The song instructs children to complete chores like taking out the trash, cleaning their room, doing laundry, and walking the dog in order to earn allowance and be able to go out on Friday night. It warns them not to talk back to their parents with phrases like "Yakety yak, don't talk back." The song repeats the chorus each verse to emphasize completing chores before having fun.
2. (V1)
Take out the papers and the trash
Or you don't get no spending cash
If you don't scrub that kitchen floor
You ain't gonna rock and roll no more
Yakety yak
Don't talk back
3. (V2)
Just finish cleaning up your room
Let's see that dust fly with that broom
Get all that garbage out of sight
Or you don't get no Friday night
Yakety yak
Don't talk back
4. (V3)
You just put on your coat and hat
And walk yourself to the Laundromat
And when you finish doing that
Bring in the dog and put out the cat
Yakety yak
Don't talk back
6. (V4)
Don't you give me no dirty looks
Your father's hip, he knows what cooks
Just tell your hoodlum friends outside
You ain't got time to take a ride
Yakety yak
Don't talk back
7. (V5)
Take out the papers and the trash
Or you don't get no spending cash
If you don't scrub that kitchen floor
You ain't gonna rock and roll no more
Yakety yak
Don't talk back