"Don't Take No Jive" Phrase In African American Girls' Hand Clap Rhymes & Cheers (Part II)

Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest Revision - including title change Feb. 24, 2025

This is Part II of a two part pancocojams series on the phrase "don't take no jive".

This pancocojams post also presents all of the examples of African American girls* foot stomping cheers and hand clap rhymes that I have collected as of this date that include the phrase "don't take no jive".

*This racial/national referent means that these cheers and rhymes probably originated with and definitely were mostly performed by African American girls. 

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2021/03/what-does-dont-take-no-jive-means-in.html for Part I of this pancocojams post. Part I provides definitions of the word "jive" and "jive talk". An example of a children's cheer with the phrase "don't take no jive" is included in that post along with an example of a university (American) football chant that also includes that phrase.

The content of this post is presented for historical, cultural, linguistic, and recreational  purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
-snip-
This post presents definitions for the noun "jive" as it refers to talking.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/09/foot-stomping-cheers-alphabetical-list_22.html for an alphabetical listing of foot stomping cheers beginning with the letters (P-Z). The links for four other pages of foot stomping cheer examples are given on that page.

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PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE ABOUT THESE EXAMPLES
Most of the examples on this page are versions of the once apparently widely known family of "Hollywood" ("Hollywood Swinging") foot stomping cheers/hand clap rhymes.

"Hollywood Swinging" is a foot stomping cheer that eventually became a two partner hand clap rhyme. I believe that the foot stomping cheer versions came first because
1. the oldest example of this composition that I've found to date is a cheer version

and

2. the words of some of the hand clap rhyme examples are given as a dialogue while and -sometimes are performed that way, while almost all handclap rhymes are chanted in unison. In foot stomping cheers, each girl takes a turn being the soloist (The "Hollywood rock swinging" line is chanted by the group except for the soloist.)

It's important to note that every "Hollywood Swinging" cheer/hand clap rhyme doesn't (didn't) include the "don't take no jive" phrase. For example, the earliest version of that cheer that I've found (from Old Mother Hippletoe Record, 1976, Washington, D.C.) doesn't include the words "don't take no jive".

That example is given as #1 in https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/05/examples-of-hollywood-goes-swingin.html Examples Of "Hollywood Goes Swingin" Foot Stomping Cheers & Hand Clap Rhymes (1976 - the early 2000s).

In addition, five examples of Hollywood Swinging hand clap rhymes are posted in my cocojams2 blog https://cocojams2.blogspot.com/2014/10/g-h-hand-clap-jump-rope-rhymes-examples.html  I've shared one of those examples in the comment section of this post.

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EXAMPLES OF CHILDREN'S FOOT STOMPING CHEERS THAT INCLUDE THE PHRASE 'DON'T TAKE NO JIVE"

These examples are given in no particular order and are numbered for referencing purposes only.

The phrase "don't take no jive" is given in italics for highlighting purposes only. 

1. 
Hollywood rock swinging. 
Hollywood rock swinging. 
My name is Aniesha 
I'm number one 
My reputation is having fun 
So if you see my just step aside 
'Cause mighty Aniesha don't take no jive.

Hollywood rock swinging.
Hollywood rock swinging.
My name is katrina
I'm number two
My reputation is me and you
So if you see me just step on back
'Cause mighty Katrina don't take no slack.

Hollywood rock swinging.
Hollywood rock swinging.
My name is Natasha
I'm number twelve
My reputation is ringing that bell
So if you see my just step aside
'Cause mighty Aniesha don't take no jive
-Apples On A Stick: The Folklore Of Black Children by Barbara Michels and Bettye White (1983; p. 14)
-snip-
The preface of this book indicates that these examples came from Black children who lived in Houston, Texas.

The saying "take no slack" is usually given as "cut no slack". "Cut no slack" means allowing people to get away with something that is usually not allowed. 

****
2.

Group: Angels go swinging
angels go swinging!
angels go swinging,
Angels go Swinging!

Solo: My name is Katy
I'm number 1
my reputation has just begun
so if you see me just step aside
'cause me and my man
don't take no jive

Group: Uh, you thank (think) you bad
Solo: Bad enough to make you mad
Group, Uh, you thank you cool
Solo: Cool enough to go to high school
Group: Uh, you thank you fine 
Solo: Fine enough to MO, 
fine enough to Macho (not really sure what this line means or if we were even saying it right) *
fine enough to hula hoop,
fine enough to kick yo' duke

Everyone: say what, say what
say what say what say what
-Joi;( Birmingham, Alabama; 1990s), cocojams.com
-snip
This example was sent to my no longer active cocojams.com website and is a form of the large family of cheers known as "Hollywood Swingin".

The contributor shared that "Angels" is the name of their sports teams at this predominately African American Catholic school.

Here are my notes about some of the words in this example:

The word "thank" in the words "thank you fine" is probably a typo. It's also possible that "thank" is a purposefully spelled (present tense) intensifier of the word "think" which means “Really think”.

 **
I'm not sure what "Mo" means.

**
According to https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/macho, "macho" means "Masculine in an overly assertive or aggressive way."
-end of quote-
That Spanish word may be most widely known in the USA by the referent "macho man". In the context of this foot stomping cheer, fine enough to "macho" may mean "physically attractive (or sexy) enough to attract macho men.

****
3.

my name is yonnqa
i'm number one
my reputation has just begun
so if you see me
step a side
cause i don't take no jive
oh think she cool
correction baby
i no i'm cool
i no karate
i no kunfu
you miss with me
i co it on you*
rasasol o dazzo o ox2 **
-yaya, cocojams.com, 2/23/2007
-snip-
The contributor wrote that this cheer was called "Call Reputation". 

Update: March12, 2021. Other examples of "Razzle Dazzle" that include the "don't take no jive" are added towards the end of this post. 
   
"no"= known
* I'm not sure what "co" means. 
** I think ox2 means to repeat that line two times.

****
4. "When we were kids, what were some of your favorite hood cheers? Post 'em here. Mine was "Hollywood Not Swingin'"

Hollywood not swingin', Hollywood not...swingin'
Hollywood not swingin', Hollywood not...swingin'

Well my name is Yella, my number's 1,
My reputation is havin' fun,
So if you see me just step aside,
Because this light chick don't take no jiiiiiiiiivvveeee... .
-Cocaine, 08-18-2006, http://www.lipstickalley.com/showthread.php/43158-Hood-Cheers 
[WARNING- Some comments and examples in that discussion thread includes profanity and sexually explicit references.]
-snip-
"Hood" cheers mean "cheers that were performed in working class/poor Black American neighborhoods.
Another commenter addressed this contributor by the name "Yella". This commenter apparently changed her screen name for "Yella" to "Cocaine".

"Yella" (yellow) refers to this Black woman's "light" skin color. 

Another commenter in that discussion thread indicated that this cheers were from the 1980s.

