trying to emphasize that he didn't have any problems during that time. He uses the colloquial to speak to the poorly educated ears of many of his listeners.

2) "One night stands" most often refers to one time sexual encounters. However, this lyric probably has a dual meaning (called a double entendre). The implied meaning would be sexual encounters and one-night musical shows in which the band performed. This is likely because it was common, especially in that era, for a rock band to perform one time per venue, then retire to their hotel with girls who were enchanted by the band's performers to have sexual relations with them.

3) As the commentor above said, the correct lyrics are "start."

4) "Feeling low" is an obsolete slang phrase which indicates the mood of the speaker. "Low" being the direction of the speaker's disposition. For example, if you are in a good mood, you might say your state of mind is on the upswing, or growing happier. "Feeling low," then indicates their disposition of temper is on the downswing, or becoming gloomier.

Let me know if this helps ... or if you have more questions.

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you for the information you offered! It helps a lot.

But could I ask two more questions, please?

1. Does the "performance" in "Doing successful single performances" imply anything special

or it just mean "ordinary performance"?

2. What exactly does "burn down" here mean? Do we use it in daily conversation?

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you so much. The information you offered helps a lot.

But, could I ask one more question, please?

"a double entendre"

What does "entendre" mean? I just can't find this word in my dictionary.

Mister Micawber · Answer

You're using the wrong dictionary. Try this one: [url=http://www.onelook.com/?w=double+entendre&ls=a] DOUBLE ENTENDRE[/url]

Bob Collins · Answer

You asked:
"Thank you for the information you offered! It helps a lot.
But could I ask two more questions, please?

1. Does the "performance" in "Doing successful single performances" imply anything special

or it just mean "ordinary performance"?

2. What exactly does "burn down" here mean? Do we use it in daily conversation?"

1. The performance referred to is a) the band's musical performance, b) the band members' sexual performance, or c) both.
2. to "burn down" something means to really, really do it well. When the band burns down the one night stands, they don't just please the audience, they knock them out cold! (work that one out!)

Then you asked:
"a double entendre"

What does "entendre" mean? I just can't find this word in my dictionary.

The Websters Dictionary says, " n. Double meaning of a word or expression."
My personal understanding of this French common phrase is to have two intended meanings. Usually the phrase in question has one obvious meaning and one much more subtle, often more raunchy, meaning. It is usually used as a pun or an inside joke.

Now, did I help or just raise more questions?

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you so much for your answers and for being so patient.

Thanks a lot.

Play that funky music

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