Verse 1] It started kinda gentle, just a shuffle and a sigh, A little bass line strollin’, with a trumpet ridin’ high. The dancers took their corners, the band began to boom— Then bam! the beat exploded, and the rhythm took the room! [Chorus] The rhythm took the room, the lights began to shake, The chandeliers were swingin’ like a New Orleans quake! The waiters dropped the dishes, the drummer lost his broom— Hold onto your heart, sweetheart, the rhythm took the room! [Verse 2] The piano hit a gliss, the sax went wild and hot, The singer lost her lyric but nobody cared a jot. The couples hit the ceiling, the ceiling hit the floor— The crowd was clappin’ double-time, they shouted out for more! [Chorus] The rhythm took the room, the tables took a spin, The coat check girl was swingin’ with the guy from violin! A jitterbug tornado, a syncopated bloom— Oh mercy, call the fire brigade, the rhythm took the room! [Bridge – half-time feel, cheeky croon] Even the moon outside was tappin’ on the glass, The clock struck twelve and hollered, “Let this night not pass!” The band played on till Sunday noon, And every soul was howlin’ to that crazy tune! [Final Chorus – full brass blast] The rhythm took the room, the band took the town, The mayor showed up in slippers and he couldn’t sit down! The preacher shouted “Mercy!” and the bells went boom-boom— Now honey, don’t you fight it—let the rhythm take the room! [Tag – spoken/sung over instrumental outro] Yeah, the rhythm took the room… And the roof came right along too!
