Bawitdaba by Kid Rock Lyrics Meaning – Deciphering the Anthemic Rally Cry of the Underdog

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for Kid Rock's Bawitdaba at Lyrics.org.

Lyrics

Bawitdaba, da bang, da dang diggy diggy, diggy, said the boogie, said up jump the boogie

My name is kid
Kid rock!

Bawitdaba da bang da bang diggy diggy diggy
Shake the boogie said up jump the boogie
Bawitdaba da bang da bang diggy diggy diggy
Shake the boogie said up jump the boogie

Bawitdaba da bang da bang diggy diggy diggy
Shake the boogie said up jump the boogie
Bawitdaba da bang da bang diggy diggy diggy
Shake the boogie said up jump the boogie

And this is for the questions that don’t have an answer
The midnight glances
And the topless dancers
The can of freaks

Cars packed with speakers
The g’s with the forty’s
And the chicks with beepers
The northern lights

And the southern comfort
And it don’t even matter if your veins are punctured
All the crackheads, the critics, the cities
And all my heroes at the methodone clinics

All you bastards at the i.r.s.
For the crooked cops and the cluttered desks
For the shots of jack and the caps of meth
Half pints of love and a fifth of stress

All the hookers that are tricking out in hollywood
And for my hoods of the world misunderstood
I said it’s all good and it’s all in fun
Now get in the pit and try to love someone!

Bawitdaba da bang da bang diggy diggy diggy
Shake the boogie said up jump the boogie
Bawitdaba da bang da bang diggy diggy diggy
Shake the boogie said up jump the boogie

Bawitdaba da bang da bang diggy diggy diggy
Shake the boogie said up jump the boogie
Bawitdaba da bang da bang diggy diggy diggy
Shake the boogie said up jump the boogie

For the time bombs clicking and the heads they hang
All the gangs gettin’ money and the heads they bang, bang
Wild mustangs
The porno flicks

All my homies in the county in cell block six
The grits when there ain’t enough eggs to cook
And to d.b. cooper and the money he took
You can look for answers but that ain’t fun

Now get in the pit and try to love someone

Bawitdaba da bang da bang diggy diggy diggy
Shake the boogie said up jump the boogie
Bawitdaba da bang da bang diggy diggy diggy
Shake the boogie said up jump the boogie

When Kid Rock erupted onto the scene with his 1998 anthem ‘Bawitdaba,’ audiences were hit with a whirlwind blend of rock, rap, and rebellion. The track, characterized by its infectious, almost nonsensical chorus and driving guitars, became a signature song for the Detroit musician, synonymous with his bad-boy image and unapologetic embrace of the American underbelly.

But to merely chalk up ‘Bawitdaba’ as a raucous party song would be to overlook the intricate tapestry of social commentary that Kid Rock weaves through his lyrics. Here lies an exploration of that complexity—a delve into the heart of America’s societal fringe, and a celebration of the misfits and outcasts that often go unacknowledged.

The Anthemic Chorus: An Invocation for Unity Amidst Chaos

‘Bawitdaba’ opens with a mantra-like chorus that defies linguistic expectation, creating a primal call that resonates with listeners. The nonsensical words serve as a rallying cry, beckoning those at the edges of society to come together. In repeating this cryptic chant, Kid Rock invokes a sense of camaraderie, fashioning an anthem that has less to do with meaning and more to do with feeling—a collective release for the misunderstood.

The raw energy of the chorus cuts through class and socio-economic status, inviting everyone to partake in the revelry. It’s an anthem that doesn’t discriminate, speaking to the universality of wanting to belong, to be understood, and ultimately to be accepted.

A Voice for the Voiceless: The Verbal Mosaic of Marginalization

Kid Rock’s lyrics are a litany of American subcultures and marginal figures—from ‘the midnight glances’ and ‘topless dancers’ to ‘the crooked cops’ and ‘the hookers…in Hollywood.’ The song’s verses paint a gritty picture of the often invisible or stigmatized members of society, recognizing their existence in a way that is seldom done in mainstream music.

By giving a shout-out to ‘all my heroes at the methodone clinics’ and ‘the G’s with the forties,’ Kid Rock is acknowledging the harsh realities faced by many, blending them into an audacious celebration of resilience and survival. It’s a tribute to living on the edge, but it’s also an empowering message that encapsulates the beauty and complexity of human life in the face of adversity.

The Hidden Meaning Behind the Madness: Cultural Reflection or Party Anthem?

While ‘Bawitdaba’ is often cranked up as a party tune, the repeated calls to ‘get in the pit and try to love someone’ suggest a deeper significance. This line could be interpreted as a challenge to embrace an active, transformative love—one that requires effort, like fighting through a mosh pit, and one that urges connection amidst the chaos.

The song’s bridge—with references to ‘time bombs ticking’ and ‘heads they bang, bang’—hints at underlying tensions and the potential for violence in neglected communities. Yet, the emphasis on love over conflict offers a remedy, implying that the energy spent on destructive behavior could be redirected towards mutual understanding and acceptance.

Unforgettable Lines: ‘The Grits When There Ain’t Enough Eggs to Cook’

Among the most memorable lines in ‘Bawitdaba’ is Kid Rock’s shout-out to domestic simplicity and struggles: ‘The grits when there ain’t enough eggs to cook.’ It is a metaphorical snapshot of making do with what one has—a celebration of resourcefulness in times of scarcity and a nod to the everyday reality of many Americans.

This line echoes the song’s broader theme of survival and perseverance. It’s a recognition of the unglamorous, yet deeply relatable, moments of choosing grits when eggs—a more universally desired breakfast staple—are not available. It rings out as a commentary on economic hardship, the small victories, and the ingenuity born out of necessity.

The Cultural Impact of ‘Bawitdaba’: Embracing America’s Rough Edges

Kid Rock’s ‘Bawitdaba’ has left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape, not only for its genre-melding sound but for its gritty lyricism that gives a voice to America’s less-polished aspects. The song’s raucous energy and rebellious spirit encapsulate an era while challenging listeners to see the humanity in those society often ignores.

Over two decades later, the track stands as a testament to the power of music to bring together the disenfranchised and the outcasts. Reminiscent of a modern-day ‘Alice’s Restaurant’ or a punk rock ‘We Are the World,’ ‘Bawitdaba’ continues to be a unifying battle cry for those on the fringes and a reminder that, sometimes, the most profound messages come in the least expected forms.