Tango
Lennie Hayton Lyrics
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Cha-cha happy, but I'm lazy
I don't dig that frantic turpsichord
When I trip the light fantastic
I don't wanna be gymnastic
That's not what a dancing floor is for
With a very minimum amount of movement
Let the other couples push and shove
What I got in mind I think you're gonna love
I got a new-fangled tango
And there's nothing to it
You just sort of stand there
And just sort of do it
You stand close together
There's no wasted motion
A new fangled tango
An old fashioned motion
The floor may be crowded
But that doesn't matter
It's not necessary to move
Don't move, why move
It may be crowded
But that's all the better
It's just like romancing, while dancing
Who's dancin'
You start off with one step
And cling to each other
And you know how one step
Can lead to another
Oh, there's nothing wrong with
A waltz or fandango
But oh, what can come from
A new fangled tango
You cling to your partner
And sway to the rhythm
You can't lose your partner
'Cause you're right there with him
You don't have to be worry
About fast or slow steps
The nice part about it
In this dance, you don't need steps
You don't have to worry
If your dancing won't do
It's not what you do do
It's more what you don't do
You don't need a waltz
Or a fancy fandango
You just need a man
And a new fangled tango
Forget the fandango
Give up the mambo
Do the tango
The lyrics of Lennie Hayton's song "Tango in 2-3" are characterized by a certain degree of irony and humor: the singer declares to be unimpressed by the latest dance crazes of the time, such as the mambo and the cha-cha, which he finds too frenzied and demanding. Instead, he proposes an alternative: the "new-fangled tango", a dance that requires very little movement, and mostly consists of standing close to one's partner and swaying to the rhythm. The lyrics describe this dance as a form of romantic and intimate interaction, where the emphasis is not on flashy steps or acrobatics, but on feeling and connection.
The song can be read as a commentary on the cultural changes that were happening in the United States in the 1950s, with the rise of youth culture and the commodification of popular music and dance. Many people were drawn to the excitement and energy of the new dance styles, which represented a break from the more formal and structured social dances of previous generations. However, there were also voices that expressed skepticism or resistance to this trend, and Lennie Hayton's song can be seen as one of these voices, albeit expressed in a playful and lighthearted manner.
At the same time, the song also celebrates the enduring appeal of the tango, a dance form that has its roots in the working-class neighborhoods of Buenos Aires, and that has become a global symbol of passion and sensuality. By proposing a "new-fangled" version of the tango, the song suggests that this dance can be reinvented and adapted to changing times and tastes, while still retaining its essential character.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody's mambo crazy
Everyone is really into dancing the mambo
Cha-cha happy, but I'm lazy
People seem to be enjoying themselves dancing the cha-cha, but I am feeling lazy
I don't dig that frantic turpsichord
I don't like the frenzied tempo of the music being played with the tupsichord
When I trip the light fantastic
When I dance
I don't wanna be gymnastic
I don't want to have to do acrobatics while dancing
That's not what a dancing floor is for
I believe a dance floor should be for enjoyable, relaxed dancing
What I got in mind is a big improvement
I have an idea for a better way to dance
With a very minimum amount of movement
My idea involves making only small dance movements
Let the other couples push and shove
Other dancers can dance however they want, but I have a different idea
What I got in mind I think you're gonna love
I believe my idea will be enjoyable for you
I got a new-fangled tango
I have come up with a new type of tango dance
And there's nothing to it
It is simple and easy to learn
You just sort of stand there
The dance involves standing close to your partner
And just sort of do it
You move gently and in a relaxed way
You stand close together
The dance involves being physically close to your partner
There's no wasted motion
There are no unnecessary movements in the dance
A new fangled tango
My new dance is called the 'new fangled tango'
An old fashioned motion
The dance has a classic, traditional feel
The floor may be crowded
It doesn't matter if the dance floor is full of people
But that doesn't matter
Being close to your partner is what's important
It's not necessary to move
You don't need to do lots of fancy footwork
Don't move, why move
You don't even need to move much at all
But that's all the better
The crowded conditions make it more romantic
It's just like romancing, while dancing
The dance allows you to be close to your partner in a romantic way
Who's dancin'
All that matters is you and your partner enjoying the dance together
You start off with one step
The dance starts with one simple step
And cling to each other
You hold your partner close as you dance
And you know how one step
One small movement can lead to another
Can lead to another
Movements build on one another organically
Oh, there's nothing wrong with
It's perfectly fine to dance a waltz or fandango
A waltz or fandango
Other types of dances
But oh, what can come from
But the potential for romance from the tango can't be beat
A new fangled tango
My new dance, the 'new fangled tango'
You cling to your partner
The dance requires being physically close with your partner
And sway to the rhythm
The dance involves gentle, swaying movements
You can't lose your partner
You are so closely connected with your partner, you won't bump into anyone else
'Cause you're right there with him
You're right there with your partner
You don't have to be worry
You don't have to worry
About fast or slow steps
The dance is relaxed and doesn't require a specific tempo
The nice part about it
What's good about this dance is
In this dance, you don't need steps
The dance doesn't require lots of steps or fancy footwork
If your dancing won't do
If you're not the best dancer
It's not what you do do
The dance is not about doing fancy moves
It's more what you don't do
What's important is what you don't do
You don't need a waltz
You don't need to dance a waltz
Or a fancy fandango
Or any other fancier type of dance
You just need a man
All you need is a partner
And a new fangled tango
And to dance my new dance, the 'new fangled tango'
Forget the fandango
Stop dancing the fandango
Give up the mambo
Stop dancing the mambo
Do the tango
Come dance my new dance, the 'new fangled tango'
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HAROLD KARR, MATT DUBEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@janettewalker3991
Thanks for a lovely reminder of an old song.
@elcuartetodelamoruruguay7315
incredible