Whodini is a hip hop group formed in the 1980s, made up of Jalil (Jalil Hut… Read Full Bio ↴Whodini is a hip hop group formed in the 1980s, made up of Jalil (Jalil Hutchins), Ecstasy (John Fletcher) and Grandmaster Dee (Drew Carter).

Along with Run-D.M.C. and Fat Boys, Whodini were among the first rap groups to cultivate a high-profile national following for hip-hop music, and made significant inroads on Urban radio. The Brooklyn, New York-based trio consisted of vocalist/chief lyricist Jalil Hutchens, (one of the few rappers to go by his real name), co-vocalist John Fletcher, aka Ecstasy (so-named before the drug trend), who tended to wear a Zorro-style hat as his trademark; and DJ Drew Carter, aka Grandmaster Dee. Contemporaries of Run DMC, they were managed by Russell Simmons, brother of Joey “Run” Simmons. Signed to NY-based indie Jive Records in 1982, they enjoyed a string of hits, mostly charting on Urban/R&B stations. The bulk of production on their releases was done by Larry Smith, a bass player who also handled much of Run DMC’s early work. In keeping with 80’s trends, Whodini’s cuts tended to be synthesizer driven with a heavy electronic drumbeat. The sampling technology that became identified with rap hadn’t really become prominent during Whodini’s early days, and their works were thoroughly original compositions.

“Haunted House of Rock” was their first single, a whimsical Halloween-themed number. Synth-pop pioneer Thomas Dolby produced another of their early singles, “Magic’s Wand”. Speaking with Songfacts about "Magic's Wand" in a 2011 interview, Dolbyexplained that he hooked up with Whodini after sending his demo tape to the music publisher Zomba, who had launched the label Jive Records. Whodini was one of the acts on the label, and Zomba put Dolby together with the New York rap trio.
The group culled a female audience with such relationship-themed cut as “Friends” and “One Love”. Backstage partying was extolled in the mildly controversial “I’m a Ho”. “Fugitive” was guitar-driven funk. From 1982 - 1986 was the band’s heyday, touring with Run DMC, LL Cool J, the Fat Boys, and other prominent R&B and funk outfits of the 80’s.

Their albums Whodini (1983), Escape (1984), and Back in Black (1986; no relation to AC/DC) were all well-received by rap fans and youthful R&B enthusiasts. The ‘Fresh Fest’ tours were the first arena-sized tours to feature all hip-hop lineups, but full-fledged crossover fame seemed to elude them, however. The group had earned their share of gold singles and albums by 1987, when the hits started to slump. Open Sesame, their release that year, failed to produce any hits. After that point, the band eked out their tenure on Jive by occasionally releasing singles, including “Anyway I Gotta Swing it” for the Nightmare on Elm Street 5 movie soundtrack.

The Good Part
Whodini Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

When we gonna get to the good part? (Good part)
Get down, to the good part (good part)
When we gonna get to the good part? (Good part)
When we gonna get to it?

When we gonna get to the good part? (Good part)
Get down, to the good part (good part)
When we gonna get to the good part? (Good part)

When we gonna get to it?

You was at the good part, you just didn′t know it
Say what? You don't believe me and you want me to show it
When the good times came, well then the good parts went
Think about those good parts that you spent
′Cause the more you make, then the more you spend
A then you find yourself, back in debt again!
'Cause a fool and his money is soon departed
You lost yo' good thing before you got started
So you wanna know when you gonna get to the good part
Well it depends on where you start
If you start from here, then you get there quick
And if you start from here, you right next to it
To make sure there′s no hold ups, in between
When you say good part, what part do you mean?
Oh that′s what you mean! I bet you do
Well baby I saved it all for you

When we gonna get to the good part? (Good part)
Get down, to the good part (good part)
When we gonna get to the good part? (Good part)
When we gonna get to it?

When we gonna get to the good part? (Good part)
Get down, to the good part (good part)
When we gonna get to the good part? (Good part)
When we gonna get to it?

Are we gonna get down to the part I like?
You know the part that happened in the movie last night
You know the part that happens in everybody's life
You know the part I′m talkin 'bout, you know the part I like
Are we gonna get down to the part I like?
You know the part that happened in the movie last night
When the guy and the girl went out for a date
Then after that, came back to his place
Where the guy and the girl went up in the house
Closed the doors, then turned the lights out
Excuse me if I′m so rude to remind you
But all night long I done wined you and dined you
I done spent, every cent I had
Now listen here baby I'm about to get mad
All night long at the dinner at the movies
You was talkin′ 'bout what you was gonna do to me!

