I Can't Dance
Bob Howard & His Orchestra Lyrics


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Our romance won't end on a sorrowful note,
Though by tomorrow you're gone;
The song is ended, but as the songwriter wrote,
The melody lingers on.
They may take you from me, I'll miss your fond caress.
But though they take you from me, I'll still possess.

The way you wear your hat
The way you sip your tea
The memory of all that
No, no, they can't take that away from me

The way your smile just beams
The way you sing off key
The way you haunt my dreams
No, no, they can't take that away from me

We may never, never meet again
On the bumpy road to love
Still, I'll always, always keep the memory of

The way you hold your knife
The way we danced till three
The way you changed my life
No, no, they can't take that away from me
No, they can't take that away from me

We may never, never meet again
On the bumpy road to love
Still, I'll always, always keep the memory of

The way you hold your knife
The way we danced till three
The way you changed my life
No, no, they can't take that away from me
No, they can't take that away




Can't take that away
Can't take that away from me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "I Can't Dance" by Bob Howard & His Orchestra convey a bittersweet tone of longing for a lost love. The song opens with the acknowledgment that the romance will come to an end, but the singer refuses to let it end on a sorrowful note. Although the person they love will be gone by tomorrow, the memory of their time together will remain. The lyrics suggest that even when someone is physically taken away, the emotional connection and cherished moments cannot be erased.


The first verse highlights the sentimental value and nostalgia attached to the relationship. The singer mentions specific details that bring back memories: the way the person wears their hat, sips tea, and the general impression they leave. These small gestures and characteristics become precious and unforgettable, symbolizing the lasting impact the person has made on the singer's life. The lyrics emphasize that nobody can take away these cherished memories.


The second verse continues to reinforce the sentimentality and emotional attachment. The singer expresses how the person's smile, even if it is slightly off-key when they sing, has a profound effect on them. The person appears in the singer's dreams, causing them to linger in their thoughts. These intimate and personal moments are deemed invaluable, and the lyrics assert that nobody can take them away.


The bridge addresses the potential reality that the couple may never meet again and suggests that their journey towards love was not easy. However, despite this uncertainty, the singer promises always to preserve and treasure the memories they shared. The line "the way you hold your knife" suggests that even mundane activities and habits become significant when associated with the person they love. The lyrics conclude by reaffirming that these memories and the impact the person had on the singer's life cannot be taken away.


Overall, "I Can't Dance" encapsulates the emotional turmoil and longing for a lost love. It expresses the indelible mark that a person leaves on our lives and the treasured memories we hold onto, even when they are no longer physically present. The lyrics evoke a sense of longing and nostalgia while underscoring the emotional power of personal connections.


Line by Line Meaning

Our romance won't end on a sorrowful note,
Our love story will not end sadly.


Though by tomorrow you're gone;
Even though you will be gone by tomorrow;


The song is ended, but as the songwriter wrote,
The music may have stopped, but as the songwriter intended,


The melody lingers on.
The beautiful tune continues to resonate.


They may take you from me, I'll miss your fond caress.
Even if they separate us, I will yearn for your loving touch.


But though they take you from me, I'll still possess.
However, even if they take you away, I will still have you in my heart.


The way you wear your hat
The unique style in which you wear your hat


The way you sip your tea
The graceful manner in which you drink your tea


The memory of all that
The recollection of those moments


No, no, they can't take that away from me
No, they cannot strip those memories from me


The way your smile just beams
The radiant glow of your smile


The way you sing off key
The unique way you sing, even if not perfectly


The way you haunt my dreams
The way you remain in my dreams, lingering and captivating


We may never, never meet again
Perhaps we will never have the chance to reunite


On the bumpy road to love
Throughout the challenging journey of love


Still, I'll always, always keep the memory of
Nevertheless, I will forever cherish the memory of


The way you hold your knife
The distinctive way you hold a knife


The way we danced till three
The enchanting moments of dancing until the early hours


The way you changed my life
The profound impact you had on my life


No, no, they can't take that away from me
No, those experiences cannot be taken away from me


No, they can't take that away from me
No, those memories cannot be taken from me


Can't take that away
Cannot rob me of those moments


Can't take that away from me
Cannot separate me from those memories




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, O/B/O DistroKid, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ira Gershwin, George Gershwin

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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