Irving Berlin (11 May 1888 – 22 September 1989), born Israel Isidore Baline… Read Full Bio ↴Irving Berlin (11 May 1888 – 22 September 1989), born Israel Isidore Baline, in Tyumen, Russia (according to other sources possibly Mogilev, now Belarus), was an American composer and lyricist. He was one of the most prodigious and famous American songwriters in history.

Berlin, who was Jewish, was one of the few Tin Pan Alley/Broadway songwriters who wrote both lyrics and music for his songs. Although he never learned to read music beyond a rudimentary level, he composed over 3,000 songs. Many of his songs, including "God Bless America", "White Christmas", "Alexander's Ragtime Band", and "There's No Business Like Show Business," left an indelible mark on American music and culture. He produced 17 film scores and 21 Broadway scores, in addition to his individual songs.

Follow the Fleet: Let's Face the Music and Dance
Irving Berlin Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

There may be trouble ahead
But while there's music and moonlight (moonlight and music) and love and romance
Let's face the music and dance
Before the fiddlers have fled

Before they ask us to pay the bill, and while we still have THE chance
Let's face the music and dance
Soon, we'll be without the moon

Humming a different tune - and then...

There may be teardrops to shed
So (But) while there's music and moonlight (moonlight and music) and love and romance
(Let's face the music and dance, dance)

(Let's face the music - let's HEAR that music)
Let's face the music and dance

Overall Meaning

Irving Berlin's song "Let's Face The Music And Dance" is a timeless classic, known for its sophisticated lyrics and upbeat melody. The song starts with the lyrics "There may be trouble ahead," setting the tone for an impending sense of conflict. However, the song's message is one of seizing the moment and enjoying life before any misfortunes might occur.

The lyrics convey the idea of finding joy in the moment, even amidst potential difficulties. The phrase "moonlight and music and love and romance" conjures up images of pleasure and happiness, while the line "before they ask us to pay the bill" suggests that everything comes at a price. The repeated refrain "let's face the music and dance" encourages the listener to take action and enjoy themselves while they still can.

Towards the end of the song, the lyrics speak of the inevitability of change - whether it be the loss of moonlight or the shedding of tears. However, the message remains the same - let's face the music and dance, no matter what the circumstance.

Overall, the song's lyrics encourage the listener to live in the moment, embrace life's pleasures, and not let any potential negative outcomes overshadow our enjoyment of the present.

Line by Line Meaning

There may be trouble ahead
We might encounter obstacles in the future.

But while there's music and moonlight (moonlight and music) and love and romance
Despite the trouble, we should enjoy the present moment with music, moonlight and love.

Let's face the music and dance
Let's confront our problems and have fun while doing so.

Before the fiddlers have fled
Let's do it before the musicians leave.

Before they ask us to pay the bill, and while we still have THE chance
Let's do it before we have to face the consequences, and while we can.

Soon, we'll be without the moon
Soon, we won't have the enjoyable atmosphere we have now.

Humming a different tune - and then...
We'll be faced with different music.

There may be teardrops to shed
We might encounter sadness.

So (But) while there's music and moonlight (moonlight and music) and love and romance
Despite the sadness, enjoy the current moment with music, moonlight, and love.

(Let's face the music and dance, dance)
Let's confront our problems and have fun while doing so. (Refrain)

(Let's face the music - let's HEAR that music)
Let's confront our problems and enjoy the music. (Refrain)

Let's face the music and dance
Let's confront our problems and have fun while doing so.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Irving Berlin

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

@joandeluca6846

4y↑76

Can you imagine being in the audience on the set and seeing Fred and Ginger do this dance live? Magical.

@stuartweissman7306

2y↑5

Magical indeed! The music and orchestration were just devine and you cannot use that word to describe today's music, even huge productions.

@waytt19

1y↑3

Yes so Majestic in everyway

@richardgornalle4536

52w↑5

Magnificent. Everything about this is superb ... absolutely thrilling.

