Let Yourself Go
Fred Astaire; Johnny Green Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As you listen to them play dont you get a glow?
If you step out on the floor
You'll forget your trouble
If you go into your dance
You'll forget your woe
So
Get together
Let the dance floor feel your leather
Step as lightly as a feather
Let yourself go
Come
Hit the timber
Loosen up and start to limber
Cant you hear that hot marimba?
Let yourself go
Let yourself go
Relax
And let yourself go
Relax
You've got yourself tied up in a knot
The night is cold but the musics hot
So
Come
Cuddle closer
Don't you dare to answer no, sir
Butcher, banker, clerk and grocer
Let yourself go
The lyrics of Let Yourself Go are an invitation to the listener to immerse themselves in the music and let go of their troubles. The reference to getting a bubble and a glow as you listen to the band plays into the idea of being transported into another world by the music. The listener is then encouraged to get up and dance, to step onto the dance floor and forget their worries. The repetition of "let yourself go" is a mantra that encourages the listener to relax and surrender to the rhythm.
The second stanza of the song continues the theme of letting go and enjoying the music. The listener is encouraged to hit the timber, to loosen up and limber up. The reference to the hot marimba adds to the visual and atmospheric elements of the song. The line "Let yourself go" is repeated again, emphasizing the idea of surrendering to the music. The next two lines encourage the listener to relax and let go of their knots.
The final stanza of the song encourages the listener to get closer, to get up and dance. The reference to the butcher, banker, clerk and grocer shows that the invitation to let go and dance is for everyone, regardless of profession or status. The repetition of "Let yourself go" in this stanza is a final push to get the listener to surrender to the music and let themselves be carried away by the rhythm.
Line by Line Meaning
As you listen to the band dont you get a bubble?
Doesn't the band's music make you feel excited and buoyant?
As you listen to them play dont you get a glow?
Don't you feel a warm, happy sensation as you listen to their music?
If you step out on the floor
You'll forget your trouble
Dancing can make you forget your problems and worries.
If you go into your dance
You'll forget your woe
Dancing is a great way to escape and forget about your troubles.
Come
Get together
Let the dance floor feel your leather
Step as lightly as a feather
Let yourself go
Join us, let the dance floor feel your moves and step lightly as if you were a feather.
Come
Hit the timber
Loosen up and start to limber
Cant you hear that hot marimba?
Let yourself go
Come dance to the beat of the timber, loosen up your muscles and move your feet. Can't you hear how the marimba sounds hot? Let yourself go.
Let yourself go
Relax
And let yourself go
Relax
You've got yourself tied up in a knot
The night is cold but the musics hot
So
Let yourself relax and fully immerse into dance. Don't let your worries hold you back. Even though the night is chilly, the music is hot, so enjoy it.
Come
Cuddle closer
Don't you dare to answer no, sir
Butcher, banker, clerk and grocer
Let yourself go
Come closer and dance with us, don't refuse. No matter who you are: a butcher or a banker, a clerk or a grocer, let yourself go and enjoy the dance.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: IRVING BERLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind