Allan Sherman was a pioneer of the comedy-rock scene. Although not much to… Read Full Bio ↴Allan Sherman was a pioneer of the comedy-rock scene. Although not much to look at, the overweight, balding, short, Jewish man gained popularity and became quite the star because of his witty infusion of satirical comedy into very well orchestrated renditions of classic tunes and songs. A song would usually have a lyric, perhaps a name or phrase, that has very little to do with what the original song was about, but the words would sound similar. His albums had nothing to hide, either, as each one was recorded live, and all the laughter, and occasionally a lack thereof, could be heard.

Sherman was just a television producer, most famous for the quiz show "I've Got a Secret," not at all known as a comedian or performer, and it shocked everyone in the know when songs from his album My Son, The Folk Singer became popular. In fact, president John F. Kennedy was heard singing the song Sarah Jackman. Sherman's overnight popularity suddenly ended when the nation's attention focused on Kennedy's assassination, and the nation was too sad for such up-beat musical offerings.

Sherman then slipped back into his longtime depression, and died, quietly, at the young age of 48.

I Can't Dance
Allan Sherman Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I can't dance
I can't dance
Besides, I'm two feet shorter than the girls are
All these dancing parties are just plain dumb
When they asked, I should have said, "I can't come"
There's a girl with braces,
Standing by the punch bowl and she's making funny faces
I guess she wants to dance

I can't dance
I can't dance
Besides I look so awful in these braces
If that boy wants me to dance, I'll just die
I'm so tall, and he's about three feet high
Ever since September,
I've been taking dancing lessons, now I can't remember
How the heck to dance

Pardon me
My name's Jeff
And I don't mind if you are tall and skinny
And those braces on your teeth,
They're real neat
Thank you for the compliment, Gee you're sweet
Your name is Carlotta
I met you last summer when we went to Camp Granada
We oughta try to dance

Right foot first
Left foot next
I think you're suposed to do it to the music
You don't really look so bad, just your ears
When do you take your braces off?
Four more years
By the time your teeth are ready,

I'll be two feet taller, and I'll ask you to go steady
Then we'll dance

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Allan Sherman's "I Can't Dance" depict a young boy who struggles with the idea of dancing because of his height and his braces. He begins by expressing his inability to dance and mentions his short stature as a reason for it. He feels out of place in dancing parties and regrets committing to attend them. However, he notices a girl with braces standing by the punch bowl who seems to want to dance, but like him, she is unsure due to her braces. The boy finds solace in the fact that he is not alone in his discomfort.

The boy introduces himself to the girl, whose name is Carlotta, and compliments her braces. He doesn't mind her tall, skinny frame and urges her to dance with him. He hesitantly helps her with the steps, expressing that he thinks they're supposed to do it to the music. He also questions when she will take her braces off, to which she responds, "Four more years." The boy believes that by the time Carlotta's teeth are ready, he will have grown two feet taller and will ask her to go steady.

Overall, the lyrics convey a message of insecurity, self-doubt, and the fear of inadequacy. However, they also highlight the idea of shared experiences and the possibility of finding someone who understands and accepts these insecurities.

Line by Line Meaning

I can't dance
The singer has no rhythm or coordination

I can't dance
The singer repeats their lack of dancing ability

Besides, I'm two feet shorter than the girls are
The singer lacks confidence due to their height

All these dancing parties are just plain dumb
The artist dislikes social gatherings centered around dancing

When they asked, I should have said, "I can't come"
The artist regrets agreeing to go to the party

There's a girl with braces, Standing by the punch bowl and she's making funny faces I guess she wants to dance
The singer observes a girl they know trying to get someone to dance with her

Besides I look so awful in these braces
The girl with braces lacks confidence in her appearance

If that boy wants me to dance, I'll just die I'm so tall, and he's about three feet high
The girl with braces is nervous to dance with a shorter boy

Ever since September, I've been taking dancing lessons, now I can't remember How the heck to dance
The artist has taken dancing lessons but forgotten how to dance

Pardon me My name's Jeff And I don't mind if you are tall and skinny And those braces on your teeth, They're real neat
Jeff introduces himself and compliments the girl with braces

Thank you for the compliment, Gee you're sweet Your name is Carlotta I met you last summer when we went to Camp Granada We oughta try to dance
Carlotta thanks Jeff and they reminisce about a past encounter, suggesting they dance together

Right foot first Left foot next I think you're supposed to do it to the music You don't really look so bad, just your ears
Jeff guides Carlotta through the steps of dancing and compliments her appearance

When do you take your braces off? Four more years By the time your teeth are ready, I'll be two feet taller, and I'll ask you to go steady Then we'll dance
Jeff teases Carlotta about her braces and hints at a future relationship where they can dance together

Lyrics © GET SONGS DIRECT, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Allan Sherman, Busch Lou

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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