The lyrics of the song are narrated first person by Kate's sister, who sings about Kate's impressive dancing skill and her wish to be able to emulate it. She laments that she's not quite "up to date", but believes that dancing like "Sister Kate" will rectify this, and she will be able to impress "all the boys in the neighborhood" like her sister. David Bowie used to team this song with an updated version of The Flares 1960 doo-wop song "Foot Stompin'" during the 1974 Diamond Dogs tour. Guitarist Carlos Alomar blessed the update with a riff that became Bowie's hit "Fame".