You know that feeling. The bass kicks in, a robotic voice pulses through the speakers, and suddenly, you’re not just standing in a room; you’re part of a collective surge of energy. That’s the magic of the Let’s Get Started lyrics. Most people think they know the words by heart, but if you look at the history of this track—specifically the Black Eyed Peas’ 2004 smash—there’s a lot more under the surface than just a catchy club hook. It’s a song about shedding inhibitions, sure, but it’s also a case study in how a song can evolve, change its identity, and still dominate the airwaves for twenty years.
Music is weird like that.
The song didn't actually start as "Let’s Get It Started." If you’re a real fan of the Elephunk era, you remember the original title was "Let’s Get Retarded." Honestly, in 2003, that kind of language was everywhere in pop culture, used as a slang term for "losing your mind" or "going crazy" on the dance floor. But times changed fast. The group, led by will.i.am, realized the term was offensive and alienating. They went back into the studio, flipped the chorus, and created the version we hear at every NBA game and wedding reception today. It was a smart move. It saved their career and gave us a universal anthem.
The Anatomy of the Let’s Get Started Lyrics
Breaking down the verses reveals a lot about the group's dynamic at their peak. You’ve got will.i.am setting the stage, Taboo bringing the flair, and apl.de.ap adding that rhythmic punch. And then there's Fergie. Her entrance in this track basically cemented her as the "it-girl" of the mid-2000s.
The lyrics aren't trying to be Shakespeare. They don't need to be. The focus is on phonetics and flow. When they say "In this context, there's no disrespect," they are literally telling the audience to leave their baggage at the door. It’s an invitation to a specific kind of mental state. A state where the rhythm takes over.
Runnin' runnin', and runnin' runnin'...
That repetitive line is the engine of the song. It mimics the feeling of a heartbeat under stress—the good kind of stress. The kind you feel when you're about to do something bold. Most people get the "Let's Get Started lyrics" confused with other party tracks from the same era, but the cadence here is unique because it blends hip-hop bravado with a poppy, almost theatrical energy.
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Why the "Radio Edit" Became the Real Version
It’s rare for a remix or a radio edit to completely eclipse the original. Usually, people hunt for the "uncut" version of a song to feel like they're getting the raw experience. Not here. The "Started" version of the lyrics feels more intentional. It feels like an upward trajectory.
The opening line—"And the bass keeps runnin' runnin'"—sets a physical expectation. You aren't just listening; your body is reacting to the low-end frequencies. The lyrics serve as a rhythmic guide. will.i.am’s verse about "losing control, body and soul" is classic dance-pop trope, but delivered with such conviction that you buy into it every single time. It's about the "vibe," a word people use too much now, but back then, the Black Eyed Peas were the ones actually defining it for a global audience.
Misheard Lines and Common Lyric Mistakes
Let’s be real. Nobody actually knows every single word in the verses.
We all scream the chorus. We all do the "da-da-da-da-da" part. But once apl.de.ap starts his rapid-fire delivery, most of us are just making rhythmic noises that sound vaguely like English. One common mistake is the line "Bob your head like 24-7." People often hear "Bob your head like plenty of heaven" or other nonsense. The actual lyric is about consistency. It’s about the relentless nature of the beat.
Another one? "Obstacles are blockades." People often miss the internal rhyme schemes that will.i.am uses to bridge the gap between the heavy beat and the vocal melody. He’s a producer first, so he writes lyrics that fit the "shape" of the sound. If a word doesn't have the right percussive hit, he'll swap it for one that does. That’s why the Let’s Get Started lyrics feel so "bouncy."
The Cultural Impact of the "Started" Hook
The song became a staple for the NBA. Think about that for a second. A song that started as a controversial club track ended up being the literal theme song for professional basketball. Why? Because the lyrics are a perfect "hype" tool.
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- "Start 'em up."
- "Let's get it started (ha)."
- "In here!"
These are commands. The lyrics are imperative. They aren't asking you if you'd like to dance or if you're feeling the music. They are telling you that the event has begun. This is why the song hasn't aged out of the rotation. It’s functional. It serves a purpose in a stadium that a deeper, more lyrical song never could. It’s the sonic equivalent of a caffeine shot to the dome.
Comparing the Peas to the Rest of the 2004 Charts
If you look at what else was playing in 2004, you had Usher’s "Yeah!" and Outkast’s "Hey Ya!" It was a golden era for high-energy crossovers. But while "Yeah!" was a club-grinder and "Hey Ya!" was a brilliant Trojan horse of a sad song disguised as a happy one, "Let’s Get Started" was pure, unadulterated adrenaline.
The lyrics reflect this by staying simple. They don't dive into the relationship drama that dominated R&B at the time. They don't try to be "street" or "gangsta" despite the group's underground roots in the 90s. They embraced the "Peas" identity—colorful, slightly weird, and universally accessible.
Key Themes in the Lyrics:
- Total Abandon: The idea that you have to let go of your ego to enjoy the moment.
- Universal Language: Using onomatopoeia and simple rhymes to cross language barriers.
- The Power of the Bass: Referencing the music itself within the lyrics to create a self-referential loop.
How to Use These Lyrics in a Modern Context
If you're a DJ or a content creator, you know this track is a "break glass in case of emergency" record. If the dance floor is dead, you drop this. The lyrics act as a psychological trigger.
Interestingly, the "Let's Get Started" phrase has become a meme in its own right. It’s used in TikTok transitions and workout montages constantly. Even though the song is twenty years old, the core message—the idea of an "ignition" point—never goes out of style. It’s one of those rare tracks where the lyrics and the production are so tightly wound together that you can’t imagine one without the other. You can't just read the lyrics; you have to hear the "ha!" at the end of the phrase.
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Actionable Steps for Music Lovers and Creators
If you’re looking to analyze or use these lyrics effectively, keep these points in mind.
First, pay attention to the tempo. The song sits at about 105 BPM, which is a "walking pace" on steroids. If you're building a playlist, it transitions perfectly from mid-tempo hip-hop into high-energy pop.
Second, look at the layering. If you’re a songwriter, study how the Black Eyed Peas use "call and response." One person says a line, the group responds. It’s a classic technique used in gospel and blues, brought into a futuristic pop setting. It creates an atmosphere of "us" rather than "me."
Lastly, respect the pivot. The story of this song is a lesson in branding. By changing the lyrics from the original version to the "Started" version, the Black Eyed Peas proved that you can evolve your art to be more inclusive without losing its soul. They didn't lose the energy; they just pointed it in a more positive direction.
Next Steps to Explore:
- Listen to the Elephunk album in full: It provides the context for how the group transitioned from underground hip-hop to pop royalty.
- Watch the live 2004 performances: You can see how the group used the lyrics to manipulate the energy of massive crowds.
- Analyze the bridge: The middle section of the song is a masterclass in building tension before a final "explosion" of the chorus.
The lyrics are more than just words; they are a blueprint for how to start a movement—or at least, how to start a really great party.