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Dancing On the Ceiling
Chet Baker Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

The world is lyrical
Because a miracle
Has brought my lover to me
Though he's some other place, his face I see

At night I creep in bed
And never sleep in bed
But look above in the air
And to my greatest joy, my love is there

He dances overhead
On the ceiling near my bed
In my sight
Through the night

I try to hide in vain
Underneath my counterpane
But there's my love
Up above

I whisper, "Go away, my lover
It's not fair"
But I'm so grateful to discover
He's still there

I love my ceiling more
Since it is a dancing floor
Just for my love

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Chet Baker's song 'Dancing On the Ceiling' describe a seemingly impossible love that is defying physical distance and barriers, as the singer sees their lover's face and watches them dance on the ceiling near their bed. The first verse of the song sets the enchanting, magical tone by describing the world as lyrical, thanks to the miracle that brought the singer's lover to them. The singer is aware that their lover is physically absent, yet they see their face in their mind's eye.


The second verse of the song reveals that the singer cannot sleep in bed, as they are too busy gazing at their lover dancing ecstatically above them, on the ceiling. Even though the singer tries to hide, they cannot escape and instead give in to their joy at watching their lover dance. Despite feeling like it's not fair, the singer is grateful that their lover is still there, watching over them through the night.


The final verse celebrates the love that the singer feels, transforming their ceiling from a static surface into a dancing floor. The song's theme seems to suggest that love can transcend physical boundaries and limitations, allowing for a profound emotional and spiritual connection. Chet Baker's smoky voice helps imbue the lyrics with a dreamlike, romantic quality that underscores the otherworldly nature of the song.


Line by Line Meaning

The world is lyrical
The world has become lyrical and poetic


Because a miracle
Due to an extraordinary event or happening


Has brought my lover to me
My lover has come to me through some divine intervention


Though he's some other place, his face I see
Even though my lover is not physically present, I can still see his face


At night I creep in bed
When night falls, I quietly slip into bed


And never sleep in bed
I don't actually sleep in bed


But look above in the air
Instead, I look up above in the air


And to my greatest joy, my love is there
And to my utmost happiness, my lover appears to be there


He dances overhead
My lover dances above me


On the ceiling near my bed
On the ceiling that's close to my bed


In my sight
Within my view


Through the night
All through the night


I try to hide in vain
I make futile attempts to conceal myself


Underneath my counterpane
Underneath the sheets that cover me


But there's my love
But there's my lover


Up above
Above me


I whisper, "Go away, my lover
I whisper to my lover to go away


"It's not fair"
It's not right or just


But I'm so grateful to discover
However, I'm deeply grateful to find out


He's still there
That my lover is still there


I love my ceiling more
I cherish my ceiling even more


Since it is a dancing floor
As it now serves as a place to dance


Just for my love
All for the sake of my beloved




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LIONEL B. JR. RICHIE, MICHAEL HENRY JR. FRENCHIK, CARLOS MANUEL RIOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@joedefelice7001

I think this is the first album I got on Chet, many years ago, and the one that turned me onto him! Great stuff! His vocals and SCATTING on the whole album is great!

@settimocielo1966

Assolutamente fantastico…!!!

@belenpolicastro7328

She dances overhead
On the ceiling near my bed
In my sight
Through the night

I try to hide in vain
Underneath my counterpane
There's my love
Up there above

I whisper, go away, my lover
Its not fair
But Im so grateful to discover
She's still there

I love my ceiling more
Since it is a dancing floor
Just for my love
I whisper, go away, my lover
Its not fair
But Im so grateful to discover
She's still there

I love my ceiling more
Since it is a dancing floor
Just for my love

@joaquinsanchis1864

Fuera de serie!!!😊

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