I Can't Dance
ο»ΏGenesis Lyrics
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Burning my feet just walking around
Hot sun makin' me sweat
Gators getting close, hasn't got me yet
I can't dance
I can't talk
Only thing about me is the way I walk
I can't sing
I'm just standing here selling everything
Blue jeans sittin' on the beach
Her dog's talking to me, but she's out of reach
Mhm, she's got a body under that shirt
But all she wants to do is rub my face in the dirt
'Cause I can't dance
I can't talk
Only thing about me is the way I walk
I can't dance
I can't sing
I'm just standing here sellin'
Oh, and checking everything is in place
You never know who's lookin' on
Young punk spillin' beer on my shoes
Fat guy's talkin' to me, tryin' to steal my blues
Thick smoke, see her smiling through
I never thought so much could happen just shootin' pool
But I can't dance
I can't talk
The only thing about me is the way that I walk
I can't dance
I can't sing
I'm just standing here sellin'
Oh, and checking everything is in place
You never know who's looking on
A perfect body with a perfect face
Mhm
No, I can't dance
I can't talk
The only thing about me is the way I walk
No, I can't dance
I can't sing
I'm just standing here sellin' everything
No, I can't walk
No, I can't dance
No, no, no, I can't dance
No, I said, I can't sing
The lyrics of Genesis's song "I Can't Dance" explore a sense of limitation and insecurity coming from a feeling of not being able to measure up to societal expectations. The singer seems to be wandering aimlessly under a scorching sun, perhaps seeking a sense of relief or belonging, but finding neither. He is self-conscious about his inability to dance, talk or sing, feeling as though he is being judged by others who may be more skilled or confident than him. Instead, he tries to compensate by selling everything he can, thus validating his presence in the world through material objects. The encounter with the girl on the beach seems to both attract and repel him, as he acknowledges the allure of her body but also the potential to be humiliated by her subtle rejection.
One way of understanding the song is as a commentary on the pressures of conformity in contemporary culture. The singer is aware that he is out of step with the norms of social interaction, and feels powerless to change himself or adapt to the expectations of others. While he tries to present a façade of self-assuredness, he is really struggling to find his place in the world, and is aware of his own inadequacies. The imagery of the gators and the sun suggests a harsh and unforgiving environment, which mirrors the psychological stress of trying to fit into a world where one does not belong.
Overall, "I Can't Dance" can be seen as a lament for the loneliness and alienation that can arise from a sense of not fitting in, and a critique of the superficial values that underlie much of contemporary culture. At the same time, the song is also humorous and self-deprecating, with a catchy melody and clever wordplay that make it an enjoyable listening experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Hot sun beating down
The sun's scorching rays are shining on me with a lot of intensity.
Burning my feet just walking around
The heat from the sun is so intense that my feet are on fire while I am walking.
Hot sun makin' me sweat
The heat from the sun is so overwhelming that it is making me sweat excessively.
Gators getting close, hasn't got me yet
Alligators are nearby, but I have not become a victim of their attack yet.
I can't dance
I am not able to dance and move my body to the rhythm of the music.
I can't talk
I am unable to communicate effectively using words and speech.
Only thing about me is the way I walk
The only thing that sets me apart from others is the way I walk.
I can't sing
I am unable to produce musical sounds with my voice.
I'm just standing here selling everything
I am present here to sell something, but I am only standing in one place doing nothing else.
Blue jeans sittin' on the beach
A person wearing blue jeans sitting on the beach is visible to me.
Her dog's talking to me, but she's out of reach
The woman's dog is communicating with me, but the woman is too far away for me to communicate with her.
Mhm, she's got a body under that shirt
I suspect that the woman is hiding her good figure under her shirt.
But all she wants to do is rub my face in the dirt
The woman is trying to humiliate me by making me feel inferior.
'Cause I can't dance
I cannot do a particular activity, such as dancing.
Oh and checking everything is in place
I am examining everything to make sure everything is in order.
You never know who's lookin' on
I am always wary of the possibility that people are observing my actions from afar.
Young punk spillin' beer on my shoes
A young, disrespectful person is splashing my shoes with beer.
Fat guy's talkin' to me tryin' to steal my blues
An overweight man is chatting with me in an attempt to make me feel sad and down.
Thick smoke, see her smiling through
Smoke is filling the air, but I am able to see the woman smirking at me.
I never thought so much could happen just shootin' pool
I am surprised at the number of events that occurred while I was simply playing pool.
No, no, no, I can't dance
I am reiterating the fact that I am not able to engage in the activity of dancing.
No, I said, I can't sing
I am reaffirming my inability to create musical sounds with my voice.
Lyrics Β© CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Anthony Banks, Michael Rutherford, Phil Collins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Amish_Ezekiel
Lyrics
Hot sun beating down
Burning my feet just walking around.
Hot sun making me sweat
'Gators getting close, hasn't got me yet
I can't dance, I can't talk.
The only thing about me is the way I walk.
I can't dance, I can't sing
I'm just standing here selling everything.
Blue jeans sitting on the beach,
Her dog's talking to me, but she's out of reach.
She's got a body under that shirt,
But all she wants to do is rub my face in the dirt.
Cause, I can't dance, I can't talk.
The only thing about me is the way I walk.
No, I can't dance, I can't sing
I'm just standing here selling.
And checking everything is in place,
You never know who's looking on.
Young punk spilling beer on my shoes,
Fat guy's talking to me trying to steal my blues.
Thick smoke, see her smiling through.
I never thought so much could happen just shooting pool.
But I can't dance, I can't talk.
The only thing about me is the way I walk.
I can't dance, I can't sing
I'm just standing here selling
And checking everything is in place
You never know who's looking on
A perfect body with a perfect face
@57thorns
This is how a music video is done. With humor, relevance to the lyrics. And a great beat.
@Jovocale
β¦I agreeβ¦and so entertaining without being vulgar!!
@IDeronME
There's something I love about the irony of belting out the line "I can't sing" perfectly
@burkhardraum1956
I agree, cheers from Cologne ππ·π·ππ©πͺ
@estilkind
If Phil Collins is retiring this year, like the news says, he's a legend and I'm glad that we had the chance to hear him throughout all of his different musical styles.
@thefirstofthelastones8952
Agree because just like other musicians he makes music and songs that reaches out to you.
@texasgonzo67
Ahmen to both my fellow fans. Rock on. But damnnnn i miss Neil Peart π£
@IAmInfinitus208
Gotta love the brits' tongue in cheek humor! Phil's definitely strong with his love of Motown too especially!
@chriswright8114
even if it weren't true, he's still a legend
@bird20040
β@@texasgonzo67 I miss entwistle