****
5. 
Hey Serenity! Yeah!
Hey Serenity! Yeah!

Introduce yourself! I'll Try!
Introduce yourself! Allright!

My name serenity! Yeah!
Im 24! Yeah!
My reputation is so much more! Yeah!
So when you see me! Yeah!
Just step aside! Yeah!
Cause serenity! Yeah!
Don't take no Jive! 2 3 4.....Hey (whose next) Introduce yourself"
-serenity_24, 12-29-2000, http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=4123&page=2 Childhood Chants and Games
-snip-
This Greekchat discussion thread consisted of members of historically Black Greek letter sororities.  "I'm 24" means that the commenter was born in 1976 and further document this cheer was performed in the 1980s. 

**
6.

ya'll I just remembered this one.
It just came to me..
Hollywood Swingin”
Hollywood (keep) swingin’
Hollywood Swingin”
Hollywood (keep) swingin’
My name is ___ I’m number one.
My reputation is having fun.
So if you see me
Just step aside
Cause mighty ___
Don’t take no jive!

Repeat chorus

My name is ___ I’m number two
My reputation is loving you.

It goes on and on and on and on!

Have mercy!
- AKA2D '91;  12-29-2000, http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=4123&page=2; Childhood chants and games

****
7.

I don't remember all of it but it went something like this:

My name is __________, my number is one,
my reputation is having fun,
those who see me step aside,
mighty (Zodiac sign) don't take no jive.

My name is ______, my number is two,
my reputation is loving you,
those who see me step aside,
mighty (Zodiac sign) don't take no jive

My name is _______, my number is three,
my reputation is being free,
those who see me step aside
mighty (Zodiac sign) don't take no jive.

 

Each person in the group would pick a number and it would go around until you get to the number 10. I don't remember all the rhymes, but I am sure creative people can think of stuff to say.;)
-sigmadiva, 03-25-2003, http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/archive/index.php/t-31403.html Old School Chants
-snip-
Another commenter in that discussion thread, AKA2D '91, wrote on 03-26-2003:
"THAT WAS OUR HOLLYWOOD KEEP SWINGING."
-snip-
There are multiple examples of children's foot stomping cheers that begin with or include the words "My name is [insert your name or nickname.]  The words to these examples vary widely with only a sub-set of those examples including the words "don't take no jive".

****
8. My name is Starr and I'm number one
and my reputation has just begun.
So, if you dont like it just step to the side
Starr Marie Yanez don't take no Jive!
Ugh...she think she bad.
Correction baby, I know I'm bad!
Ugh...she think she kool.
Kool enough to steal your dude!
Ugh, she think she fine.
Fine enough to blow  your mind!
Please girl...stop your lyin.
At least my baby didn't leave me cryin!
-@MariahYanez, 2022; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VTsQ9Li4xk, "Black Girl Hand Games Magic! at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival 2019", Montgomery College, July 23, 2019
-snip-
This example was added Feb. 24, 2025. I changed the numbering to place it after the other "My Name Is __ " example. 

This example was written in paragraph form. i changed it to poetry form to enhance its readability for a cheer/rhyme.

After the first four lines, this example should be read as a conversation between two people. with the two voices alternating. (Such as:
Voice #1-  "Ugh...she think she bad".
Voice #2- "Correction baby, I know I'm bad!"   

****
[Pancocojams Editor's Note: Examples #9-#12 were added on March 12, 2021. I changed their numbering as indicated above.

These examples are versions of "Razzle Dazzle" cheers. "Razzle Dazzle" cheers have very similar words as versions of "Hula Hula" cheers.

Every example of "Razzle Razzle" doesn't include the "don't take no jive" phrase. As of this date, I don't know of any "Hula Hula" cheers that include the phrase "don't take no jive".

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2017/06/examples-of-cheer-razzle-dazzle-with.html 
for the 2017 pancocojams post entitled "Examples Of The Cheer "Razzle Dazzle" (with comments & explanations of verrnacular terms)".

Also, click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/11/examples-of-hula-hula-razzle-dazzle.html for the 2018 pancocojams post entitled "Examples Of "Hula Hula" (Who Think They Bad), "Razzle Dazzle", "Call Reputation" & Similar Girls' Foot Stomping Cheers".]

9.
"I hate these cheers, they are for like the 1st grade, here is a good chant:

Razzle Dazzle, razzle dazzle
hi we are the Hornets and we are number one
and in this razzle dazzle has just began
so if you see us step aside cause we dont take no jive,
razzle dazzle razzle dazzle
Oh she thinks she bad,
lord honey we know we're bad
our skirts are green our shirts are white,
step to us be ready to fight,
razzle dazzle razzle dazzle."
-Cassie and Becca ; 5/22/2006, cocojams.com

****
10.

"*=one clap razzle dazzle (***)
razzle dazzle (***)
our names are cats (or any other team)
we're number one
our reputation has just begun.
so if u see us just step aside,
cats (or other team) baby dont take no jive.
(GROUP 1) ohhh they think their bad.
(GROUP 2) correction baby we know we're bad.
(GROUP 1) ohh they think their hot.
(GROUP 2) ladies....PLEASE!!! "
-Hannah, 9/25/2006, cocojams.com

****
11. 
"Razzle Dazzle (all the girls are in a circle, one girl goes in the middle to sing)
my name is ____ i'm number 1,
my razzle dazzle has just begun
so if you see me better step aside
cause this bad girl don't take no jive
(everybody else in the cirle:) ooh. she thinks she's bad
correction baby, i KNOW i'm bad
ooh. she thinks she's fine
fine enough to blow YOUR mind
razzle dazzle uh huh uh huh
razzle dazzle uh huh.
WOO WOO razzle dazzle uh huh
uh huh razzle dazzle uh huh.
WOO WOO (repeat with everybody in the circle) "
-liz ; 6/22/2007, cocojams.com

****
12. 
"Hiya great site! Here is a cheer: (Where it says Emily change it to your name)

Razzle Dazzle(clap clap clap) Razzle Dazzle(clap clap clap)
My name is Emily
I'm number one
My Razzle Dazzle has just begun
So when you see me step aside.
You know Emily Don't take no Jive
(Everybody) OOh She thinks she's bad
(person speaking previously) No, baby I know I'm bad."
-Emiii; 5/21/2007, cocojams.com

****
If you remember any cheers that include the "don't take no jive", please add to the folkloric collection by sharing those examples in this pancocojams post's comment section.

Remember to add demographic information such as where (city and state or nation if outside of the USA)  you learned that cheer and when you first learned that cheer (year/decade).

Thanks in advance!

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This concludes Part II of this two pancocojams series.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Examples Of "Hollywood Goes Swingin" Foot Stomping Cheers & Hand Clap Rhymes (from 1976 to the early 2000s)

Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest revision: October 3, 2025

This pancoocjams post is a compilation of examples of "Hollywood Swingin'" ("Hollywood Goes Swingin") or similarly titled cheers/rhymes that I have directly observed or read off-line or online as of this date. 

