Dancing Nancies
Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds Lyrics


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Could I have been
A parking lot attendant
Could I have been
A millionaire in Bel Air
Could I have been lost somewhere in Paris
Could I have been
Your little brother
Could I have been
Anyone other than me
Could I have been
Anyone other than me
Could I have been
Anyone other than me
Could I have been
Anyone

He stands touch his hair his shoes untied
Tongue gaping stare
Could I have been a magnet for money?
Could I have been anyone other than me?

Twenty three and so tired of life
Such a shame to throw it all away
The images grow darker still
Could I have been anyone other than me? Then I

Look up at the sky
My mouth is open wide, lick and taste
What's the use in worrying, what's the use in hurrying
Turn, turn we almost become dizzy

I am who I am who I am who am I
Requesting some enlightenment
Could I have been anyone other than me?

Sing and dance I'll play for you tonight
And thrill at it all
Dark clouds may hang on me sometimes
But I'll work it out then I

Look up at the sky
My mouth is open wide, lick and taste
What's the use in worrying, what's the use in hurrying
Turn, turn we almost become dizzy

Falling out of a world of lies




Could I have been dancing Nancy
Could I have been anyone other than me?

Overall Meaning

The song Dancing Nancies explores the idea of self-identity and whether or not one could be anyone other than themselves. The opening verse presents a series of hypothetical scenarios in which the singer wonders if they could have been someone else, such as a parking lot attendant, a millionaire, or someone lost in Paris. The repetition of the phrase "could I have been" emphasizes the singer's longing to know what life would be like if things were different. The singer even questions if they could have been someone else's little brother, indicating a desire for a different family dynamic or upbringing.


In the second verse, the singer observes a man who seems lost and disconnected from the world around him. The image of the man touching his hair and having his shoes untied suggests a lack of attention or care for his appearance, or perhaps a disregard for societal norms altogether. The singer wonders if they could have been a "magnet for money," suggesting a desire for financial stability or success. But ultimately, the song circles back to the question of whether the singer could have been anyone other than themselves.


The final verse is more hopeful, with the singer proclaiming that they are who they are, even if they sometimes struggle. The line "falling out of a world of lies" implies a desire to break free from societal expectations or pressures to be someone else. The mention of "dancing Nancy" is somewhat enigmatic, but could be interpreted as a metaphor for finding joy and freedom in being oneself.


Line by Line Meaning

Could I have been
Expresses a sense of curiosity and imagination, wondering what life would have been like if he had made different choices or had different circumstances.


A parking lot attendant
Imagining himself in a humble and modest job, perhaps feeling a sense of contentment or nostalgia for simpler times.


A millionaire in Bel Air
Dreaming of a life of luxury and wealth, imagining himself in a different social class surrounded by material comforts.


Lost somewhere in Paris
Picturing himself in a foreign and romantic place, wondering what life would be like if he had taken a different path and ended up there.


Your little brother
Feeling a sense of fondness and admiration for someone else, wondering what it would be like to be in their shoes and have their experiences.


Anyone other than me
Questioning his sense of self and identity, wondering if he could have been a completely different person if circumstances had been different.


He stands touch his hair his shoes untied
Describing a physical gesture, possibly signaling nervousness or anxiety, or simply painting a vivid picture of the scene.


Tongue gaping stare
Describing a facial expression, possibly indicating surprise or shock, or simply painting a vivid picture of the scene.


Could I have been a magnet for money?
Imagining himself as someone who is constantly attracting wealth and abundance, possibly expressing frustration with his current financial situation.


Twenty three and so tired of life
Expressing a sense of weariness or disillusionment with life, possibly feeling like he has not achieved enough at a young age.


Such a shame to throw it all away
Expressing regret or disappointment in himself, possibly feeling like he has wasted opportunities or not lived up to his potential.


The images grow darker still
Describing a change in mood or tone, possibly indicating a sense of pessimism or sadness.


Look up at the sky
Invites the listener to take a moment to appreciate the beauty and wonder of the natural world.


