Shall We Dance
Fred Astaire / Ginger Rogers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come on, have your fling
Why keep nursing the blues?
If you want this whole world on a swing
Put on your dancing shoes
Stop wasting time
Put on your dancing shoes
Shall we dance or keep on moping?
Shall we dance and walk on air?
Shall we give in to despair
Or shall we dance with never a care
Life is short, we're growing older
Don't you be an also-ran
You better dance little lady
Dance little man, dance whenever you can
The song "Shall We Dance" by Fred Astaire encourages the listener to shake off their problems and worries and embrace life. The first verse tells the listener to stop feeling down and instead have fun, suggesting that they should put on their dancing shoes and enjoy themselves. The chorus asks whether it's better to keep moping or to dance and forget about their troubles, implying that life is short and it's better to enjoy it while it lasts. The second verse reinforces that idea, saying that life is too brief to waste time feeling sorry for oneself and that everyone should dance whenever they can.
Overall, the song's message is one of optimism and living in the moment. The lyrics encourage the listener to enjoy life, not to worry about the future, and to take advantage of every opportunity to dance and have fun. It's a timeless message that still resonates with listeners today.
Line by Line Meaning
Drop that long face
Stop looking unhappy and depressed
Come on, have your fling
Take the opportunity to enjoy yourself
Why keep nursing the blues?
Why continue to be sad and miserable?
If you want this whole world on a swing
If you want to experience the joy of life fully
Put on your dancing shoes
Get ready to dance
Stop wasting time
Don't spend your time on something unimportant
Put on your dancing shoes
Get ready to dance
Watch your spirits climb
Experience a boost in your mood and energy
Shall we dance or keep on moping?
Should we dance or continue to feel sad?
Shall we dance and walk on air?
Should we dance and feel happy and light?
Shall we give in to despair
Should we allow ourselves to feel hopeless?
Or shall we dance with never a care
Or should we dance without worrying about anything?
Life is short, we're growing older
Life is brief, and we are aging every day
Don't you be an also-ran
Don't get left behind or miss out on something
You better dance little lady
You should dance, my dear lady
Dance little man, dance whenever you can
Dance, gentlemen, whenever you get a chance
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@esmeephillips5888
George Gershwin, acquiring a highbrow cachet after 'Porgy and Bess', had to reassure Radio that 'I am out to write hits.'
The title song was meant to be the big hit of this, his first film score since1931, but it was overshadowed by others. Likewise, the long sequence of which this is the finale was intended to hark back to the epic 'Continental' (first Oscar for Best Song) but was let down by the ludicrous contortions of Harriet Hoctor. The movie could not make up its mind whether to satirise ballet or celebrate it.
The box office was disappointing and critics began to say the partnership was played out. Ginger took a break.
How spoilt the Thirties were. Music by Gershwin, lyrics by Ira. Nat Shilkret bossing the music department. Fred and Hermes Pan as choreographers, and the greatest triple-threat team ever seen to bring it all together. This was the Golconda of popular arts.
Fred is epitomized at 3:00 by the simple move which brings Ginger round behind him and back into his arms for the rapturous reuniting. Elegance is economy. And no smooching at the fadeout!
@osocool1too
What makes this movie special besides Fred and Gingers wonderful dancing, acting and singing, is that George Gershwin unfortunately passed away that year..1937.
This is a real lasting tribute to the geniuses who all helped to put this movie together. 🥇🏆
@anainamerica6807
It's now 12 days til the November 3, 2020 election and I couldn't resist watching this clip even though I have every Astaire/Rogers film on cd (I'm old) and, actually, watching them often over the past four years has helped me cope with the craziness our country has had to endure. I've always found it to be like a much needed vacation to watch a really good movie made in a completely different era, when music, dancing, beautiful sets, and romance were the winning formula for success. It's my favorite "getaway". Thanks Fred and Ginger. You were the very best. God bless you.
@winstonsmith9533
Well, now it's 2021 and I'm watching Fred and Ginger.
@jerrymark1679
George Gershwin is the true Genius!
@lisalazarczyk8426
The genius of Astaire and Rogers and Gershwin’s beautiful music!!!!💖
@esmeephillips5888
The scene is prophetic. Fred is confronted by a baffling array of Ginger lookalikes/wannabes, but only the real one will do. Between 1939 and 1957 Fred would work with a flock of ladies, but none came close to the dramatic and romantic chemistry Ginger could provide.
@lizaelliott6862
The way Fred goes and finds Ginger in the midst of ladies is so romantic. Ugh so romantic. No more beauties like them ever again.
@elviscool9822
Shut up u dnt make sense
@poplarboydavid
Wow!! The orchestral arrangement is brilliant!
@michaeld.mcclish
back in the 70's when I was in NYC auditioning for a chorus part in the upcoming Joe Papp "Pirates of Pensance"(yeah, right, fat chance I would get it) I was sitting in the hallway, and who pops out of a rehearsal room but Ginger Rogers......I couldn't believe it, she was so short and petite, I remember feeling all jittery at seeing her. Looking at this, I still get that butterfly feeling, and also realizing how short Fred was, too! Such a glamorous era of Hollywood musicals.