@axiomist1076

5y↑71

Ooohhh, that ending, when they throw their heads back !!!! At the movie theatre where I first saw them in New York in 1973, the entire audience yelled and applauded at that point.

@photo161

4y↑11

Yes, it truly is unspeakably sublime!

@catherinemagee5327

3y↑3

Lucky you, seeing these two gems in person!

@katiezee2

2y↑3

Ever since I first saw this on tv many years ago, that dramatic exit offstage has just thrilled me to no end ! I still get goosebumps from it

@lennysmom

33w

Would love to have been there.

@michelkuwahara6334

27w↑1

I'll bet you saw it at Theater 80 Saint Marks, just as I did. I saw all the Fred and Ginger movies there,
back in the 70s. It was wonderful; the audience cheered and applauded after their dance routines!

@user-ms4yg8py2k

1y↑5

Спасибо Создателю,.за такие бриллианты.Пусть он вернутся на Землю снова.🤗

@filmflim

4y↑82

I really needed this today, and I think we could all use a little Fred & Ginger in such difficult and strange times as these.

@julietatorres9039

1y↑2

I wish people would dress up like this again when going out to a dance place, those were truly amazing times, those beautiful evening dresses, just amazing, I can only picture myself looking like that, wow, one can always dream right?

@danshari5975

2y↑13

Mesmerising. Magical. Timeless and eternal. There will never be any other artists like Ginger and Fred! God bless them and may they rest in piece.❤️

@katiezee2

2y↑17

Every single thing about this is just perfect - the dramatic Art Deco set, the wordless interactions, the music of course, and the glorious perfection of the dance. . I know this piece by heart, seen the movie maybe 25 times and this clip many times. . I love the little part at 00:50 where the 2 society girls reject him by turning away and gliding off in unison like elegant swans. Trivia: the blond one is Lucille Ball.

@catherinemagee5327

3y↑7

Ah! Elegance, sophistication, "fine romance", beautiful artistry, stunning, evening wear. Where did it all go?

@stuartweissman7306

2y↑2

sadly, you got that right...

@karac.a.

2y↑11

Thank you for posting this!!! This dance is so beautiful it moves me to tears 🥰

@photo161

39w↑3

... just as it did me moments ago, tears and a deep sob in response to the sheer beauty of this most romantic ever of F & G's great dance numbers.

@joandeluca6846

4y↑24

I had the chills the whole dance. Exquisite.

@BruceWayneOfOz

3y↑9

A Stunning tale in pantomime, music and dance! Perfection!

@andreagiannelli6262

26w↑1

Mesmerising. The way they leave the stage at the end. It's not just dance. It's art deco.

@romanclay1913

3y↑11

05:01 Ginger's translucent dress is the third star in this dance sequence.

@nhmooytis7058

3y↑6

My favorite Fred n Ginger....thank you!

@Juliaflo

1y↑1

You have taste, with a capital T.

@jalalsabbagh6365

25w↑1

The golden Era of Hollywood.

@7dja_youtube

4y↑30

This is the most beautiful scene I 've ever seen!

@dmmchugh3714

2y↑7

My favorite of all the Astaire-Rogers movies. And Irving Berlin was the total master here: songwriting with no equal.
I always envision this gown as gold sequined: stunning.
6:28 - total panache.
Where has the magnificence of Hollywood gone ?

@kathiejoseph33

1y↑1

I think this was the dress they had to be careful of. If she got too close to him, the beaded sleeves hit him in the face.

@angelachristina.v

7y↑53

This should have a million views, thank you for posting!

@Kevin-ro1fo

4y↑5

This is the Don of the golden age of Hollywood screens and music 🎩Top Hat of a dark romancing song Before the hitlers have entered our homes and viral spread 🗣👤👥

@sharongelfand5065

3y↑3

@Kevin Exactly. Berlin foreshadowed the danger and disaster to come.

@richardgornalle4536

52w

Totally agree.

