During her long career, she made a total of 73 films, and is noted for her role as Fred Astaire's romantic interest and dancing partner in a series of ten Hollywood musical films that revolutionized the genre. She also achieved success in a variety of film roles, and won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in Kitty Foyle (1940).
She ranks #14 on the list of AFI's 100 Years... 100 Stars.
Let Yourself Go
Ginger Rogers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As you listen to them play don't 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
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
Can't 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 music's hot
So
Come, cuddle closer
Don't you dare to answer "No, sir"
Butcher, banker, clerk and grocer
Let yourself go
Come, 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
Can't 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 music's hot
So
Come, cuddle closer
Don't you dare to answer "No, sir"
Butcher, banker, clerk and grocer
Let yourself go
Let yourself go
The lyrics of Ginger Rogers's Let Yourself Go encourages listeners to free themselves from their troubles through dance. The lyrics ask, "As you listen to the band don't you get a bubble?" The song acknowledges the hypnotizing effect of music, and how it inspires joy and energy in its listeners. Ginger's lyrics suggest that listeners should immerse themselves in dance to forget about their worries. The repetition of "let yourself go, relax," is a reminder for listeners to release their anxieties and enjoy the moment through dance.
Ginger's lyrics encourage unity, as well. In the lines, "Butcher, banker, clerk, and grocer, let yourself go," the lyrics imply that everyone can participate in the joy of dance, regardless of their occupation or social status. The lyrics reiterate that listeners should be enveloped by the music and join the communal celebration of life through dance.
Line by Line Meaning
As you listen to the band don't you get a bubble?
Do you not feel an overwhelming excitement bubble up inside of you when you listen to the band play their music?
As you listen to them play don't you get a glow?
Do you not feel a sense of warmth and happiness inside of you when you listen to the band play their music?
If you step out on the floor You'll forget your trouble
If you start dancing on the floor, you will forget all of the problems and worries that are weighing you down.
If you go into your dance You'll forget your woe
If you really start dancing with all your heart, you will forget all of your emotional pains and sorrows that you might be experiencing.
Come, get together Let the dance floor feel your leather
Come join us and dance together letting your feet feel the sensation of your shoes.
Step as lightly as a feather Let yourself go
Step on the dance floor with ease and let your body follow the rhythm of the music.
Come, hit the timber Loosen up and start to limber
Come, and let the music of the band reach deep inside you, making you loose and limber.
Can't you hear that hot marimba? Let yourself go
Can't you hear that marimba playing such a hot tune? Let your body go and have fun dancing to that music.
Let yourself go, relax And let yourself go, relax You've got yourself tied up in a knot The night is cold but the music's hot
Relax, and let the music take over you. You might be worried about something, but that's tying you up like a knot, let go of it and get lost in the music. Even though the night may be cold, don't forget that the music is hot and making you warm inside.
Come, cuddle closer Don't you dare to answer 'No, sir' Butcher, banker, clerk and grocer Let yourself go
Come closer, and don't turn us down. It doesn't matter who you are - a butcher, a banker, a clerk or grocer, all that matters is that you dance and let yourself go.
Let yourself go Come, get yourself in the know
Let yourself forget all your worries and let yourself go into the fun of dancing. Come join us and get yourself into the know of how beautiful it is to enjoy life and music altogether.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: IRVING BERLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dakota Craft
As you listen to the band don't you get a bubble?
As you listen to them play don't 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:
Come, 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
Can't 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 music's hot
So
Come, cuddle closer
Don't you dare to answer "No, sir"
Butcher, banker, clerk and grocer
Let yourself go
Lyrics for anyone who’d love to know 💜
fred c dobbs
This is one of my favorite Irving Berlin songs. It's a pity you won't hear songs like this anymore.
Juliaflo
It's a pity people don't write songs like this anymore.
Walter Van der Wahl
Thank you for posting this. Ginger was exquisite & delectable to say the least. Betty Grable and Lucille Ball were gorgeous and fine. What a rare treat. I wish the younger generation (20's & 30's somethings ) would see these films. Fred & Ginger are simply untouchable.
sugarfalls1
Great movie - great singing - Ginger Rogers had so much talent! Such a great dancer!! Love her movies!!
smurfswacker
Not only a first-rate performance from Ginger, but a fine back up from that anonymous trio. I've always liked this song; it's perfect for Ginger's voice.
barry parker
I always get a kick out of seeing that trio with young Betty Grable in the middle - she had no idea what a big big star she would be shortly thereafter.
john lee
In her early 20's, there was nobody prettier than Ginger Rogers!
Leaf Hopper
The whole chorus line is at least as gorgeous as her.🙄
michael jackson
Her singing didn't matter to the studio, she had star quality.
vuio licum
These two are outstanding but I think Ginger was the better overall and she is just such a real gem. It would be great to be able to talk to her. Thank goodness someone made this available.