My mouth is open wide, lick and taste
Describing a sensory experience, possibly indicating a desire to fully immerse himself in the present moment and savor every aspect of it.


What's the use in worrying, what's the use in hurrying
Asking a rhetorical question about the futility of stress or anxiety, possibly expressing a desire to live more in the moment and enjoy life.


Turn, turn we almost become dizzy
Describing a physical sensation, possibly indicating a feeling of joy or excitement, or simply painting a vivid picture of the scene.


I am who I am who I am who am I
Expresses an existential question about the nature of identity and self, possibly indicating a sense of confusion or introspection.


Requesting some enlightenment
Expressing a desire for answers or clarity about a particular issue, possibly indicating a sense of curiosity or frustration.


Sing and dance I'll play for you tonight
Offering a joyful and celebratory gesture, possibly indicating a desire to connect with others and bring happiness to the world.


And thrill at it all
Expressing a sense of excitement or anticipation, possibly indicating a love of adventure and new experiences.


Dark clouds may hang on me sometimes
Acknowledging the existence of difficult or challenging experiences, possibly indicating a sense of resilience or perseverance.


But I'll work it out then I
Expressing confidence in his ability to overcome obstacles, possibly indicating a sense of determination or optimism.


Falling out of a world of lies
Describing a dramatic change in circumstances or perspective, possibly indicating a desire for truth or authenticity.


Could I have been dancing Nancy
Imagining himself in a specific character or situation, possibly expressing a desire to escape from his current reality.


Could I have been anyone other than me?
Repeating the central question of the song, possibly indicating a continued sense of curiosity or introspection.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID JOHN MATTHEWS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@RodrigoTeixeirasCosmos

"Dancing Nancies"

Could I have been
A parking lot attendant
Could I have been
A millionaire in Bel Air
Could I have been
Lost Somewhere in Paris
Could I have been
You're little brother
Could I have been
Anyone other than me
Could I have been
Anyone other than me
Could I have been
Anyone

He stands touch his hair his shoes untied
Tongue gaping stare
Could I have been a magnet for money?
Could have been anyone other than me?
Twenty three and so tired of life
Such a shame to throw it all away
The images grow darker still
Could I have been anyone other than me?

Then I look up at the sky
My mouth is open wide lick and taste
What's the use in worrying, what's the use in hurrying
Turn turn we almost become dizzy

I am who I am who I am well who am I
Requesting some enlightenment
Could I have been anyone other than me
And then I'll

Sing and dance
I'll play for you tonight
The thrill of it all
Dark clouds may hang on me sometimes
But I'll work it out
And then I
Look up at the sky
My mouth is open wide lick and taste
What's the use in worrying, what's the use in hurrying
Turn turn we almost become dizzy

Falling out of a world of lies
Could I have been a dancing Nancy a dancing Nancy
Could I have been anyone other than me?



All comments from YouTube:

@troysmith9401

When time machines are a thing, this is my first stop. No question.
Front row at this show would have me in tears.
Dave & Tim are the best acoustic duo of all time.

@henriquemitt8044

Honestly, give me the last row and I would be in tears.

@josephabdo6664

no doubt!

@number1cabdriveriniowacity736

I had aisle seats, ten rows back for these guys in Phoenix. I’d seen the band and Live from Luther College had just come out. I paid $200 a seat and that was in ‘99. It was top three in my concert lifetime.

@ryanbuko

I’m lookin up at the sky at 6:18! One of the best shows I was lucky enough to attend. Pretty cool I made the edit!

@dreamhead9828

this performance will always give me chills

@brammurti

When talents and creativity is performed with passion and honesty, an outstanding breath-taking and mesmerizing show like this is what you're gonna get.

@JordinE1996

Good God...the things Tim can do with an acoustic guitar. Chilling❤️

@beefraz9510

The look and groove of 3:44 is awesome. Tim just gives that look and Dave is just rocking it. This concert is one for the ages.

@jillfred57

Illinois hemp farmers for Trump

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