Change Partners
Crosby Still Nash & Young Lyrics
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Are requested to gaze in the faces
Found on the dance cards
Please then remember
And don't get to close to one special one
He will take your defenses and run
Time to change partners
You must change partners
Again
This is how most of our ladies grew up
At the country club dances
They learned how to handle the boys
Gently but firmly they learned to say no
There were four more young men
Who were waiting in the color and the noise
So we change partners
Time to change partners
You must change partners
Again
All of the ladies attending the ball
Are requested to gaze in the faces
Found on the dance cards
Please then remember and follow your list
'Cause the dear things get hurt
And the broken hearts make you feel
So we change partners
Time to change partners
You must change partners
Again
The lyrics to "Change Partners" by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young are poetic and evocative, exploring the idea of shifting romantic alliances and the complexities that come with them. The song is directed at the ladies attending a dance, who are warned not to become too attached to any one partner, as they may end up being hurt. The lyrics suggest that this is a lesson that the women have learned before, as they grew up attending country club dances and learned how to handle boys.
The song is ultimately about the impermanence of love and the need to constantly adapt and change in order to protect oneself. The chorus, "So we change partners, time to change partners, you must change partners again," reinforces this message and acts as a kind of mantra for the song. The message is both bittersweet and empowering, as it suggests that while love may be fleeting, we have the power to protect ourselves and move on.
Overall, "Change Partners" is a melancholy but beautiful song that captures the complexities of love and the resilience of the human spirit.
Line by Line Meaning
All of the ladies attending the ball
Every woman present at the dance event
Are requested to gaze in the faces
Are advised to look at the people they are dancing with
Found on the dance cards
Listed on the cards that show the order of the dances
Please then remember
Remember to follow the rules and guidelines of the event
And don't get to close to one special one
Don't get too attached to one particular person
He will take your defenses and run
That person will use your vulnerability to hurt you
So we change partners
As a result, we switch to different dance partners
Time to change partners
It's time to seek out new people to dance with
You must change partners
It's important to change partners to avoid getting hurt
Again
Repeatedly changing partners is necessary for peace of mind
This is how most of our ladies grew up
Many women learned to dance and socialize at exclusive clubs
At the country club dances
During social dances at private clubs
They learned how to handle the boys
Women learned how to navigate social situations with men
Gently but firmly they learned to say no
Women were taught to reject advances but do so politely
There were four more young men
Many men were available to dance with
Who were waiting in the color and the noise
Many men were present at the dance, providing options
Please then remember and follow your list
Be sure to follow the order of dances on your card
'Cause the dear things get hurt
This is because the women may get hurt if they aren't careful
And the broken hearts make you feel
Having a broken heart is a painful experience
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
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