Introduction
“Everybody Was Kung Fu Fighting” is a song by Carl Douglas, released in 1974. The song has been used in many movies, TV shows, and commercials over the years, and it’s still a popular song today. The lyrics are catchy and easy to sing along to, making it a great song for parties and karaoke nights. In this article, we will take a closer look at the lyrics to “Everybody Was Kung Fu Fighting.”
Verse 1
Oh-oh-oh-oh
Everybody was Kung Fu fighting
Those kicks were fast as lightning
In fact, it was a little bit frightening
But they fought with expert timing
The first verse of the song sets the tone for the rest of the song. The lyrics describe a scene where everyone is fighting with Kung Fu moves, and it’s a little bit scary. The kicks are described as fast as lightning, indicating that these fighters are highly skilled. The expert timing of the fighters adds to the tension in the scene.
Chorus
It was a funky China man from funky Chinatown
They were chopping them up and they were chopping them down
It’s an ancient Chinese art and everybody knew their part
From a faint into a slip, and a kickin’ from the hip
The chorus of the song describes the fighters as being from Chinatown and practicing an ancient Chinese art. The lyrics suggest that everyone knows their part in the fight, and they are skilled at fainting and slipping away from their opponent’s attacks. The phrase “kickin’ from the hip” is a reference to the style of Kung Fu where kicks are delivered from the hip.
Verse 2
There was funky Billy Chin and little Sammy Chung
He said, here comes the big boss, let’s get it on
We took the bow and made a stand, started swaying with the hand
A sudden motion made me skip, now we’re into a brand new trip
The second verse of the song introduces two of the fighters by name, funky Billy Chin and little Sammy Chung. The lyrics suggest that they are ready to fight the big boss and that they are skilled at using their hands to sway and dodge their opponent’s attacks. The phrase “a brand new trip” suggests that the fight has taken a new turn.
Chorus
It was a funky China man from funky Chinatown
They were chopping them up and they were chopping them down
It’s an ancient Chinese art and everybody knew their part
From a faint into a slip, and a kickin’ from the hip
The chorus repeats the same lyrics as before, describing the fighters from Chinatown and their Kung Fu skills.
Bridge
Ohhhhhhhhhhhh
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-ohhhhhhhhh
Keep on, keep on, keep on, keep on
Everybody was Kung Fu fighting
The bridge of the song features a repeated chant of “Ohhhhhhhhhhhh” and “Keep on, keep on, keep on, keep on.” The lyrics suggest that everyone is still fighting and that the Kung Fu moves are still being executed.
Chorus
It was a funky China man from funky Chinatown
They were chopping them up and they were chopping them down
It’s an ancient Chinese art and everybody knew their part
From a faint into a slip, and a kickin’ from the hip
The chorus repeats once again, emphasizing the importance of the fighters’ Kung Fu skills and their role in the fight.
Conclusion
“Everybody Was Kung Fu Fighting” is a classic song that has stood the test of time. The catchy lyrics and upbeat tempo make it a favorite at parties and karaoke nights. The song’s references to Kung Fu and Chinatown add to its appeal and give it a unique flavor. Whether you’re a fan of Kung Fu movies or just enjoy a good beat, “Everybody Was Kung Fu Fighting” is sure to get you dancing.