Note: Additional examples have been added since this post was first published. Those examples are at the bottom of this post, regardless of their publishing dates.]

The content of this post is presented for folkloric, cultural, recreational, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all who have contributed examples of this cheer/rhyme.

****

PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE ABOUT "HOLLYWOOD GOES SWINGING" CHEERS/HAND CLAP RHYMES 
"Hollywood Goes Swingin" cheers/rhymes were inspired by Kool & The Gang's 1973 hit R&B/funk hit record "Hollywood Swingin'. Click https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hollywood_Swinging for information about that record.

The examples of "Hollywood Swinging" cheers/rhymes that I have observed have the same tune as end of that hit R&B song when the Kool &The Gang music group sings "Hollywood, Hollywood, Hollywood, now swinging".. Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-Iorb4pWu8 for a YouTube video of that song. 

The notes for the vinyl record Old Mother Hippletoe: Rural and Urban Children’s Songs (New World NW 291) documents that within two years of the release of Kool & The Gang's "Hollywood Swinging" record, African American school girls in Washington, D.C." were performing a cheer entitled "Hollywood Now Swingin'".

All of the examples of "Hollywood Swingin" that I've found to date which include demographic notes are from African American females. However, it's very possible that females who aren't African American have also chanted these cheers/rhymes. Unfortunately, I haven't found any videos of the foot stomping cheer or hand clap examples of "Hollywood Goes Swing"  or similar titles.

Most of the examples of "Hollywood Swingin",cheers/rhymes (with or without a title that includes the word "Hollywood") are from online sources and are given without any geographic location. I'm assuming that most if not all of these examples are from the United States. 

The examples of "Hollywood Swingin" cheers/rhymes that contributors gave with a geographical location are from Washington, D.C. ( vinyl record & record noted), Houston, Texas,(in a book of Black American's children's rhymes), and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (in a book of children's rhymes).

I directly collected most of the examples of these "Hollywood Swinging" cheers/rhymes in this compilation that are from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (or from some of its surrounding communities). 

The remainder of these examples of "Hollywood Swinging" cheers/rhymes whose contributors' mentioned their geographical location from online sources, including from my cocojams.com website that was voluntarily de-activated in 2014. The geographic locations locations that contributors' mentioned along with their examples of "Hollywood Swingin"  were Chicago, Illinois, Birmingham, Alabama, and Richmond, Virginia,

I collected all of the other "Hollywood Swingin" examples that are included in this compilation,  from the internet, particularly from visiting online websites of African American childhood rhymes/cheers and from reading certain YouTube video discussion threads of American children's rhymes and cheers.

It seems likely to me that examples of "Hollywood Swinging" were known to African American girls throughout much of the United States along with other examples of foot stomping cheers such as "Hula Hula", "Introduce Yourself", and "Fly Girl". Notice how similar many of these examples are, particularly those examples from the 1980s and on.

Update: June 6, 2025- This post presents 29 examples of "Hollywood Swinging" foot stomping cheers or hand clap rhymes. 2008 is the latest date for this cheer/rhyme being performed in the present and not being shared from a person's childhood memory.[Read Example #13)..  

My guess is that "Hollywood Goes Swingin'" and those other cheers/rhymes are no longer  chanted or performed the same way that they were in the late 1970s to the early 2009. That some of these cheers/rhymes may still be chanted in modified forms, or even known to American girls and teens nowadays (in the 2020s) is largely thanks to such as the Bring It On series of cheerleader movies.

Click https://cocojams2.blogspot.com/2014/11/the-influence-of-bring-it-on-movies-on.html for my 2014 cocojams2 post entitled "The Influence Of "Bring It On" Movies On Children's Cheerleading".

For the folkloric record, please share examples of "Hollywood Goes Swinging" that you know. Remember to include with demographic information such as the city/state you first learned that example, along with the year or decade and how that example was performed such as a cheer or a hand clap rhyme.)

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/05/an-overview-of-foot-stomping-movement.html for an overview of foot stomping cheers.

Also, click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/01/examples-of-hollywood-swinigin-hand.html for a 2014 pancocojams post entitled "Examples of "Hollywood Swinging" Hand Clap Rhymes From Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania" that includes some of the examples that are found in this post with additional comments

****
EXAMPLES OF "HOLLYWOOD" (HOLLYWOOD SWINGIN" RHYMES AND CHEERS [with available notes & citations]

These examples are given in relative chronological order by year or decade, if known. Numbers are assigned for referencing purposes only.

1.
From http://www.newworldrecords.org/liner_notes/80291.pdf Old Mother Hippletoe: Rural and Urban Children’s Songs
(New World NW 291), Band 3

Barbara Borum and other Washington, D.C., schoolgirls, vocals.
Recorded 1976 in Washington, D.C., by Kate Rinzler.
"Unlike the more communal games, neighborhood cheerleading as performed by girls in Washington, D.C., requires rehearsal and is often dominated by a single dynamic girl who solicits recruits and kicks out slackers. Girls practice by themselves, best friends cheer together, groups proliferate, and everyone who wants to gets into the act."...

HOLLYWOOD NOW SWINGIN' / DYNOMITE
Hollywood now swingin'! (4 times)
CALL: Name is Nita.
RESPONSE: Hollywood now swingin'!
Similarly
I know how to swing.
Every time I swing,
Stevie come around.
CALL: He popped me once.
He popped me twice!
All I felt was—dynomite!
RESPONSE: Dynomite, dynomite!
(Twice)
Dynomite!
CALL: Here she is.
RESPONSE:Dynomite!
Similarly
Foxy Brown!
You mess with me,
I'll shoot you down!
Down, down,
To the ground, Up, up,
CALL: Just out of luck!
RESPONSE: Dynomite, dynomite!
(Twice)
-snip-
This vinyl record album was first released in 1978.
****

2.
From Barbara Michels, Bettye White, editors, Apples On A Stick, The Folklore of Black Children; (Coward-McCann, Inc, 1983, p.14)

HOLLYWOOD ROCK SWINGING
Hollywood rock swinging
Hollywood rock swinging

My name is Aniesha
I'm number one
My reputation is having fun
So if you see my just step aside
'Cause mighty Aniesha don't take no jive

Hollywood rock swinging
Hollywood rock swinging

My name is Katrina
I'm number two
My reputation is me and you
So if you see me just step on back
'Cause mighty Katrina don't take no slack

Hollywood rock swinging
Hollywood rock swinging

My name is Natasha
I'm number twelve
My reputation is ringing that bell
So if you see me just step aside
'Cause mighty Natasha don't take no jive
-snip-
The preface to this book indicated that the examples were collected from Black school children in Houston, Texas. No rhyme categories or performance descriptions are given for any of those examples.

