The board of education from Maine to Tennessee
Just don't dig that crazy ABC,
You know they teach you somethin' different and they call it R and B.
 
You gotta learn your rhythm and blues,
Everybody's shoutin' the news,
Go out n' buy a pair of rock and roll shoes
Or brother you're gonna lose.
Time is incidental,
Fun is fundamental
When you learn your rhythm and blues.
 
No more readin' and writin' and arithmetic,
Ah, you got to know the three R's when the teacher swings her hickory stick.
Mm, start a'reelin' and a'rockin' and a'rollin' with your chick.
 
When the teacher gives homework everyone shouts "Hooray, hooray",
I get to go right home and study without delay.
Aah, I'm gonna tune in to Bandstand, get the lesson for today.
 
You gotta learn your rhythm and blues,
Everybody's shoutin' the news,
Go out n' buy a pair of rock and roll shoes
Or brother you're gonna lose.
Time is incidental,
Fun is fundamental
When you learn your rhythm and blues.
 
You gotta learn your rhythm and blues, oh yeah,
You got to learn your rhythm and blues, oh man,
You gotta learn your rhythm and blues...