@robertleJaxon4667

4y↑9

Absolutely sublime. And Gingers dress! Tantalisingly see through. Groundbreaking and brilliant.

@rosa7236

3y↑6

Isn't that just Awesome! And that dress weighed 25LBS!

@chattyroz2934

2y↑4

Truly beautiful. It lifts the spirits.

@isabelbarroso3381

29w↑1

There will never be another dance couple like Fred and Ginger.

@mahler58

2y↑4

One of their most beautiful dances, in my opinion. With the (in)famous 'beads' dress.( The beads on the fabric where of course also on the sleeves and Fred used to get hit in his face and eyes during rehearsal)

@whitesoxfan68

2y↑2

Now, I heard that it was during actual filming. They did the take over and over to the point he got a black eye...and in the end, they used the original take. After that, her dresses had short or tapered sleeves for dance numbers in future movies.

@MsIvargas

2y↑2

Their hair is so phenomenal!

@Juliaflo

1y↑4

A little Austerlitz and McMath is what we need now and then, get that?

@windstorm1000

I get it. Their real names good for you. Either way yes we need them

@gill426

31w

Definitely, I love their real names also! ;)

@heavanstomergatroid9825

3y↑4

An absolute classic

@USMC-ParrisIsland

3y↑7

Pure elegance!

@guitarmama06

4y↑11

I absolutely love Fred Astaire! And of course Ginger Rogers his dance partner.
❤😢❤

@lifesaver8833

4y↑4

love this classic movie !! great share

@matthewkuhl79

3y↑3

1:40 that dress twirl was perfect

@Alocin42180

3y↑4

I turn 41 next week - still haven’t found love ...but damn I Love Irving Berlin’s Music

@heavanstomergatroid9825

You should have found love by now you're beautiful

@stuartweissman7306

I'm 70 and cannot wrap my head around it. I married for the first time at 40, had two wonderful sons at 45 /47. Marriage didn't last, but i found amazing love at 58, then almost married at 68 just because we felt that close. Alas nothing is forever, and there is no one way to do life. If this music reaches you, you are no doubt even lovelier on the inside than pretty on the outside...and you're as pretty as a picture. Best to you...

@theodenking7504

4y↑6

Simply breathtaking! Ginger's beauty is mesmerizing.

@julietatorres9039

I always enjoy watching my collection from Fred & Ginger, I like the older movies, Black & White, the older the better, even silent movies are great to watch, Rudolph Valentino's movies, "The Sheik". great movie.

@damianjackson5706

3y↑3

This is the best version

@genehenrylindgren

2y↑3

the first 2 1/2 min are silent. that's art

@petemares8861

2y↑2

Thank you for posting this.

@Fugettaboutit

Probably my favorite of all Fred & Ginger numbers.

This dress with those beads apparently weighed a ton and was exhausting to dance in take after take. It was also whacking Fred in the face with the cuffs and almost bruising it. But all worth it as the visual effect was extraordinary and exquisite.

@juanfarrel1228

4y↑5

The shape of water❤

@rmoore1686

4y↑4

I love this song and the dance. I hope you’ll be able to post more Fred Astaire/ Ginger Rogers movies. I just subscribed to your channel.

@chattyroz2934

5y↑18

I can't see a single cut once they start dancing. I was done in one take.

@vanessakettler9697

5y↑8

Astaire never let them edit his dances. He insisted that all his pieces be filmed without cuts in full body frame. Today editors make cuts every 1-2 seconds. By the way, this clip cuts off the introduction where Astaire, surrounded by a bevy of fabulous beauties including Lucille Ball, gets ostracized by them when he looses at gambling, the reason for his attempted suicide.

@photo161

4y↑1

@Vanessa Kettler--- But in this case, yes it was shot as seen here in one take: the first take!!! Astaire related how they had shot maybe 11 takes and wound up using the first after all. As for the question of editing, they may have shot each dance number from beginning to end, uninterrupted, but that doesn't mean that they didn't edit the number in post-production, which I believe they certainly did.