****
Example #3:
From: Tazi M. Powell's (my daughter) memories of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (East Liberty section) in the mid 1980s; African American teenage girls, 

HOLLYWOOD GOES SWINGING

Entire Group- Hollywood goes swinging
Hollywood goes swing- ing
Swinging for the good times.
Swinging for the bad times.
1st Soloist- My name is [insert first name or nickname].
(And) I'm cool and the gang.
Mess with me and I'll do my thang.
My sign is [says her sun sign such as "Taurus" or "Libra"].
And that's alright.
Cause all [says her sung sign]
Are out of sight.
Entire Group-Hey, you- check it out.
You, you check it out.
[The cheer begins from the beginning with the next soloist.]
-snip-
The order of the soloists was often determined by which girl was the fastest to yell out "First!", "Second!" , "Third!" etc.

****
Example #4

ya'll I just remembered this one.
It just came to me..
Hollywood Swingin”
Hollywood (keep) swingin’
Hollywood Swingin”
Hollywood (keep) swingin’
My name is ___ I’m number one.
My reputation is having fun.
So if you see me
Just step aside
Cause mighty ___
Don’t take no jive!

Repeat chorus

My name is ___ I’m number two
My reputation is loving you.

It goes on and on and on and on!

Have mercy!"
-- AKA2D '91; 12-29-2000, http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=4123&page=2; Childhood chants and games [page 3 of 4 page discussion]
-snip-
AKA@D'01 and other participants in this 2000 discussion are from historically Black Greek letter sororities. AKA= Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. '91 [1991] is likely the year that she "went over" (officially became a member of ) AKA.

****
Examples #5, #6, & #7
These three examples of "Hollywood Swinging" chants are from a six page 2003 GreekChat.com. discussion thread entitled "Old School Chants".

Commenters who participated in that 2003 discussion were members of historically Black Greek letter sororities. One commenter wrote that these examples are "inspired by the 1970s". Another commenter wrote that she and a friend who remembered a certain rhyme were 23 and 24 years (in 2003). Yet another commenter had the screen name "Honeykiss1974". The "1974" is probably the year she was born. Given the fact that some commenters mentioned just graduating or preparing to graduate from universities, it's likely that most of these examples of cheers/rhymes were from the 1980s. 

That said, one example entitled "Tell it" mentions the rapper Nas who didn't begin his Hip Hop career until 1991 and whose highly regarded album Illmatic wasn't released until 1994. Therefore, it's likely that any version of that cheer that mentions Nas* was from 1994 or later.

*Nas isn't the same rapper as Lil Nas X, who recorded the 2019 country rap song "Old Town Road".

**
5. From http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/archive/index.php/t-31403.html
Old School Chants [page 1 of 6 pages]

kisha, 03-25-2003
[no location noted]
"Hollywoods are swingin, Hollywoods are swingin
My name is Kisha and I’m cool in the gang
If you don’t like it, I’ll tell you one thang,
My sign is Aquarius and that’s alright,
Cause all ‘quarius are dynomite
Others: Uhn, she think she bad
Me: Bad enough to kick yo bleep (I used to say bleep for real back in the day)
Others: Uhn, she think she fine
Me: fine enough to blow yo mine
Others: Ah girl, stop yo lyin’ you know yo man leave you cryin
Hollywoods are swingin, Hollywoods are swingin"

**
6. From http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=31403&page=3 Old School Chants

Mz Destiny, 03-25-2003
Location: Philadelphia, PA
"remember this one?
Hollywood got swingers
Hollywood got swingers
Hollywood got swingers
Hollywood got swingers

My name is ______ I'm number 1
My reputation's just begun
My sign's ________ and that's alright
Cuz all ______ are dynamite!

Hush chile...I ain't lyin'!!!"

****
7. AKA2D '91, 03-26-2003
[quote]

Originally posted by sigmadiva

Re: A 70's inspired chant
I don't remember all of it but it went something like this:

My name is __________, my number is one,
my reputation is having fun,
those who see me step aside,
mighty (Zodiac sign) don't take no jive.

My name is ______, my number is two,
my reputation is loving you,
those who see me step aside,
mighty (Zodiac sign) don't take no jive

My name is _______, my number is three,
my reputation is being free,
those who see me step aside
mighty (Zodiac sign) don't take no jive.


Each person in the group would pick a number and it would go around until you get to the number 10. I don't remember all the rhymes, but I am sure creative people can think of stuff to say.;)"

[end of quote]

THAT WAS OUR HOLLYWOOD KEEP SWINGING.
-snip-
This was the way this comment was written in that discussion thread.

****
Examples #8 and #9
These two examples are from lipstickalley.com's "Hood Cheers" 2006 discussion thread (remembrances of childhood cheers). Given the title of the thread, it's probable that all are the participants are Black. A commenter wrote that these examples "took her back to the summer of the 80s". [08-18-2006, 11:59 AM #24 Cherica Cherry.] 

It's possible that the other participants in this discussion also remembered these examples from the 1980s.

8.
From http://www.lipstickalley.com/showthread.php/43158-Hood-Cheers
08-18-2006, 10:22 AM #1
Cocaine [This commenter's earlier screen name was yellagirl3658. That name is a reference to her light skin.]

Hood Cheers
When we were kids, what were some of your favorite hood cheers? Post 'em here. Mine was "Hollywood Not Swingin'"

Hollywood not swingin', Hollywood not...swingin'
Hollywood not swingin', Hollywood not...swingin'

Well my name is Yella, my number's 1,
My reputation is havin' fun,
So if you see me just step aside,
Because this light chick don't take no jiiiiiiiiivvveeee... .

****
9. 08-18-2006, 10:53 AM #10
GODDESS! [commenter's screen name]

Tee Hee Hee...

we had a similar one...

Hollywood in my swinging...hollywood in my swingin
hollywood in my swinging...hollywood in my swingin

My name is Goddess! and I'm Kool and the Gang..
and if you don't like it let me tell you one thang...
my sign is a scorpio and that's alright
cus all scorpios are dynomite!

homegirls: uh! she think she bad
me: hush honey I know I'm bad

Homegirls: uh! she think she cool
me: cool enough to steal your dude

homegirls: uh! she think she fine
me: fine enough to blow your mind

homegirls: aw girl stop that lyin
me: at least my man didn't leave me crying

(repeat until everyone gets a turn)
-snip-
In another comment, Goddess! wrote that she was from Chi-town (Chicago, Illinois).

Another commenter wrote this about "Hollywood Not Swingin'" cheers:
8-18-2006, 12:08 PM #26
mollflanders
..."And Hollywood not swingin. It was only fun if you could make up your own ending. The older we got, the nastier they got lol." https://www.lipstickalley.com/threads/hood-cheers.43158/

****
Examples #10 - #13 - I collected these examples of "Hollywood Swinging" from African American pre-teenage girls in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1998. 