When we gonna get to the good part? (Good part)
Get down, to the good part (good part)
When we gonna get to the good part? (Good part)
When we gonna get to it?

When we gonna get to the good part? (Good part)
Get down, to the good part (good part)
When we gonna get to the good part? (Good part)
When we gonna get to it?

Now we gonna rock and bust a move
We gonna show y'all people how we groove
Now′s the time to get on up
We gonna make you dance, and shake your butts
Boogie down, to a brand new beat
And I want you all, to dance like freaks
Be ready to rock, and ready to roll
Gonna rock this beat with so much soul
So boogie down, boogie down
Boogie booga boogie boogie boogie down
And now we gonna get to the good part
Get, get get to the good part
Now we gonna get to the good part
We gonna groove, gonna groove to the good part
Now we gonna rock to the good part
Gotta rock gotta rock to the good part

When we gonna get to the good part? (Good part)
Get down, to the good part (good part)
When we gonna get to the good part? (Good part)
When we gonna get to it?

When we gonna get to the good part? (Good part)
Get down, to the good part (good part)
When we gonna get to the good part? (Good part)
When we gonna get to it?

Now, you might think I′m playin but this is from my heart
I don't believe there IS a good part!
′Cause I've been hustlin′, bustlin' and bustin′ my chops
And I STILL can't get to the good part!
I'm not lookin′ for a yacht or a diamond ring
I don′t want a Rolls or take the limousine
Cause life is a center, of many treats
But the worst people seem to get the best seats!
But I keep goin' fo′ it, and I won't stop
Because I don′t believe there IS a good part!

'Cause I′ve been searchin' and lurchin' and lookin′ real good
′Cause if there IS a good part, it ain't in my neighbor

Overall Meaning

Whodini's "The Good Part" is a song that reflects on the idea of the “good part” in life. The song is split into three parts: the first and largest part are the chorus sections, where the group repeats the question "when we gonna get to the good part?" The second part narrates a story about a couple who went on a date, and the third part provides deep introspection about what the good part is and how it is sought after.

In the first two-thirds of the song, the group asks when the good part is coming, implying that they believe there is an eventual payoff for all of their hard work. The second part, however, challenges this idea, as the singer explains that they have to spend all their money on the date they went on, which sets up the third part of the song. In the third part, the group reflects on the reality that often, even with hard work, good things don't always happen, and that the pursuit of a "good part" can take a person’s whole life without ever coming to fruition.

Line by Line Meaning

When we gonna get to the good part?
Asking when the enjoyable part of life will come.

Get down, to the good part
Encouraging others to enjoy life's pleasures.

When we gonna get to it?
Asking again when the enjoyable part of life will come.

You was at the good part, you just didn't know it
You may have missed an opportunity for joy because you did not recognize it.

Say what? You don't believe me and you want me to show it
Disbelief that someone missed an opportunity and offering proof of it.

When the good times came, well then the good parts went
Sometimes, the enjoyable part of life can appear suddenly and disappear just as quickly.

Think about those good parts that you spent
Reflecting on enjoyable moments from the past.

Cause the more you make, then the more you spend
Making more money often leads to more spending, and not necessarily more joy.

A then you find yourself, back in debt again!
Overspending can lead to financial trouble and stress.

'Cause a fool and his money is soon departed
Foolish spending can quickly lead to financial ruin.

You lost yo' good thing before you got started
Missing out on an opportunity because of poor choices.

So you wanna know when you gonna get to the good part
Inquiring again about when the enjoyable part of life will arrive.

Well it depends on where you start
The ability to enjoy life depends on one's perspective and starting point in life.

If you start from here, then you get there quick
Taking advantage of the present moment can lead to more joy soon.

And if you start from here, you right next to it
Enjoyment may be closer than one thinks.

To make sure there's no hold ups in between
Removing obstacles that might prevent joy and enjoyment.

When you say good part, what part do you mean?
Clarifying what makes life enjoyable for others and what brings them joy.

