Word Up

Cameo

About Word Up

"Word Up!" is a funk and R&B song originally recorded by American funk band Cameo in 1986. The song was written by band members Larry Blackmon and Tomi Jenkins. Its frequent airing on American dance, R&B, and contemporary hit radio, as well as its MTV music video (in which LeVar Burton appears as a police detective trying to arrest the band), helped the single become the band's best known hit.


4:21
#1

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Yo pretty ladies around the world
Got a weird thing to show you
So tell all the boys and girls
Tell your brother, your sister and your mamma too

'Cause we're about to go down
And you know just what to do
Wave your hands in the air like you don't care
Glide by the people as they start to look and stare

Do your dance, do your dance, do your dance quick mamma
Come on baby tell me what's the word

Word up everybody say
When you hear the call you've got to get it underway
Word up it's the code word
No matter where you say it you know that you'll be heard

Now all you sucker DJ's who think you're fly
There's got to be a reason and we know the reason why
You try to put on those Airs and you act real cool
Got to realize that you're acting like fools

If there's music we can use it
You're free to dance
We don't have the time for psychological romance
No romance, no romance, no romance for me mamma
Come on baby tell me what's the word

Word up everybody say
When you hear the call you've got to get it underway

Dial L for love

C'mon all you people sing
W.O.R.D. up, W.O.R.D. up, W.O.R.D. up, W.O.R.D. up

W.O.R.D. up,
W.O.R.D. up

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Cameo

Cameo is an American soul-influenced funk group that formed in the early 1970s. Cameo was initially a 13-member group known as the New York City Players; this name was later changed to Cameo to avoid a lawsuit from Ohio Players,[citation needed] another group from that era. Since then, Cameo has recorded several hit records. As of 2009, some of the original members continue to perform together, while two others were hired by the hip hop group Outkast. Their influences include Rick James, Parliament-Funkadelic, contemporary funk bands like the Bar-Kays, Earth, Wind & Fire, Ohio Players, The Isley Brothers etc. and singers like Marvin Gaye, Billy Paul, Prince, Isaac Hayes, Stevie Wonder and Bootsy Collins. more »

3 fans

Written by: Larry Blackmon, Tomi Jenkins

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Release Info
"Word Up!" was released by the funk and R&B group, Cameo, in 1986. It was the title track for their seventh studio album.
Chart Performance
The song topped the U.S. Billboard R&B chart for three weeks and was also successful internationally, hitting the number 1 spot in the UK singles chart.
Song Rankings
In 2018, "Word Up!" was ranked no. 22 on VH1's list of the 100 Greatest One-Hit Wonders.
Genre Fusion
While Cameo was a funk band, "Word Up!" crosses boundaries by blending elements of R&B, soul, funk, and hip-hop.
Music Video
The music video for "Word Up!" featured LeVar Burton, who was well-known for his role in the Star Trek franchise.
Cover Versions
Over the years, many artists from different musical backgrounds have covered the song "Word Up!". Some of these include Mel B, Korn, Gun, The BossHoss and Little Mix.
Awards and Recognition
In 1987, Cameo won the Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul Single – Group, Band or Duo with "Word Up!".
Band's Intent
Cameo intended for the song to bridge the gap between R&B and the emerging genre of hip-hop, which they managed to achieve successfully.
Commercial Use
In 2008, the song was used commercially by the mobile phone company, MetroPCS in their ads.
Cultural Impact
The phrase "Word Up!" became a popular catchphrase after the song's release and is still used in contemporary colloquial language.

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    "Word Up Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 29 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/37059884/Cameo/Word+Up>.

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    Word Up

    39.6M
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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1986

    Billboard #6


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