"Word Up!" is a funk and R&B song by the American funk band Cameo in 1986. The song's frequent airing on American dance and R&B 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. "It just sounded good, and it was before its time. You can play 'Word Up' anyplace anywhere, and someone is going to be grooving and bobbing their head. Our sound was unique, as well. I haven’t heard another one like it, and we probably won’t hear another one like it in the future. It was that significant for us." -Larry Blackmon 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 mama too 'Cause we're about to throw down and you'll 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, mama Come on, baby, tell me what's the word Word up (Up, up), everybody say When you hear the call you've got to get it underway Word up (Up, up), it's the code word No matter where you say it you'll 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 act real cool But you've got to realize that you're acting like fools Give us music, we can use it, we need to dance We don't have the time for psychological romance No romance, no romance, no romance for me, mama Come on, baby, tell me what's the word Word up (Up, up), everybody say When you hear the call you've got to get it underway, ow Ow, dial L for love Ah, hey, hey Ah, hey, hey Now just come on, all you people say (W-O-R-D up, W-O-R-D up) Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah (W-O-R-D up, W-O-R-D up) Oooh! (W-O-R-D up) Hey, hey (W-O-R-D up) He-hey Hey, hey, hey, yeah Hey, hey, no, no, no, no, no, no, no Yeah, oooh, oooh, oooh, woh Tell me like that, like that Say it like that, now, now, yeah That's the word, everybody's got to know the word Like that, come on Ow, take me real low #cameo #wordup #larryblackmon