10. HOLLYWOOD GOES SWINGIN'

[Both girls] Hollywood.
Hollywood.
Hollywood goes swingin.
Hollywood goes SWINGIN.
Swingin for the good times.
Swingin for the bad times.
[One girl]: My name is Teneisha
and I’m number 9.
I’m kickin it with Ginuwine.*
If you ever see me on the street,
you better speak.
“Long time, no see.”
Sexy as I wanna be.
Some hittin me high.
Some hittin me low.
Some hittin me in my-
Don’t ask what.
My b u t t b u t t butt.
That’s what.
-Teneisha (10 years) and Antoinette (11 years) (African American females, East Hills section of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 1998; collected by Azizi Powell, 1998
-snip-
Kickin it" means "relaxing with", "hangin" with (socializing with).

*"Ginuwine" is a popular young African R&B singer. Three other late 1990s variations of this line that I have heard are “Kickin it with Busta Rhymes (the name of a popular male Hip-Hop star) “Kickin it with Scooby Doo": "Scooby Doo" is the name of a canine cartoon figure) and “Kickin it with Winnie the Poo”- the name of a fictitious bear in children's stories.

This was performed as a two person hand clap rhyme. I was surprised to see this as I had always saw it performed as a foot stomping cheer, or at least that's my memory of this rhyme. My daughter who was with me when I collected this rhyme showed Teneisha and Antoinette the movements for foot stomping cheers. They indicated that they'd never seen "Hollywood" "done" like that. They only knew it as a hand clap rhyme.

Since hand clap rhymes are usually chanted in unison, the fact that these hand clap partners take turns chanting lines in this (and in other) "Hollywood" rhymes suggests to me that this rhyme did indeed start out as a foot stomping cheer. 

****
11. HOLLYWOOD GOES SWINGIN' (fragment)

Hollywood
Hollywood
Hollywood goes swingin
Hollywood goes __ swingin
Swingin for Northside.
Swingin for the Eastside.
My name is Rita.
I'm Number 9
Going down Chicago line.
If you see me on the street
You better speak [I couldn't decipher the next words]
Hey hey, you think you cool.
Hey hey, cool enough to rule your school.
Hey hey, you think you bad.
Bad enough to [didn't remember the rest of the words to this rhyme]
-African American girls and boys; Northview Heights Buddy Program, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, August 19, 1999; collected by Azizi Powell
-snip-
This rhyme was performed as a hand clap routine. The girls who shared this rhyme said that the line might be "Hollywood keeps swingin". The dash means to pause one beat.
The girls said that another version is "swingin for the good times /swingin for the bad times/ swingin every time.

****
12. HOLLYWOOD GOES SWINGIN'

Hollywood (clap clap clap)
Hollywood (clap clap clap)
Hollywood goes swingin.
My name is Shanika.
I'll bust it out.
I'll party to the left
I'll party to the right.
I'll party all night.
I'll party all day.
My name is Sandra.
I'm number one
[I couldn't decipher the next line]
I'm busting all day.
I'm busting all night.
She's busting to the left.
She's busting to the right.
-Shanika and Sandra (African American females, under 11 years old) ; Garfied section of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; November 1, 2000; collected by Azizi Powell, hand clap rhyme November 1, 2000

****
13. HOLLYWOOD GOES SWINGIN'
Both girls:
Hollywood, Hollywood
Hollywood goes swingin
Partner #1:
My name is Raya and I'm number 2
Kickin it with Scooby Doo
Hit me high
Hit me low
Hit me where you wanna go.
-ConRaya E. (11 years); Sha'Ona K. (11 years), African American girls; collected by Azizi Powell (Pittsburgh, PA; 6/12/2008)
-snip-
I collected this rhyme during these girls' school lunch period (when I was a substitute teacher at that school). My recollection is that these two girls basically recited the rhyme and didn't do any movements. Although I didn't write down anything about how this rhyme was performed, the fact that I wrote "partner" suggests that the girls said it was a hand clap rhyme.

This rhyme has it source in a foot stomping cheer, but is (or "was") performed as a hand clap rhyme with the same beginning and ending but partner #2 chanting a different number rhyme.

Each number has one or more rhymes that can be memorized and chanted according to the girl's preference. Number rhymes can also be made up. However, if "Hollywood Swingin" was a foot stomping cheer, the girl who actually was the second soloist, probably would have chanted "I'm number 2" and the soloist who was number 9, probably would have chanted "I'm number 9".

There are a number of similar titles for this rhyme. Among them are "Hollywood", "Hollywood Rocks Swingin", and "Hollywood Keeps Swinging". The tune for the handclap rhyme (and the foot stomping cheer with the same name) is very similar to Kool & The Gang's "Hollywood Swingin'" 1974 record. However, the tempo for examples that I've observed of the rhyme/cheer is somewhat faster.

****
14.
From DC, http://blog.oftheoctopuses.com/000518.php12/9/2005 [website no longer active], example posted on that website on February 9, 2005
"Here's a handclap called hollywood!
(person 1) My name is (your name) im number one my reputation's just begun so turn around and touch the ground get back up and break it down

(person 2) you think you're bad

(1) b-a-d i know im bad

(2) you tink you're cool

(1) cool enough to rule the school

(2) you think your fine

(1) fine fine blow your mind mind take em up take em back give the man a heart attack

(2) you think you're hott

(1) hott anough to blow your pot!

That's it....there's clapping and all but its too hard to explain on this...good luck!

****

15.
From http://onolympus.proboards.com/thread/7297/favorite-childhood-rhymes-clapping-games, OOA Old Head, Aug 5, 2009

"...Anybody remember "Hollywood Go Swinging"?

Hollywood go swinging, Hollywood go swinging!
My name is [Z] I'm cool and hey, don't mess with me or I'll do my thang, my sign is Pisces, but that's alright, 'cause all Pisces are DY-NO-MYTE!

ALL: UM! She thinks she bad!
ME: Correction baby, I KNOW I'm bad!
ALL: Um! She thinks she cool!
ME: Cool enough to be no fool
ALL: UM! She think she fine!
ME: Fine enough to blow your mind!

Hollywood go swinging, Hollywood go swinging!"
-snip-
This commenter's screen "photo: is a drawing of Black woman along with a note that says “Hello Negro" with the “o”s in those words substituted for a drawing of a Black person.

****
16.
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSf5zITOWls
Hand Game #4 [in that video] : Girls' title: "Hollywood" [video published in 2013]

Hollywood [clap clap].
Hollywood goes swingin.
Hollywood goes swingin
My name is [I think this name is "Kalyse", the name of one of the girls in the video.]
I’m on the phone
With my baby I’m all alone
If you see me on the street
Ooh, you better talk to me.
ooh, she thinks she’s cute.
Cute enough to steal your boo.
Ooh, she thinks she bad
B. A. D. I know I’m bad.
Ooh, he thinks he’s cute
Cute enough to be my boo.
Said Hollywood.
Hollywood
Hollywood
1
2
3
Hollywood.
-snip-
Zoe and Kalyse are the names of the girls in this video.

The girls may be saying “swimming" instead of "swinging".

