Written and produced by Grant it was the most successful of his solo singles in the UK and his first number one since Baby Come Back by The Equals in 1968.
"I Don't Wanna Dance" was covered by grindcore band Anal Cunt in 1993 on their album "Morbid Florist" and by the Belgian jazzy pop band Lady Linn and her Magnificent Seven in 2008.
I Don't Wanna Dance
Eddy Grant Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dance with you baby no more
I'll never do something to hurt you, though
Oh but the feeling is bad
The feeling is bad
I love your personality
But I don't want our love on show
Girl the way you go
With all of the guys on the corner
Oh baby, you're the latest trick
Oh, you seem to have their number
Look they're dancing still
I don't want to dance
Dance with you baby no more
I'll never do something to hurt you, though
Oh but the feeling is bad
The feeling is bad
Baby now the party's over
For us, so I'll be on my way
Now that the things which moved me
Are standing still
I know it's only superstition
Baby, but I won't look back
Even though I feel your music
Baby that is that
I don't want to dance
Dance with you baby no more
I'll never do something to hurt you, though
Oh but the feeling is bad
The feeling is bad
Don't want to dance
Don't want to dance
Don't want to dance
Don't want to dance
Don't want to dance
Don't want to dance
Don't want to dance
I don't want to dance
Dance with you baby no more
I'll never do something to hurt you, though
Oh but the feeling is bad
The feeling is bad
In Eddy Grant's song, "I don't want to dance," the lyrics depict a conflicted relationship between two people. The singer is breaking up with his partner because he doesn't want to participate in the party lifestyle anymore. He loves her personality, but he can't handle the attention she receives from other guys at social gatherings. He states that he will never do anything to hurt her but that the feeling of being in this relationship is bad. He decides that the party is over and leaves her, even though he feels her music; hence, he is unable to look back.
The song's meaning is a reflection of the era when it was written, a time when dancing and partying were prevalent. The '80s marked a time of greater economic prosperity, and the youth of the time were indulging in hedonism. By breaking up with his partner, the singer of the song is trying to transcend this carefree attitude and better focus on his future.
In conclusion, although "I don't want to dance" seems like a simple love song, it has an underlying message about the generation gap between the hedonistic '80s and a call to live a simpler, more authentic life. The song's lyrics tell a story of a partner trying to get away from the music and dancing that defined the youth culture of the time.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't want to dance
I do not wish to dance with you.
Dance with you baby no more
I do not want to dance with you anymore, my dear.
I'll never do something to hurt you, though
I assure you I will never do anything to cause you pain, regardless of the situation.
Oh but the feeling is bad
However, I cannot ignore this unpleasant feeling in my gut.
The feeling is bad
This feeling is terrible and not one I would like to experience.
I love your personality
I appreciate your character and values.
But I don't want our love on show
I do not wish for our love to be displayed openly in public.
Sometimes I think it's insanity
At times, I believe that this situation is foolish and irrational.
Girl the way you go
The way you act, my dear.
With all of the guys on the corner
You seem to be involved with many other men on the street corner.
Oh baby, you're the latest trick
You're the most recent and newest thing people are involved with.
Oh, you seem to have their number
You possess a deep understanding of their behavior and tendencies.
Look they're dancing still
They continue to dance even as we speak.
Baby now the party's over
The party is now finished, my dear.
For us, so I'll be on my way
This includes both of us so I will make my exit.
Now that the things which moved me
The things that excited or enticed me previously.
Are standing still
These things that moved me have now become stagnant or still.
I know it's only superstition
I am aware that this belief may be irrational.
Baby, but I won't look back
My dear, I will not look back and dwell on the past.
Even though I feel your music
Although I hear your music and understand your message.
Baby that is that
That is the situation or answer, my dear.
Don't want to dance
I do not wish to dance.
Don't want to dance
I do not wish to dance.
Don't want to dance
I do not wish to dance.
Don't want to dance
I do not wish to dance.
Don't want to dance
I do not wish to dance.
Don't want to dance
I do not wish to dance.
Don't want to dance
I do not wish to dance.
I don't want to dance
I do not wish to dance with you.
Dance with you baby no more
I do not want to dance with you anymore, my dear.
I'll never do something to hurt you, though
I assure you I will never do anything to cause you pain, regardless of the situation.
Oh but the feeling is bad
However, I cannot ignore this unpleasant feeling in my gut.
The feeling is bad
This feeling is terrible and not one I would like to experience.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Eddy Grant
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@litealotu8633
Who is here in 2024 ?
@bodyfitnessguillaume5810
Me ❤
@ankitagail
Me🎉
@AvicSubfusca
Hell yeah!!! Classic never goes out of style!!!
@gemaprietomolina7470
Me
@pig_wrestler
muggins here
@dreffizzy3847
Who is here in 2021 just to listen to this... Thanks Eddy
@dariuszgaat5771
Me
@h1ghq108
Me too!
@Unknown-nt7bg
Me toooo