“Walk The Dinosaur”: Was (Not Was)’s Quirky Pop Phenomenon
In 1987, Detroit’s genre-bending duo Was (Not Was) dropped “Walk the Dinosaur,” a track that somehow blended club-ready funk, surreal humor, and quiet political commentary. Included on their breakthrough album What Up, Dog? (1988), it became a worldwide hit thanks to its infectious groove and prehistoric absurdity. Whether heard in clubs, cartoons, or animated theme parks, the song still leaves footprints.
A groove built for extinction-level impact
Co-written by David Was, Don Was, and Randy Jacobs, the track serves up a riot of funk and New Wave energy. The arrangement leans on a fat bassline, horns, cowbell, and electronic drums, with playful sound effects and unexpected flourishes throughout. Vocals by Sweet Pea Atkinson and Sir Harry Bowens bring grit and charisma to the tongue-in-cheek delivery.
What sounds like a goofy dance anthem is actually shot through with subtle darkness—especially in its verses, which nod to Cold War paranoia and nuclear fears. That’s part of the charm: the song grooves, but it also smirks.
Boom boom, attitude and absurdity
Lyrically, “Walk the Dinosaur” leans all the way into surrealism. “Boom boom acka lacka boom boom…” The chant became a cultural earworm, helping the song feel instantly fun and weirdly primal. But beneath the irreverence lies satire—Jacobs confirmed the track was partly a protest against Cold War nuclear threats. It’s danceable dystopia with a catchy hook.
Visuals that went full Flintstone
Directed by Nigel Dick, the music video is a prehistoric fever dream. It features cavewomen dancing, animated dinosaurs, and stone-age chic, spliced with clips from classic cartoons like Daffy Duck and the Dinosaur. The video got heavy MTV rotation, amplifying the band’s eccentricity to a worldwide audience.
Charts, pop culture, and party playlist fame
Released in September 1987, the song reached No. 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in April 1989, following its album release. It also cracked the Top 10 in the UK, Canada, Australia, and several countries across Europe.
Since then, the track has popped up in movies like The Flintstones (1994), Super Mario Bros. (1993), and Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009). It’s been covered by artists ranging from George Clinton to Queen Latifah, and was even used in animatronic stage shows at Chuck E. Cheese’s.
Still grooving after the asteroid
Even decades later, “Walk the Dinosaur” remains a beloved curiosity—equal parts dance floor filler and pop culture artifact. It’s silly, yes, but smart in its own way, and still gets toes tapping with its unrelenting rhythm and theatrical flair.
It’s proof that sometimes, all you need is a good groove… and maybe a few cavewomen.