Notice that this is a dialogue between two people. For instance, one person says "Ooh, she thinks she's cute." And the person who is being addressed says "Cute enough to steal your boo".

In the context of this rhyme, "bad" means "very good".
When girls say it "boo" can mean your boyfriend" (or, when boys say it "your girlfriend)".
-snip-
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/01/black-girls-performing-various-hand.html for a pancocojams post on this video.

****
17. BEVERLY ROAD GOES SWINGING [Excerpt- Double Dutch jump rope rhyme]
From the 1997 book Mama’s Girl by Veronica Chambers

Beverly Road go swinging
Beverly Road go swing-ing
Beverly Road go swinging
Beverly Road go swing-ing

Ooh she thinks she’s bad
Baby, I know I’m bad
Ooh, she thinks she cool
Cool enough to steal your dude

From http://www.amazon.com/Mamas-Girl-Veronica-Chambers/dp/1573225991 Publisher: Riverhead Books (May 1, 1997)
"On the streets of Brooklyn in the 1970s, Veronica Chambers mastered the whirling helixes of a double-dutch jump rope."
-snip-
These two excerpts preface the author's remembrances of jumping double dutch rope with her girlfriends.

Here's information about Beverley Road (Brooklyn)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beverley_Road_(BMT_Brighton_Line):
"Beverley Road is a local station on the BMT Brighton Line of the New York City Subway. It is located over a private right-of-way at Beverly Road between Marlborough Road/East 15th Street and East 16th Street in the neighborhood of Flatbush, Brooklyn. It is served by the Q train at all times."
-snip-
This pdf file also contains an excerpt of a rhyme that reads like another version of "Hollywood Goes Swinging": http://drshantesays.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/LaunchExcerpt.pdf excerpt from Dr. Shante’s book, Believing Bigger:
A 31-Day Faith Journey, available March 1, 2016:
“Oooh! She think she cool…Cool enough to steal your dude. Oooh! She think she fine...
Fine enough to blow his mind. Awww girl stop your lying! At least my (man) didn’t
leave me crying.”
-snip-
The author, Dr. Shante, indicates that she and her friends sang this while playing jump rope when they were three and four years old.

****
18. ANGELS GO SWINGING
From Joi; (Birmingham, Alabama; 1990s), cocojams.com*, 3/23/2008

Group: Angels go swinging
angels go swinging!
angels go swinging,
Angels go Swinging!
Solo:My name is Katy
I'm number 1
my reputation has just begun
so if you see me just step aside
'cause me and my man
don't take no jive
Group: Uh, you thank (think) you bad
Solo: Bad enough to make you mad
Group, Uh, you thank you cool
Solo: Cool enough to go to high school
Group: Uh, you thank you fine
Solo: Fine enough to MO,
fine enough to Macho (not really sure what this line means or if we were even saying it right)
fine enough to hula hoop,
fine enough to kick yo' duke
Everyone: say what, say what
say what say what say what
-snip-
* cocojams.com was the name of my multi-page cultural website that included several pages of children's recreational rhymes, singing games, and cheerleader cheers. That website was active online from January 2001 to Nov. 2014. 
-snip-
"Angels" is a group name.

Note that the word "thank" (in the line "Uh, You thank you bad" etc.) probably isn't a typo. Instead, it probably is a purposely pronounced African American Vernacular English word that means “REALLY think”. A similar example of an informal Black vernacular intensifier form of an already existing word ss the word "sang". In some contexts, "sang" is a present tense of the word "sing" and means "to sing very well", especially "to sing soulfully really well".

****
19. HOLLYWOOD 
From Recess Battles: Playing Fighting, and Storytelling by Anna R. Beresin (University Press of Mississippi, Jackson, 2010, page 108-109, in the section of that book whose sub-title is "Steps"), African American girls, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1992

Hollywood
Words -------------------------------------------------Basic Motion
Hollywood got Meeca------------------------in pairs, in two lines, retreating
Hollywood got Meeca------------------------right rocks back, left in place
Hollywood got Meeca------------------------right in place, pause, clap
And always do----------------------------------repeat until the end

[Meeca]
Well, it looks like me got number 20
Watch the power of the money
if you see me on the street
Hey girl you better speak

[all]

Hey you think you bad

{Meeca]
Me? I know I’m bad

[all]
Hey you think you cute

[Meeca]
Cute fine sexy too

[all]

Hey you think you fine
[Meeca]
I’m fine I’ll blow your mind

[109
I got a man, he’s twenty-nine
Tic tac Paddy whack
Who you think you looking at?
A-B-C-D- Gonna have a baby

Reese’s pieces butter cup
If you next U wish you luck

[all]
Hollywood got Licia
Hollywood got Licia
Hollywood got Licia
And always do

[Licia]
Well, it looks like me got number 4
Watch the prowler at the door
if you see me on the street
Hey girl you better speak to me

[all]

Hey you think you bad

[Licia]
Least I pick my maxi pad

[all]
Hey you think you cute

[Licia]
Least I’m not a prostitute

[all]
Hey you think you fine
[Licia]
I’m fine I’ll blow your mind
I got a man, he’s twenty-nine
Tic tac Paddy whack
Who you think you looking at?
A-B-C-D- Gonna have a baby

-snip-

The bold font is how those words were given in that book. The underlined words were how those words were given in that book. That underlining probably means that those words wee emphasized. lines that 

This example is given in the sub-section for "Steps." "Steps" is another referent for what I call "Foot stomping cheers". It's interesting that Anna R. Beresin documented "Hollywood" as a "Step" while each of the examples of "Hollywood" that I collected in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania were performed as two person hand clap rhymes - the earliest example dating from 1998 and the newest example that I collected from 2008/2009. Yet, I thought that I remembered seeing "Hollywood"" performed in Pittsburgh as a cheer. This example from Philly (about 4 1/2 hours from Pittsburgh) suggests that my memory may be right.

****
20. HOLLYWOOD GO SWINGING [fragment]
From AutumnShadow, https://www.lipstickalley.com/threads/black-girl-rhymes-what-was-yours-growing-up.1196979/page-3, Jun 26, 2017

"We had some old school ones that my aunt and older cousins her age taught us.

[...]

"Hollywood go swinging!
Hollywood go swinging
(this one is long so I'm not gon type it all)"...

****
21. CALL REPUTATION 
From yaya, cocojams.com, 2/23/2007 
my name is yonnqa
i'm number one
my reputation has just begun
so if you see me
step a side
cause i don't take no jive
oh think she cool
correction baby
i no i'm cool
i no karate
i no kunfu
you miss with me
i co it on you*
rasasol o dazzo o ox2
-snip-
The contributor wrote that this cheer was called "Call Reputation". I have other examples of this cheer (without the "don't take no jive" phrase) that have the title "Razzle Dazzle".
"no"= known
* I'm not sure what "co" means. 
** I think ox2 means to repeat that line two times.

