Dancing Shoes
● Arctic Monkeys Lyrics


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Get on your dancing shoes
There's one thing on your mind
Hoping they're looking for you
Sure you'll be rummaging through

And the shit, shock, horror
You've seen your future bride
Oh, but it's oh so absurd
For you to say the first word
So you're waiting and waiting

The only reason that you came
So what you scared for
Don't you always do the same
It's what you there for, don't you know

The lights are flashing
Down in here tonight
And some might exchange a glance
But keep pretending to dance

Don't act like it's not happening
As if it's impolite
To go and mention your name
Instead you'll just do the same
As they all do, and hope for the best ...

The only reason that you came
So what you scared for
Well don't you always do the same
It's what you're there for but no

Get on your dancing shoes
You sexy little swine
Hoping they're looking for you
Sure you'll be rummaging through

Oh and the shit, shock, horror
You've seen your future bride
Oh, but it's oh so absurd




For you to say the first word
So you're waiting and waiting

Overall Meaning

In the Arctic Monkey's song "Dancing Shoes", the lyrics describe a young man's experience at a party or a club, where he's trying to catch the attention of someone he's interested in. The first verse sets the stage, with the singer urging the listener to "get on your dancing shoes" and prepare themselves for the night ahead. There's a sense of anticipation in the air, as the young man hopes that his crush will notice him and be "looking for" him. Despite his nerves, he's determined to make a move.


However, in the next verse, we learn that he's struggling to work up the courage to actually talk to his crush. He's seen "your future bride", and he knows that he wants to be with her, but he's afraid to make the first move. Instead, he's "waiting and waiting", hoping that something will happen to bring them together. The chorus then repeats the idea that the young man is at the party for one reason only: to find love. The second verse continues with this theme, discussing the awkwardness of trying to make a connection with someone in a loud and crowded environment. The last line of the song, "so you're waiting and waiting", emphasizes the sense of frustration and uncertainty that comes with trying to navigate the complexities of modern dating.


Overall, "Dancing Shoes" is a song about the excitement and anxiety of trying to find love in a fast-paced and chaotic world. Through the use of vivid imagery and catchy melodies, the Arctic Monkeys capture the universal experience of trying to make a connection with someone new while balancing our own insecurities and fears.


Line by Line Meaning

Get on your dancing shoes
Prepare yourself to dance and have a good time


There's one thing on your mind
All you can think about is having fun and dancing


Hoping they're looking for you
You want to be noticed and desired by others


Sure you'll be rummaging through
You will be searching for someone to connect with


And the shit, shock, horror
Suddenly, with surprise, you see your ideal mate


You've seen your future bride
You believe that you have met the person you will marry


Oh, but it's oh so absurd
It seems ridiculous to be thinking about marriage when you have just met


For you to say the first word
You are too nervous to initiate conversation


So you're waiting and waiting
You are biding your time, unsure of how to proceed


The only reason that you came
You only went out tonight to have fun and dance


So what you scared for
Why are you afraid or nervous?


Don't you always do the same
You always go out and try to have a good time, so what's different this time?


It's what you there for, don't you know
You go out to dance, have fun, and potentially meet someone new


The lights are flashing
The lights on the dance floor are bright and constantly changing


Down in here tonight
On the dance floor at this moment


And some might exchange a glance
Others might make eye contact with you


But keep pretending to dance
People may make eye contact with you, but they are still focused on dancing and having a good time


Don't act like it's not happening
Don't pretend that you don't notice the potential connection between you and someone else


As if it's impolite
It's not rude to make a connection or start a conversation with someone at a social event


To go and mention your name
Don't be afraid to introduce yourself and start a conversation with someone new


Instead you'll just do the same
You'll continue dancing and hoping for someone to approach you


As they all do, and hope for the best...
Everyone at the party is hoping for a good time and a potential connection with someone else


You sexy little swine
You are flirtatiously referring to yourself or someone else




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ALEX TURNER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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