I Won't Dance
Blossom Dearie Lyrics

The first verse of the song 'I Won't Dance' by Blossom Dearie lays out the singer's hesitation to dance. The repetition of the line "I won't dance, don't ask me" emphasizes the stubbornness and reluctance the singer feels towards dancing. She goes on to explain that her heart won't allow her feet to do what they should, which suggests that dancing is an action that requires emotional vulnerability. The refusal to dance is not simply a physical choice, but a deliberate effort to avoid emotional intimacy.

In the second verse, the singer acknowledges the charm and loveliness of her dance partner, but emphasizes her own vulnerability and sense of insecurity. The line "I'm like an ocean wave that's bumped on the shore" suggests a lack of control or agency, contrasting with the specific and deliberate movements of dance. The contrast between her partner's effortless dancing and her own sense of being "stumped on the floor" highlights the insecurity and self-doubt that underlies the refusal to dance.

The chorus repeats the line "I won't dance" but adds more context to the singer's feelings. She acknowledges the potential for music and dance to lead to romance, but ultimately decides to avoid this by refusing to dance. The use of French in the final line, "merci beaucoup," adds a touch of humor and flirtation to the song, but the underlying theme of emotional avoidance and self-protection remains.