****
22. HOLLYWOOD 
From Tik Tok Video; The Sol Doula, March 8, 2023, Richmond, Virginia “Hollywood Hand Clap Game" #childhoodmemories [This is my unofficial transcription from .41 of this Tik Tok video. Additions and corrections are welcome.] 

Another one I remember is "Hollywood". Did you play Hollywood as a child?

I was thinking some of It was inappropriate. It went like this.

Hollywood goes swingin

Hollywood goes – swingin

My name is Audi

On the phone

With my purple Reeboks on

[I think it goes like this]

If you see me on the street

Ooh you better start to speak.

“Ugh, she thinks she bad”

B. A. D.” that’s me baby

“Ugh, she thinks she cool”

Cooler than your mama, fool.

“Ugh she thinks she fine”

[Get ready- Begins chanting with a faster tempo]

Fine, fine, blow your mind

Take your man anytime.

Bring him home

Bring him back

I’m still drivin his Cadillac

He bought me one

He bought me two

He married me

Divorced you

Bang Bang and choo choo train

Come on girls, let’s do our thing

I can’t

Why not

“cause I can’t

Why not?

Because my back is hurtin

My bras too tight

My booty shakin from the left to the right

Left right

Left right

Reesie Peesie Buttercup

You mess with me

I’ll mess you up.

end of rhyme.
Original Poster- "What? I think there are a couple of different versions of that rhyme, too."

My name is Audi

On the phone

With my purple Reeboks on

Ooh she thinks she bad

At least I got a wash rag.
-snip-
*The Sol Doula is a young Black American woman. She begins this video by sharing that her friend reminded her of some games that they played every day during recess and whenever they had some spare time.

Here are two comments from that tick tok post [Unfortunately, this Tick Tok video won't publish on this YouTube format.

(Numbers added for referencing purposes only.)

1oohhwwee, 2023-3-8
"lol Hollywood sounds like a lot of different ones meshed together😂😂and no I've never heard that one 😂😂 cute thou. we were too grown😂😂"

**
2. A random a account, 2023, 3-10
"I am so sick that you literally have the only video on this app that talks about the Hollywood game😂 I used to play it when I was a girl it was the best!"

****
23, 24, 25. HOLLYWOOD 
From global, Feb, 2, 2012, https://blog.naver.com/junjo4/150168052684
Hollywood Hollywood Hollywood go swinging ooh she think she bad B.A.D i know im bad ooh she think she cool cool cool like scooby doo ooh she think she fine fine fine like lemon lime she think she cute cute cute like gin and juice my name is (insert name) and im a super fly girl it takes (#) boys to rock my world go sexy go sexy go.(then the person playing with you sayd the same thing.

this is how i sing it

Hollywood Hollywood Hollywood go swinging Hollywood go swinging my names(insert name)on the phone with my daisy dukes on if you see me in the streets boy you best speak to me uh she thinks shes b.a.d ,at least i use a wash rag ,ooh she thinks she cool coolest girl in high school ooh she thinks she fine fine number nine take me home bring me my man back besta have my cadalicc back bang bang choochoo train come again another day why not because i can't why not cause my back hurts from my bra to tight my booty shake to the left to the right left right shake that booty all night

This is how i sing it

Hollywood Hollywood Hollywood go swinging Hollywood go swinging my name is (Ur name) on the my cell with my apple bottoms on if you see me in the club boy you better speak to me uh she think she bad: B.A.D i know I'm bad uh she think she cool: coolest girl in (whatever one Ur in elementary, middle etc) uh she think she: fine fine fine # 8 take your man up on a date bring him home bring him back he best have my Cadillac he bought me me 1 he bought me 2 he married me divorced you bang bang choochoo train come on girl lets do our thing

(other person) i cant

(you) why not

(other person) because i cant

(you) why not

(other person) because my back is ache-ing and my bra is to tight and my booty shaking from the left to the right left right left right

****
26. [WARNING - Some words in this example contain profanity which the contributor wrote with amended spelling]

from Anonymous, February 13, 2023 https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/05/examples-of-hollywood-goes-swingin.html [comment]

“Thank you for capturing these hand games/rhymes! "Hollywood Swinging" came to mind and when I googled some of the words your blog appeared. I am writing to share the version I know (or at least part of it).

For the record, I am a Black/African-American female born in 1981. I can recall singing this version with other Black/African-American girls around 1993/1994 near Philadelphia, PA. It is definitely on the raunchy side.

Hollywood now swing it, Hollywood now swing it.

Hollywood now swing it, Hollywood now swing it

My name is ___ I'm number 2 and I don't like you.

When you see me you turn and switch, humpf - you dirty b****!

Awh, you think you bad! B-A-D, huh, that's me.

Awh, you think you cute! Cute, cute ain't no prostitute.

Awh, you think you fine! Fine, fine I'll blow your mind. I'll take your man anytime."

In the bed….until he's dead!

-Anonymous, December 30, 2022 at 11:23 PM”

**
27, 28, 29
from .https://blog.naver.com/junjo4/150168052684

내가 추가한 

나를 추가한 *

"What are the words to the Hollywood hand clapping game? [asked 2013, 5, 27]

[answer]
many differt ways to sing it but this is how i sing it:

Hollywood Hollywood Hollywood go swinging ooh she think she bad B.A.D i know im bad ooh she think she cool cool cool like scooby doo ooh she think she fine fine fine like lemon lime she think she cute cute cute like gin and juice my name is (insert name) and im a super fly girl it takes (#) boys to rock my world go sexy go sexy go.(then the person playing with you sayd the same thing.

this is how i sing it

Hollywood Hollywood Hollywood go swinging Hollywood go swinging my names(insert name)on the phone with my daisy dukes on if you see me in the streets boy you best speak to me uh she thinks shes b.a.d ,at least i use a wash rag ,ooh she thinks she cool coolest girl in high school ooh she thinks she fine fine number nine take me home bring me my man back besta have my cadalicc back bang bang choochoo train come again another day why not because i can't why not cause my back hurts from my bra to tight my booty shake to the left to the right left right shake that booty all night

This is how i sing it

Hollywood Hollywood Hollywood go swinging Hollywood go swinging my name is (Ur name) on the my cell with my apple bottoms on if you see me in the club boy you better speak to me uh she think she bad: B.A.D i know I'm bad uh she think she cool: coolest girl in (whatever one Ur in elementary, middle etc) uh she think she: fine fine fine # 8 take your man up on a date bring him home bring him back he best have my Cadillac he bought me me 1 he bought me 2 he married me divorced you bang bang choochoo train come on girl lets do our thing

(other person) i cant

(you) why not

(other person) because i cant

(you) why not

(other person) because my back is ache-ing and my bra is to tight and my booty shaking from the left to the right left right left right"
-snip-
*Google translate gave these results for those pictorial designs: from Korean to English -
"I added". 

