In part because of his expressive phrasing and graceful interpretation, Astaire was chosen to introduce many now-classic songs, including standards by Cole Porter (example, "Night and Day"), his friend Irving Berlin ("Let's Face the Music and Dance"), Jerome Kern ("The Way You Look Tonight"), Johnny Mercer ("One for My Baby") and George and Ira Gershwin ("They Can't Take That Away from Me").
Fred Astaire is interred at Oakwood Memorial Park, Chatsworth, California, USA, the same cemetery where Ginger Rogers, is located. (http://encyclopaediaoftrivia.blogspot.com/2011/09/fred-astaire.html)
I'd Rather Charleston
Fred Astaire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The ways that must be checked
In you I never can detect
The slightest signs of intellect
You're mad on dances, think of the chances you neglect
You never seem inclined to use your mind
And it's quite plain to see
Take a lesson from me
I'd rather Charleston
Charleston?
Think of what you might be
I'd rather Charleston
Charleston?
I'm disappointed in you and your ways
I'm double-jointed
There's no sensation like syncopation
Will you let me know why
I'd rather Charleston
Charleston?
That's the sort of thing I would never do
So, just leave it behind and give your mind to something new
I'd rather Charleston
Oh no
Charleston, Charleston with you
Your way of living soon will soon be giving me a pain
You just repeat that same refrain
You use your feet and not your brain
Something has got you
I don't know what you hope to gain
And after all I've done
It's not much fun to have to have a sister who's
Got her brain in her dancing shoes
So, take a lesson from me
I'd rather Charleston
Charleston?
When you're older you'll see
I'd rather Charleston
Charleston?
The great improvements I looked for in you
I like improvements
It makes you plastic, just like elastic
Say, don't you ever keep cool
I'd rather Charleston
Oh no, that's the sort of thing silly people do
Hey, haven't you read what Lincoln said in sixty-two
Yeah!
Well, what'd he say?
I'd rather Charleston
Oh no
Charleston, Charleston with you
Not me
The lyrics of the song "I'd Rather Charleston" by Fred Astaire reflect his dissatisfaction with his partner's lack of intellectual curiosity and her obsession with dancing. He feels that she neglects important opportunities because of her passion for dance and doesn't use her mind enough. He believes that he is the one who has more intelligence between them and that he is the brains of the family. He encourages her to take a lesson from him and try to broaden her horizons by making room for intellectual pursuits.
The chorus of the song reveals the title phrase "I'd rather Charleston," which is a dance that was popular during the 1920s. It uses the name of the dance to contrast Astaire's desire to dance with his partner's lack of interest in anything other than dance. He doesn't want to give up dancing with her but wants to balance it with an interest in other things.
The song's witty lyrics were penned by George Gershwin to celebrate the dance craze of the Roaring Twenties. The song embodies the spirit of the flapper era when dancing was a popular pastime and young women were often associated with Charleston.
Line by Line Meaning
I've seen for days that you've got
I've noticed for a while now that you possess
The ways that must be checked
Certain aspects of your behavior that need improvement
In you I never can detect
I can't seem to find
The slightest signs of intellect
Any indication of intelligence
You're mad on dances, think of the chances you neglect
You're obsessed with dancing and ignoring opportunities
You never seem inclined to use your mind
You never appear willing to think critically
And it's quite plain to see
It's evident
That I'm the brains of the family
I'm the smart one in our family
Take a lesson from me
Learn from my example
I'd rather Charleston
I'd prefer to do the Charleston dance
Charleston?
Asking if the other person knows what the Charleston dance is
Think of what you might be
Consider the possibilities for yourself
I'm disappointed in you and your ways
I'm let down by your behavior
I'm double-jointed
I have a flexible body
There's no sensation like syncopation
Rhythms that emphasize off-beats are unmatched in feeling
Will you let me know why
Could you tell me why
That's the sort of thing I would never do
I wouldn't typically do something like that
So, just leave it behind and give your mind to something new
Forget about it and focus on something different
Oh no
Expressing disagreement or disappointment
Charleston, Charleston with you
Doing the Charleston dance with you? Not interested.
Your way of living soon will soon be giving me a pain
Your lifestyle will eventually irritate me
You just repeat that same refrain
You keep doing the same thing over and over
You use your feet and not your brain
You rely solely on physical ability instead of thinking
Something has got you
Something is affecting you
I don't know what you hope to gain
I'm not sure what you expect to achieve
And after all I've done
Despite everything I've done
It's not much fun to have to have a sister who's
It's not enjoyable to have a sister who is
Got her brain in her dancing shoes
More focused on dancing than thinking
When you're older you'll see
You'll understand when you're older
The great improvements I looked for in you
The notable changes I hoped to see from you
I like improvements
I appreciate positive changes
It makes you plastic, just like elastic
It makes you more flexible and adaptable
Say, don't you ever keep cool
Hey, don't you ever stay calm
Oh no, that's the sort of thing silly people do
No way, that's what foolish people do
Hey, haven't you read what Lincoln said in sixty-two
Hey, haven't you heard what Lincoln said in 1862
Not me
Not interested
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DESDMOND CARTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lancevigorous
You can't beat the Gershwins.
@sergiotrojer8136
Beautiful, romantic, three great artists
@gw8563
My kind.of music all the way!
@Dylonely42
Wonderful.
@NOSEhow2LIV
One of the wittiest of the Gershwins' (both!) creations and inimitable delivery. Thanks for this cleaned version; it certainly makes it easier to appreciate, even if sounding slightly less "historic!" This recording session sounds like they had lotsa fun.
@lisamuse574
Wow, this remastering SPARKLES! Thank you for all your hard work!!
@jayoungr
Adorable--I didn't know whether to laugh at the infectious humor in the song or cry at the thought of all that wonderfulness never preserved on film! Thank goodness we have the recordings, at least, and thanks for posting this. (And I plan to buy my own copy ASAP, so you've just generated a sale!)
@DavidinCal
Thank you very much for this wonderful recording.
@andrewbarrett1537
I LOVE how Gershwin uses the augmented V7 chord for the cadential turn-arounds when Fred Astaire reacts skeptically to Adele Astaire's desire to Charleston. Hearing that chord under his skeptical "Charleston?!?" is a perfect musical illustration of the skeptically arched eyebrows. But then, of course George and Ira Gershwin were masters at illustrating lyrical moods with appropriate music, and painting an overall picture.
@jonthesYT
And like Weill, without losing the lightness of the song, the fun.