Oh that's what you mean! I bet you do
Understanding and acknowledging what brings joy to others.

Well baby I saved it all for you
Promising to bring joy to someone's life.

Are we gonna get down to the part I like?
Asking to enjoy one's preferred activity.

You know the part that happened in the movie last night
Enjoying a particular moment or activity experienced in life or media.

You know the part that happens in everybody's life
Shared experiences that bring joy to many people.

You know the part I'm talking 'bout, you know the part I like
Referring to a personal favorite activity or experience that brings joy.

When the guy and the girl went out for a date
Describing a romantic encounter.

Then after that, came back to his place
Continuing to describe a romantic encounter.

Where the guy and the girl went up in the house
Continuing to describe a romantic encounter.

Closed the doors, then turned the lights out
Continuing to describe a romantic encounter.

Excuse me if I'm so rude to remind you
Apologizing for potentially offending someone while continuing to describe a romantic encounter.

But all night long I done wined you and dined you
Describing efforts to impress and woo someone.

I done spent, every cent I had
Spending all available money to impress or enjoy time with someone.

Now listen here baby I'm about to get mad
Expressing frustration after spending significant money and effort without reaching desired outcome.

All night long at the dinner at the movies
Continuing to describe time and money spent wooing someone.

You was talkin' 'bout what you was gonna do to me!
Suggesting that the person being wooed was focused on future interests and not enjoying the present moment.

Now we gonna rock and bust a move
Moving on from frustration and enjoying a new activity.

We gonna show y'all people how we groove
Displaying one's preferred method of enjoyment to others.

Now's the time to get on up
Encouraging others to join in the fun.

We gonna make you dance, and shake your butts
Encouraging others to dance and enjoy the experience.

Boogie down, to a brand new beat
Experiencing joy through music and dancing.

And I want you all, to dance like freaks
Encouraging people to let loose and enjoy themselves without reservation.

Be ready to rock, and ready to roll
Encouraging readiness to enjoy the moment.

Gonna rock this beat with so much soul
Committing to enjoying the experience with passion and energy.

So boogie down, boogie down
Continuing to encourage people to dance and enjoy the moment.

Boogie booga boogie boogie boogie down
Continuing to encourage people to dance and enjoy the moment in a playful way.

And now we gonna get to the good part
Referring to the joy and enjoyment experienced in the current moment.

Get, get get to the good part
Emphasizing the desire to experience joy and enjoyment.

Now we gonna get to the good part
Continuing to experience the joy and enjoyment of the moment.

We gonna groove, gonna groove to the good part
Enjoying the experience through music and dancing.

Now we gonna rock to the good part
Experiencing the joy and excitement of the moment through music and dancing.

Gotta rock gotta rock to the good part
Emphasizing the importance of letting loose and enjoying the moment to the fullest extent possible.

Now, you might think I'm playin but this is from my heart
Acknowledging that the desire for joy and enjoyment comes from a genuine place.

I don't believe there IS a good part!
Expressing cynicism or doubt about the possibility of true joy and enjoyment.

'Cause I've been hustlin', bustlin' and bustin' my chops
Describing a difficult and stressful life without much joy or enjoyment.

And I STILL can't get to the good part!
Expressing frustration at the inability to find joy and enjoyment no matter the effort.

I'm not lookin' for a yacht or a diamond ring
Rejecting materialism and consumerism as a source of joy and fulfillment.

I don't want a Rolls or take the limousine
Continuing to reject materialism and consumerism as a source of joy and fulfillment.

Cause life is a center, of many treats
Acknowledging that life has many sources of joy and enjoyment.

But the worst people seem to get the best seats!
Expressing frustration at how people who do not deserve joy and enjoyment often have it while those who work hard may not.

But I keep goin' fo' it, and I won't stop
Continuing to search for joy and enjoyment despite the difficulties.

Because I don't believe there IS a good part!
Returning to the initial skepticism about the possibility of true joy and enjoyment.

Cause I've been searchin' and lurchin' and lookin' real good
Continuing to describe a difficult and frustrating effort to find joy and enjoyment in life.

'Cause if there IS a good part, it ain't in my neighbor
Despite the effort, joy and enjoyment may continue to elude, making it feel like others have found it while we have not.

Writer(s): Lawrence Smith, Jalil Hutchins

Contributed by Joshua V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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