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Five Children's Cheers Or Rhymes Inspired By Popular Records

Edited by Azizi Powell

Kool & the Gang: Hollywood Swinging (Live from New Orleans 1984)



Johan Nilsson, Uploaded on Aug 5, 2010

One of the funkiest songs ever made! Live from New Orleans in 1984.

-snip-
This pancocojams post showcases  five examples of playground rhymes or cheers that were inspired at least in part by a R&B, Rock, or Hip-Hop record.

The examples that are showcased are "Hollywood Swinging", "We Will Rock You", "Candy Girl", "Fly Girl", and "Playground".

These examples are posted in chronological order with one example of the children's rhyme given after the embedded video of that record. The category of rhyme or cheer is given in brackets after the example's title. 

Click the links that are provided for additional information & versions of the children's playground cheers & rhymes featured on this page, and for other children's playground cheers & rhymes.

Enjoy!

****
Example #1
See video of "Hollywood Swingin" that is posted above.

**
HOLLYWOOD ROCK SWINGING [no category given]*
Hollywood rock swinging
Hollywood rock swinging

My name is Aniesha
I'm number one
My reputation is having fun
So if you see my just step aside
'Cause mighty Aniesha don't take no jive

Hollywood rock swinging
Hollywood rock swinging

My name is Katrina
I'm number two
My reputation is me and you
So if you see me just step on back
'Cause mighty Katrina don't take no slack

Hollywood rock swinging
Hollywood rock swinging

My name is Natasha
I'm number twelve
My reputation is ringing that bell
So if you see me just step aside
'Cause mighty Natasha don't take no jive
-Barbara Michels, Bettye White, editors (Apples On A Stick, The Folklore of Black Children; Coward-McCann, Inc, 1983, p.14)

*"Hollywood Swingin" ("Hollywood Rock Swingin" and other similar names) appears to usually be performed as a partner handclap rhyme. However, in the mid 1980s I observed African American girls chanting a very similar composition as a foot stomping cheer.

****
Example #2
Queen - 'We Will Rock You' (1974)



Uploaded by queenofficial on Aug 1, 2008

The official 'We Will Rock You' music video. Taken from Queen - 'Greatest Video Hits 1'.

**
WE WILL ROCK YOU (cheerleader cheer)
hey...this is a foot stompin cheer.........
we will we wil rock you down
shake you up like a volcano will arupt
sooo fassin ur seat belt
step on the gass
(team names) will kick your (run up and smack your butt}
every body you think ur bad
you think ur mean
richards red raiders are the number 1 team
-Tori; http://cocojams.com/content/childrens-cheerleader-cheers ; 10/28/2006

****
Example #3
New Edition - Candy Girl official video (1983)



Uploaded by dakwa4life on Mar 19, 2009

**
CANDY GIRL (foot stomping cheer)
Candy girl, all my world,
look so sweet special treat
this is the way we (then they name a dance i.e the whop)
Candy girl
do the whop the whop
all my world
do the whop whop
look so sweet
do the whop the whop
special treat
do the whop the whop...
goes on with different dances mostly what is in at the time.
-Guest KLC,(East Harlem, New York, New York); http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=63097 ; Folklore: Do kids still do clapping rhymes? ; July 11, 2008

****
Example #4
A Fly Girl - The Boogie Boys (1985)

Granuhha, Dec 25, 2008

Boogie Boys were an American old school hip hop group from Harlem, New York. They had a major hit in America in 1985 with the single "A Fly Girl" and several successful albums. In 1988, Rudy Sheriff left the group, and soon after they disbanded.

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FLY GIRL (foot stomping cheer)
All except the soloist: Fly girl
Fly girl
Fly girl One
Fly girl Two
Pump it up Teresa
See what you do.
Soloist #1 (Oh) my name is Teresa
and I’m a fly girl
It takes a lot of men
to rock my world.
‘cause I can fly like a butterfly
sting like a bee
and that’s way they call me
Sexy.
-TMP, (African American female, memories of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, mid 1980s); http://cocojams.com/content/foot-stomping-cheers-0

(This foot stomping cheer repeats from the beginning with the next soloist who gives her name or nickname and says the same words as found above. This pattern continues until everyone in the group has one turn as the soloist).

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Example #5
Another Bad Creation - Playground (1991)



Uploaded by AnotherBCreationVEVO on Dec 24, 2009

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PLAYGROUND (foot stomping cheer)
All: I’ve fallin. I can‘t get up.
I’ve fallin. I can‘t get up.
Smack, Jack! Homie don’t play that.
Kick off your shoes (or "Put up your dukes")
And let’s get loose!
All except the soloist whose is indicated by the first letter of her name or nickname:
Kick it "T", Kick it T! Kick it T!
Bust it "T", Bust it "T", Bust it!
Swing it "T", Swing it "T", Swing it!
Soloist: I swing my beat at the playground!

(Repeat the entire rhyme with next soloist, andcontinue repeating in this manner until
every one in the group has had one turn as the soloist). The beat used for this cheer is stompstomp clap stompstomp clap.
-African American girls ages 7-12 years old; Lillian Taylor Camp (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, early 1990s; collected by TMP); http://cocojams.com/content/foot-stomping-cheers-0

Text Analysis:
“Playground” is a dance style foot stomping cheer that demonstrates the creative way that children’s folk rhymes and cheers are created from a number of different mass media sources. That cheer has the same tune as the 1991 hit rap song “Playground” by ABC (Another Bad Creation), a group of young African American teenage boys.
ABC's "Playground". In addition, that foot stomping cheer uses the title of that recorded song and includes lyrics from that song, beginning with “Kick off your shoes and let’s get loose”.

However, that foot stomping cheer also includes lines from other sources. The lines “I’ve fallin’ and I can’t get up” are from a low budget television commercial for security telephone equipment for the elderly. That commercial featured an elderly woman falling down and then saying those exact words. In a weird way, that commercial struck some people’s funny bone.

“Smack, Jack. Homey don’t play that” was the signature lines of “Homie D. Clown”, a character created by comedian Damon Wayans on the innovative comedy television show "In Living Color". Unable to find any other job after being released from prison, Homie worked as a clown at little children’s birthday parties. But Homie had no aptitude for leading children’s party activities and no patience with the little children’s constant questions. At regular intervals in the party, when children asked Homie questions, he would smack them with a plastic baseball bat. Also, Homie would refuse to perform expected “clown” activities at those children's paries. For instance, if a child asked him to make shapes out of balloons, Homie would smack him or her with his baseball bat and say “Homie don’t play that”. "Homie don't play that" became an African American vernacular. That line means that it's unthinkable for you to do what you've been asked to do (it's against your essential nature).

In the context of this foot stomping cheer, “Bust it!”, "Swing it!”, and “Kick it!” all mean “Show us how well you dance.”

"She kicked her beat" means that the girl danced really well.

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Thanks for reading this post.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2011/11/references-to-astrology-in-child for a related text analysis post on children's playground rhymes.

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