Takes Two to Tango
Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hey, baby, how about this dance?
Why?
'Cause it takes two to do this dance

Takes two to tango, two to tango
Two to really get the feeling of romance
Let's do the tango, do the tango
Do the dance of love

You can sail on a ship by yourself
Take a nap or a nip by yourself
You can get into debt on your own
There's a lot of things that you can do alone

But

Takes two to tango, two to tango
Two to really get the feeling of romance
Let's do the tango, do the tango
Do the dance of love

You can stare at the moon by yourself
Take a laugh like a loon by yourself
Spend a lot, go to pot on your own
There's a lot of things that you can do alone

But, listen here

Takes two to tango, two to tango
Two to really get the feeling of romance
Let's do the tango, do the tango
Do the dance of love





Oh, see0

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong's song "Takes Two to Tango" revolve around the idea that it takes two individuals to create a romantic connection. The song suggests that while there are many things one can do alone, when it comes to romance, two people are necessary to bring the full emotional experience to life. The song draws a parallel between the dance of tango and the dance of love, suggesting that just like tango needs two people for it to be fully enjoyed, love needs two people to be truly experienced.


The lyrics first pose the question, "Hey, baby, how about this dance?" which is answered with the explanation, "it takes two to do this dance." This introduces the idea of the song - that two individuals are essential when it comes to creating a romantic connection. The rest of the lyrics expand upon this idea, listing examples of things one can do alone, such as sailing on a ship, staring at the moon, or even getting into debt. But none of these activities compare to the feeling of romance, which "takes two to tango," and "two to really get the feeling."


Overall, the lyrics to "Takes Two to Tango" celebrate the idea of two individuals coming together to create something powerful and emotionally fulfilling, using the metaphor of tango to emphasize the necessity of partnership in creating human connection.


Line by Line Meaning

Hey, baby, how about this dance?
Suggesting a dance to a partner


Why?
Asking why they should dance


'Cause it takes two to do this dance
Acknowledging that the dance requires two partners to participate


Takes two to tango, two to tango
Reiterating that a tango specifically involves two partners


Two to really get the feeling of romance
Emphasizing that dancing with a partner creates a romantic atmosphere


Let's do the tango, do the tango
Encouraging the partner to participate


Do the dance of love
Calling the tango a dance of love


You can sail on a ship by yourself
Listing activities that can be done alone


Take a nap or a nip by yourself


You can get into debt on your own


There's a lot of things that you can do alone


But
Transitioning to an opposing point


Takes two to tango, two to tango
Reiterating that the tango requires a partner


Two to really get the feeling of romance
Emphasizing that dancing with a partner creates a romantic atmosphere


Let's do the tango, do the tango
Encouraging the partner to participate


Do the dance of love
Calling the tango a dance of love


You can stare at the moon by yourself
Listing activities that can be done alone


Take a laugh like a loon by yourself


Spend a lot, go to pot on your own


There's a lot of things that you can do alone


But, listen here
Highlighting the importance of the upcoming statement


Takes two to tango, two to tango
Reiterating that the tango requires a partner


Two to really get the feeling of romance
Emphasizing that dancing with a partner creates a romantic atmosphere


Let's do the tango, do the tango
Encouraging the partner to participate


Do the dance of love
Calling the tango a dance of love


Oh, see
Expressing excitement or anticipation




Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: AL HOFFMAN, DICK MANNING

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Julio Caro

Louis is a genius!! I love the way he sings. I've been in his house at N. York City in Queens. It's a museum.

ELEONORA SONEIRA

One of my favorite memories is listening this song on my grandpas house on a vinyl record

Lia de Russo

It's just so sweet ^.^ I just want to go back to the 1950's, throw on a polka-dotted dress, and dance to Louis :)

mimi bracic

Great song !

Milseogra Celtic: Ceol & Fuaimeanna

Jazz (Africa/Chicago) & Tango ('Eireland/Rio/Argentina) are legends of Sound

Gerome Moerad Singer

I would give my love to be an Armstrong!

bathingatbaxters

i see 8 people tried to press the like button while they were dancing tango

Queen In Italiano

1:56 MI SENTO MALE AHAAHAHHAHAHA

Giulia Rabellino

1:58 "Che cazzo di robe mi dai? ahahahahaha

Nico Agustoni

1:58 "oooh che cazzo de robba me dai!!!
Daje roma

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