In the darkest part of the city And on the coldest night of the year A dangerous man with a gun in his hand Put an end to a brief career You won't read about it in the paper You won't hear about it on the news But handsome Sam, the Boogie Man Hung up his dancing shoes Let me tell you 'bout Sam the Boogie Man He was the king of Second Street He was a dancer from his fingertips To the bottom of his feet Well, inside that boy an unnatural joy Just swinging to the beat His dips and slides would mesmerize Each woman that he'd meet And that boy could boogie! Sure could boogie! Yeah boogie was the beat that moved the feet Of Sam, that Boogie Man Well Ruby was this showgirl With opalescent eyes An ivory smile and a diamond heart And alabaster thighs He met her in the summertime Out on a parquet floor And he danced her from those neon lights Right to her bedroom door And that boy could boogie! Sure could boogie! Yeah, boogie was the beat that moved the feet Of Sam, that Boogie Man He thought it was another fling But that girl was much too strong