Born to a large impoverished family, Dion emerged as a teen star in the French-speaking world after her manager and future husband René Angélil mortgaged his home to finance her first record. In 1990, she released the anglophone album Unison, establishing herself as a viable pop artist in North America and other English-speaking areas of the world.
Dion had first gained international recognition in the 1980s by winning both the 1982 Yamaha World Popular Song Festival and the 1988 Eurovision Song Contest.Following a series of French albums in the early 1980s, she signed on to CBS Records Canada in 1986. During the 1990s, with the help of Angélil, she achieved worldwide fame after signing with Epic Records and releasing several English albums along with additional French albums, becoming one of the most successful artists in pop music history. However, in 1999 at the height of her success, Dion announced a temporary retirement from entertainment in order to start a family and spend time with her husband, who had been diagnosed with cancer.She returned to the top of pop music in 2002 and signed a three-year (later extended to almost five years) contract to perform nightly in a five-star theatrical show at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas.
After performing in 25 countries during the Taking Chances World Tour which ended in February 2009 (one year after it began) she took another 2 year hiatus, focusing on expanding her family. After 6 in-vitro tries she gave birth to twin boys Nelson and Eddy in October 2010. In the meantime she announced her return to Vegas, her new show simply named "Céline" premièred on March 15th 2011 to spectacular reviews by media and audience.
Dion's music has been influenced by genres ranging from rock and R&B to gospel and classical. While her releases have often received mixed critical reception, she is renowned for her technically skilled and powerful vocals. Dion is the best selling Canadian artist of all time; and her album D'eux is the best selling francophone album of all time. Dion is regarded as one of pop music's most influential voices. Linda Lister describes Dion as a reigning Queen of Pop for her influence over the record industry during the 1990s. On a cultural level, Dion is credited for introducing francophone music to many non-francophone countries around the globe. Dion is also credited for both revitalizing and revolutionizing the entertainment scene in Las Vegas with the gargantuan successes of her residencies there. She managed to re-popularize the Las Vegas "residency" as a desirable way for top artists to essentially tour in place, letting their fans come to them. Over the years, fellow established icons such as Britney Spears, Elton John, Bette Midler, Rod Stewart, Cher and Shania Twain followed suit.
Refuse to Dance
Céline Dion Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wear your party dress
Maybe I was just an innocent
But I confess
I never even knew the song
The orchestra was playing
See the cuties in their party clothes
Off the shoulder, cut into the hip
Like a uniform
Did you think I'd want to tow the line?
Well, now the line is broken
Refuse to dance (refuse, refuse)
Refuse to dance (refuse, refuse)
Refuse to dance (refuse) (refuse, refuse)
Refuse to dance (refuse, refuse)
You said you're such a pretty thing
You could make a mark
I'll teach you all the steps you'll need
Guide you through the dark
Suddenly, I thought I knew the song
The orchestra was playing
Refuse to dance (refuse, refuse)
Refuse to dance (refuse, refuse)
Refuse to dance (refuse) (refuse, refuse)
Refuse to dance (refuse, refuse)
I'm gonna refuse
Refuse to dance (refuse, refuse)
Refuse to dance (refuse, refuse)
You refuse to dance
Refuse to dance (refuse, refuse)
Refuse to dance (refuse, refuse)
See how they follow
You say jump, they jump
You say turn, they turn
Look back in sorrow
I won't be there, I won't be there
Refuse to dance (refuse, refuse)
Refuse to dance (refuse, refuse)
Refuse to dance (refuse, refuse)
Refuse to dance (refuse, refuse)
Refuse to dance (refuse, refuse)
Refuse to dance (refuse, refuse)
Refuse to dance (refuse, refuse)
Refuse to dance (refuse, refuse)
Refuse to dance (refuse, refuse)
Refuse to dance (refuse, refuse)
Refuse to dance (refuse, refuse)
Refuse to dance (refuse, refuse)
In Celine Dion's song Refuse to Dance, the singer is being asked to dance by someone, and she's not quite sure if she wants to participate. She's received an invitation to the dance, and she's been asked to wear her party dress. Perhaps she was just an innocent bystander, but she confesses that she never even knew the song that the orchestra was playing. As she watches everyone else dressed up in their party clothes, she can feel the temperature rising. The cuties wearing their fashionable attire had caught her attention, and she describes their dresses as uniforms. However, she has no intention of towing the line and being just like everyone else.
The person asking her to dance tells her that she's a pretty thing and could make a mark on the dance floor. He offers to teach her all the necessary steps and guide her through the dark. Suddenly, she thinks she knows the song the orchestra is playing, but she's still uncertain if she wants to dance. She observes how easily the others follow his lead, jumping and turning when he says to. As the song continues, she decides that she won't be there, and she emphatically repeats, "Refuse to dance" four times.
