INTRO:  
F                          Dm 
Bout this dance called the Mess Around..
Bb                 C 
Baby, dig what I'm puttin' down.
  
#1.  
        F                                  F7 
You can Pony with Tony, Twist with Mr. Lee, 
    Bb                           C                                                   
but if you're gonna Mess Around, Mess Around with me.
  
#2.   
       F                                      F7 
Do the Shimmy with Jimmy, Hucklebuck with Dee, 
    Bb                                     C                F 
but if you're gonna Mess Around, oh, baby, Mess Around with me.
  
CHORUS: 
        Bb                    
All the other dances you are free, 
        G                               C   
but you better save, the last dance for me.
  
#3. 
        F                                             F7 
You can Cha Cha with Charlie, Stroll with Stagger Lee, 
    Bb                           C                F 
but if you're gonna Mess Around, Mess Around with me.
  
#4. 
F 
You can Pony with Tony..boogety, boogety, boogety shoot.

(INTERLUDE:SAX:)

#5.
C           F                                         F7
Hey, do the Twist with Mr. Lee..round and around and around.
Bb                     
Round and around and around and around..
F 
Round and around and around and around..hey!
    Bb                 
but if you're gonna Mess Around, you better,    
C                F
Mess Around with me.

CHORUS: 
        Bb                    
All the other dances you are free, 
        G                               C   
but you better save, the last dance for me.
  
#6.  
F                                             F7
Hully Gully with Harry, Slop for Pop, or flee..
    Bb                                    C                F 
but if you're gonna Mess Around, hear me? Mess Around with me.

OUTRO:
F 
Do the Birdland with Birdie, do the Birdy with Ernie.. 
  Bb               F        
Watusi with Susie, Twist with my little Sis..(Fade.)