He made his theatrical debut this summer in the film Girl Most Likely, opposite Kristen Wiig, Annett Benning and Matt Dillon. The film follows a semi-successful playwright (Wiig) who fakes a suicide attempt to get her ex-boyfriend’s attention. After her plan is foiled, she moves back to New Jersey with her drug addict mom (Benning). When she returns home, she falls for the younger boy band wannabe Lee (Criss).
Criss is quickly becoming one of the most sought after actors and musicians of his generation. He has gone from YouTube sensation to a six‐time Billboard charting musician and composer, who currently stars as Blaine Anderson on Fox's Emmy and Golden Globe Award‐winning series Glee. Criss made his Broadway debut last January as J. Pierrepont Finch in How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying. With Criss as the leading man, the revival made just under $4 million – the most lucrative three weeks of its 11‐month run.
After making a splash as a guest star on the second season of Glee, Criss was quickly promoted to a series regular. His breakout performance of Katy Perry's “Teenage Dream” in his first episode set a milestone for Glee. The song debuted at #1 on Billboard for the first time in the show’s history and sold over 200,000 tracks in its first week. Criss made his first major television appearance in 2009 as Josh Burton on ABC’s Eastwick, with Rebecca Romijn, Lindsay Price and Jaime Ray Newman, and also appeared in CBS’ Cold Case.
Prior to his television career, the San Francisco native pursued his acting degree at the University of Michigan. In his senior year, Criss and his friends created a Harry Potter musical parody entitled, A Very Potter Musical as a fun project for their classmates, friends and other Harry Potter fans. Along with starring as the boy wizard himself, Criss also lent several of his songs to be used in the show. Within weeks of posting the musical online, it became a YouTube hit, garnering millions of views and musical theater‐world attention.
Using A Very Potter Musical as a springboard, Criss and his writing partners started StarKid Productions. Within a year, they wrote and produced subsequent online hits, Me and My Dick and A Very Potter Sequel, the latter of which he wrote all the music and lyrics for. As a result, the StarKid brand has grown to become just as popular as the shows themselves, spawning an enormous cult following from all over the world. Having established their home base in Chicago, StarKid Productions wrapped their latest original musical comedy with a two‐week sold out run in February 2012. Entitled Starship, Criss was responsible for the music and lyrics.
Criss and StarKid Productions appeared on the Billboard charts through four separate releases – all within the year 2012. These include the #1 spot on Billboard’s Top Cast Album for “Starship,” the #11 spot on Billboard's Top Cast Albums with their cast soundtrack for the original musical “Me and My Dick,” along with the #19 spot on the Top Compilations chart for “A Very StarKid Album,” and the #30 spot on Billboard's Heatseekers chart with Criss’ self‐released EP “Human.” With overwhelming success on the music charts, Criss has defied what many try to achieve under various music genres. “Human” was released as an acoustic collection of 5 original songs, differing greatly from the more Broadway‐esque music found on “Me and My Dick” and the pop‐rock stylings featured on “A Very Starkid Album.”
I Can't Dance
Darren Criss Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't dance anymore
Another night in Paris on someone else's tab
You never had it oh so bad
The Sun comes up too early, the service comes too late
You never had to sit and wait
I'm on display, New York, LA
I want the show, first class, front row
If you put me in the back then I would rather die than go
I can't dance
I can't dance anymore
I can't dance (dance)
I can't dance anymore
Dance anymore, no
You started out in London or was it Belarus?
I know you get the two confused (two confused)
They flew you out to Florence, they didn't send a car
Do they even know who you are?
I wear my fine couture design
If not for sale, I'm unavail'
C'est bon, c'est chic, they kiss my cheek
But as for me, aw, mettre les points sur les I
I can't dance
I can't dance anymore
I can't dance (dance)
I can't dance anymore
Dance anymore, no
I wear my fine couture design
If not for sale, I'm unavail'
C'est bon (c'est bon), c'est chic (c'est chic), they kiss my cheek
I can't dance
I can't dance anymore
I can't dance (I can't dance, no)
I can't dance anymore
I wear (I wear) my fine (my fine) couture (couture) design (design)
I can't dance anymore, no
If not for sale, I'm unavail'
C'est bon, c'est chic, they kiss my cheek
I can't dance
No
The lyrics to Darren Criss's song "I Can't Dance" seem to address the feelings of being disconnected or disengaged from the world of glamour and fame. The singer describes themselves as unable to dance anymore, which could be interpreted as not being able to partake in the superficiality and pretense that often come with being in the spotlight.