The song's lyrics suggest that Celine Dion's character doesn't want to be like everyone else, and she refuses to fall in line. She's frustrated with the person asking her to dance and his controlling nature. She thinks that everyone else is just following him blindly, and she doesn't want to be a part of that group. The song's message could be interpreted as empowering, encouraging people to stand up for themselves and go against the flow.
Line by Line Meaning
Got your invitation to the dance
I received an invitation to dance party
Wear your party dress
You suggested I wear party dress
Maybe I was just an innocent
Perhaps I was naive or inexperienced
But I confess
Admitting my lack of knowledge or understanding
I never even knew the song
I was unaware of the music being played
The orchestra was playing
A live band was performing music
See the cuties in their party clothes
Observing attractive people in festive attire
Oh, it's getting warm
The event is getting heated or exciting
Off the shoulder, cut into the hip
Describing the style of the party clothes
Like a uniform
The clothing style could be viewed as a uniform
Did you think I'd want to tow the line?
Assuming I would conform to the typical behavior or expectations
Well, now the line is broken
Choosing to deviate from social norms or expectations
Refuse to dance
Deciding to not participate in the dancing
Refuse to dance
Continuing to reject the dancing
Refuse to dance
Persisting in the refusal to dance
Refuse to dance
Continuing to refuse to dance
You said you're such a pretty thing
Commenting on my physical appearance
You could make a mark
Implying that I had potential to make an impression
I'll teach you all the steps you'll need
Offering to instruct me on dance moves
Guide you through the dark
Assuring me that I would receive assistance
Suddenly I thought I knew the song
Gaining insight or understanding of the music
See how they follow
Observing the conformity of others
You say jump, they jump
Commenting on the obedience of others
You say turn, they turn
More commentary on the conformity of others
Look back in sorrow
Reflecting on the missed opportunity to conform
I won't be there
Not participating in the conformity or the event altogether
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Charlie Dore, Danny Schogger
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ColeyGirls
Well said.
From what I get from it, my explanation:
She's being lured in by a man who is a womanizer. At first she is naive "I was just an innocent" I never even knew the song the orchestra was playing "
She then sees who he truly is. He uses other women and now everything is obvious . " You say jump, they jump, you say turn, they turn" "I realized I knew the song the orchestra was playing"
So, "refusing to dance " is essentially refusing to be a part of his "game" and how she's wiser about him now and will not be swept up and then hurt by him.
"Look back in sorrow, I won't be there" She's seen him for who he really is and she won't be a part of it. She won't be in his "dance" of womanizing and hurting her.
@thearchiveofmylife
1995
No.1 ALBUM:
Celine Dion - The Colour Of My Love
23rd years, and this album tops the charts. A double whammy with “Think Twice” as the number one single the same week.
I like the description, which someone else penned, of Celine being the female Michael Bolton. I get that.
She was obviously doing something right but this kind of thing wasn’t for me.
There are songs on here though that I do like. “When I fall In Love” from the film “Sleepless In Seattle “ is good and I like that film.
Most things produced by David Foster I like too .
Flicking through the album brought this track to my attention, which I thought wasn’t too bad.
#mymusicalroadto50
@neynay8730
Seriously underrated song. I was 6 years old when this album came out. It was non stop in my bedroom and in my Walkman. I cant believe how many songs words and exact beats I remember after at least 18 years of not listening to this album. Thank you Celine for the great music throughout all this time. True entertainer 💎 💖
@TxKritters1
Why doesn't this song have more love from folks on here?! One of her top 5 best jams hands down!
@MayCeline
I agree! She needs more fans! Everywhere I go I tell people about her! I love all of her songs! The people in my generation usually only listen to rap. I hope that they will one day realize how awesome Céline is! 🌹❤️
@luciasatina36
No !!! Withney Houston !!
@angieacapella1847
I had this album in college and kept this song on repeat. It was my favorite.❤️
@debed5177
Especially better to dance in the dark room with headphones.. especially when you’re drunk or not 😅… Celine ❤
@karleyklein-SupportCelineDion
Yes love listening to Celine Dion everyday as I am and an ultimate fan have dedicated my YouTube channel to supporting Celine Dion during her recovery
@rachel9767
I always love this song, always. Such an artistry masterpiece❤️
@franciellyruffo
DEFINITIVAMENTE A MELHOR CANTORA DESSE MUNDO! ESSE ÁLBUM NÃO ENVELHECE NUNCA!
@lucasneto8870
Mano, a voz dessa mulher é de outro planeta. Que técnica! Que transição! Que impostação! Que ressonância! Que vibrato! Que respiração! Que emissão! Que agilidade! Que apôio! Que suporte! Que TIMBRE! EXTRAORDINÁRIA.