By early 1968, Buffalo Springfield had also disintegrated over personal issues, and after aiding in putting together the band’s final album, Stephen Stills found himself unemployed by the summer. He and Crosby began meeting informally and jamming, the results of one encounter in Florida on Crosby’s schooner being the song “Wooden Ships,” composed in collaboration with another guest, Paul Kantner.[2]
Graham Nash had been introduced to Crosby when the Byrds had toured the UK in 1966, and when the Hollies ventured to California in 1968, Nash resumed his acquaintance with Crosby.[3] At a party in July 1968 at Cass Elliot's house, Nash asked Stills and Crosby to repeat their performance of a new song by Stills, “You Don't Have To Cry,” with Nash improvising a second harmony part.[4] The vocals gelled, and the three realized that they had a unique vocal chemistry.
Change Partners
Crosby Stills & Nash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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.
So we change partners
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.
[Chorus]
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.
[Chorus]
The song "Change Partners" by Crosby, Stills & Nash deals with the theme of changing dance partners at a ball. The lyrics present a warning to the ladies in attendance to not get too close to one particular partner, as he will take their defenses and run. The chorus then repeats the phrase "Time to change partners" which serves to reinforce the idea of moving on to a new dance partner.
The second verse offers some insight into the world in which these ladies grew up in - one where they learned how to handle boys at country club dances. They learned to say no and were aware of the other young men waiting in the wings. The lyrics suggest that these ladies were taught to handle themselves with grace and poise.
Overall, the song's message is simple - sometimes it's necessary to change partners, both on and off the dance floor. The lyrics present a cautionary tale to those who might get too invested in one particular partner and encourage the listener to keep their options open.
Line by Line Meaning
All of the ladies attending the ball
All the women who are present in the ballroom
Are requested to gaze in the faces
They are encouraged to observe and pay attention to the people around them
Found on the dance cards
List of preferred dance partners
Please then remember
It's important for you to recall
And don't get to close to one special one
Do not get too intimate with one person
He will take your defenses and run
That individual will take advantage of you and move on
So we change partners
Therefore we switch dance partners
Time to change partners
It's time to change dance partners
You must change partners
You are required to change dance partners
Again
Repeat the process
This is how most of our ladies grew up
The way that most of our women were raised
At the country club dances
At social events held at the country club
They learned how to handle the boys
They acquired the skills to interact with young men
Gently but firmly they learned to say no
They were taught to politely but firmly decline unwanted advances
There were four more young men
There were several other young men present
Who were waiting in the color and the noise
Waiting to interact and engage with the ladies
Please then remember and follow your list
It's crucial to recall and respect the dance card
'Cause the dear things get hurt
Because someone will be heartbroken
And the broken hearts make you feel
And that sorrow can be felt by everyone present
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: STILLS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
John LeBlanc
All of the ladies attending the ball
Are requested to gaze in the faces
Found on the dance cards
Please then remember
And don't get too close to one special one
He will take your defenses and run
So we change partners
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 hard
So we change partners
Time to change partners
You must change partners
Again
Stephanie White
What a beautiful song 🌞⚘
Can't Dance
REAL musicians!!
oreokookie
nice tempo change as well in the chorus.....nice, that waltz tempo really lends itself to the ladies in thier 50's dresses
S Girouard
Another great version of that song. TY so much.
Karen Olson
P
Thundergod129-7307
Considering they are in their '40s here they sound great....
John LeBlanc
All of the ladies attending the ball
Are requested to gaze in the faces
Found on the dance cards
Please then remember
And don't get too close to one special one
He will take your defenses and run
So we change partners
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 hard
So we change partners
Time to change partners
You must change partners
Again
Joop Schmets
One of my favorite songs. Great voices
Steven Graham
Good song, great voices, but for fellas who spend a ton of time in the studio for a perfect acoustic guitar sound, their live acoustic guitars usually sound cheap and I know that they are not. Perhaps they should take a look at what James Taylor does for his on stage acoustic guitar sound that is always perfect.
Roz Britton
My 2nd favorite next to Suite Judy Blue Eyes