The first verse portrays a sense of disillusionment. The mention of Paris and someone else's tab suggests a life of luxury and excess, but the singer expresses feeling unfulfilled and "having it oh so bad." The reference to the Sun coming up too early and the service coming too late implies a dissatisfaction with the rhythm and pace of this extravagant lifestyle. The line "You never had to sit and wait" could mean that the singer has grown tired of waiting for something substantial or genuine to come along.
In the following verse, the singer expresses a desire to be seen and acknowledged. They mention wearing fine couture designs and being on display in cities like New York and LA. The longing for the show, first-class treatment, and a front-row seat suggests a craving for recognition and validation. The line "If you put me in the back then I would rather die than go" emphasizes the importance of being in the spotlight and the rejection of being relegated to a secondary position.
The next verse touches upon the singer's origins and the confusion between London and Belarus, possibly highlighting the superficiality and lack of understanding in the industry they are a part of. The mention of being flown out to Florence without a car suggests a detachment from the realities of life and a lack of personal connection. The question "Do they even know who you are?" implies a feeling of being misunderstood or underestimated.
Overall, the lyrics of "I Can't Dance" convey a sense of disillusionment, disconnection, and longing for authenticity in the midst of a glamorous and superficial lifestyle.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't dance
I am unable to dance
I can't dance anymore
I used to be able to dance, but now I can't
Another night in Paris on someone else's tab
Spending another evening in Paris, but someone else is paying for it
You never had it oh so bad
You have never experienced such a low point in life
The Sun comes up too early, the service comes too late
The sunrise happens too soon, and the service is delayed
You never had to sit and wait
You have never had to endure the waiting game
I wear my fine couture design
I proudly display my high-fashion garments
I'm on display, New York, LA
I am a public spectacle in both New York and Los Angeles
I want the show, first class, front row
I desire to attend the best shows in the first row, with first-class treatment
If you put me in the back then I would rather die than go
If you place me in a less prominent position, I would prefer not to go at all
You started out in London or was it Belarus?
You began your journey in either London or Belarus, but it is unclear
I know you get the two confused (two confused)
I am aware that you often mix up the two places
They flew you out to Florence, they didn't send a car
They arranged for your travel to Florence, but did not provide transportation
Do they even know who you are?
Are they even aware of your identity and significance?
If not for sale, I'm unavail'
If I cannot be purchased, I am not accessible
C'est bon, c'est chic, they kiss my cheek
It is good, it is stylish, they greet me with a kiss on the cheek
But as for me, aw, mettre les points sur les I
But personally, I want to emphasize the details and be precise
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Christopher J. Baran, Darren Criss
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DarrenCriss
“I CAN’T DANCE” OUT NOW - https://DarrenCriss.lnk.to/ICantDance
But sometimes I just can’t help myself. Sung from the perspective of two contrasting caricatures from high fashion society, this funky track is inspired by the finest of grooves popularized in the late 70s and early 80s, and is designed to pick you up so you have nowhere else to get… but down.
@personoftheworld5364
I love you.
@personoftheworld5364
This is a bop
@mariahrosa7586
Dude i love this song
@kingbondoni9994
This is an amazing song 💗
@personoftheworld5364
Third time repeat. I actually can’t with this. When I heard the little bit on your f*kn around livestream I was like “ he better release this because the SASS is something I need in my life” and here I am, 7 hours until I have to get ready for school.
@greenstarhat
darren criss is the kind of guy that can casually say “fuck you” in the classiest way
@golbachsdnf
He is omg
@amfx4
you are so right
@crovel
Darren is so underrated. He is an excellent singer, a great dancer and actor, he writes his own songs, he plays instruments... a complete artist!
We love you darren