@laurelhills8233

4y↑3

@eoselan7 Just heard this explained on TCM. The sleeve of Ginger Rogers' beaded dress hit Astaire in the face. The dress weighed 25 lbs and it hurt! They did 20 more takes, I think, but they used the first one anyway.

@photo161

4y↑2

@Vanessa Kettler That is simply not true. I heard him, in an interview with Dick Cavett addressing that very issue when brought up by Cavett where Astaire talked about the miserably difficult time he had with certain props, like a cape or a hat rack and about the numerous takes it took to get those objects to"behave" In fact, in this iconic scene above, Astaire said that they did many takes, but wound up using the first, which was one single take as you mentioned.

@bluesheep6

4y↑1

@eoselan7 I think what Vanessa means is he always strove to film his dances in one continuous shot. Yes, they would shoot a dance sequence over and over again before they were satisfied that it was as close to perfect as possible, but generally each dance is shot in one go and there's usually only 1-2 cuts at most. The very early films with Fred have the camera cutting to all kinds of angles or to reaction shots, or close-ups of his feet, so you don't get to see the dance unbroken. He made sure that stopped happening as soon as he was allowed creative control over how they were filmed - he wanted the entire body visible and for the whole piece to flow without edits.

3 More Replies...

@vestibulate

3y↑1

He's so graceful it's actually disturbing.

@beveydillon1813

4y↑6

I like the part when he lost his money on stage at the table gambling and then he learnt that the women and the wealthy will turn their backs on you. Then he saves a beautiful young lady who might have lost her to and he said let's dance. Love this movie

@romanclay1913

3y↑3

00:51 that's Lucille Ball in the silver dress.

@Ricky0101

4y↑5

I read Gingers bio. She loved the rehearsals. She enjoyed them more than the actual filming. And there was never anything between her and Astaire. His wife always visited the set. Ginger was intimidated by her but was never attracted to him anyway.

@bluesheep6

4y↑3

They did date romantically years earlier, when they were both working on Broadway. She said in her bio that she believed something serious might have come of it if she hadn't moved to Hollywood. By the time they were working together they'd moved on though.

@sharongelfand5065

3y↑3

Irving Berlin's eyes were open. He captured the undercurrent of incipient danger in both his music and lyrics. Brilliant.

@rosa7236

3y↑1

Wow, I had always heard the rehearsals, were killers to her! Her feet bled!

@gill426

31w↑1

Yeah they'd moved on practically but as far as we can tell from the movies and pictures, they didn't necessarily move on emotionally. The various jewellery he gave her is one of those pointers.
It is a bit unusual to make 10 movies with very intimate dances with a woman you used to sleep with, I suppose.
Either way, I think they enjoyed each other's company very much even though they sometimes had fights.

@suuzq35

5y↑14

The woman walking out with the other woman was a blonde haired Lucille ball....

@atlasshrugged7475

NEAT, thanks for pointing that out!

@rosa7236

She was SOOO Glamorous at this point in her career!

@DLSmith93

Yes. And she was at the table when he lost his money.

@maxlinder5262

2y↑2

Lucille ball @ 6:35 .....!!!!!!

@tgrman1

34w↑1

the high point of civilization

@patricemoran7469

3y↑2

Well...maybe Fred's wife Phyllis wasn't around during the rehearsals.

@johnjpjent1

4y↑3

Gesamtkunstwerk ... in under 7x minutes.

@Ronritdds

4y↑2

Absolutely! The music, lyrics, set, costumes, dancing....not a weak link among them.

@Kevin-ro1fo

4y↑4

Before the Hitler! !!!

@pocketstring3634

4y↑1

Cuz he is smoking

@ninahagen1453

God, how many takes did it take! This guy is hopeless. You can tell he understands nothing of what he says. He's even struggling to read the text from the prompter, and the text contains grammatical mistakes. Grammarly, I bet he can't finish a sentence without a script.