Change Partners
Johnny Howard & His Orchestra Lyrics
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You have danced with him since the music began.
Won't you change partners and dance with me?
Must you dance quite so close with your lips touching his face?
Can't you see
I'm longing to be in his place?
Won't you change partners and dance with me?
While you're alone,
I'll tell the waiter to tell
Him he's wanted on the telephone.
You've been locked in his arms ever since heaven knows when.
Won't you change partners and then,
You may never want to change partners again.
The lyrics to Johnny Howard & His Orchestra's song Change Partners seem to be exploring the theme of envy, romantic longing, and competition for the affections of a partner, and encourage the partner to switch dance partners. The song's protagonist desires to dance with his partner, who has been dancing with the same man all night. He implores her to change partners and dance with him, longing to be the one by her side. Throughout the lyrics, he presents arguments to convince her to change partners, citing how close she dances with her current partner and the desire to be in his place.
The singer takes action to make this a reality by asking the man to sit out for one dance and telling the waiter to relay the message that he has a phone call. The repeated request for the partner to switch partners and dance with him cements how strong his desire is. However, towards the end of the song, the singer acknowledges that after changing partners, she might not want to switch back again.
Overall, the lyrics express the desire to dance with a specific person and the difficulties that come with vying for someone's affections. The singer, however, remains persistent and tries to take on the current partner by taking action and trying to convince the partner to change partners.
Line by Line Meaning
Must you dance every dance with the same fortunate man?
Do you feel obligated to only dance with him for every song?
You have danced with him since the music began.
You've been dancing with him since the very start of the event.
Won't you change partners and dance with me?
Would you consider dancing with me instead?
Must you dance quite so close with your lips touching his face?
Do you have to dance in such an intimate way with him?
Can't you see I'm longing to be in his place?
Can you not see that I desire to take his place and dance with you?
Won't you change partners and dance with me?
Would you be willing to switch dance partners with me?
Ask him to sit this one out.
Why don't you ask him to skip this dance?
While you're alone, I'll tell the waiter to tell him he's wanted on the telephone.
I'll ask the waiter to tell him he has a phone call while you and I dance together.
You've been locked in his arms ever since heaven knows when.
You've been dancing intimately with him for a very long time.
Won't you change partners and then, you may never want to change partners again.
If you dance with me instead, you may decide that you never want to dance with him again.
Lyrics © IMAGEM U.S. LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: IRVING BERLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind