Stairway To Paradise
Michael Feinstein Lyrics
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Who delight in panning the dancing teachers,
Let me tell you there are a lot of features
Of the dance that carry you through
The gates of Hea-ven.
It's madness
To be always sitting around in sadness,
When you could be learning the steps of gladness.
Just six or seven;
Begin to day!
You'll find it nice,
The quickest way to paradise.
When you practice,
Here's the thing to know,
Simply say as you go
[Chorus]
I'll build a stairway to paradise
With a new step ev'ry day!
I'm gonna get there at any price;
Stand aside, I'm on my way!
I've got the blues
And up above it's so fair.
Shoes! Go on and carry me there!
I'll build a stairway to paradise
With a new step ev'ry day.
Ev'ry new step
Helps a bit; but any old kind of two step,
Does as well. It don't matter what step you step,
If you work it into your soul
You'll get to Heaven.
Get bu-sy;
Dance with Maud the countess, or just plain Lizzy:
Dance until you're blue in the face and dizzy.
When you've learn'd to dance in your sleep
You're sure to win out.
In time you'll get Saint Vitus dance,
Which beats the latest thing from France.
Take no chances on this Paradise;
Let me give you advice.
[Chorus:Repeat x2]
In Michael Feinstein’s song, “I’ll Build A Stairway To Paradise,” the singer addresses preachers who criticize dancing teachers while also advocating for the benefits of dancing. The lyrics assert that the dance can carry one through the gates of heaven and encourage listeners to begin learning the “steps of gladness” to escape a life of sadness. The singer then asks the listener to start dancing today, highlighting the joys of building “a stairway to paradise” with a new step every day. The chorus is a repetition of this idea, with the singer proclaiming that they will do whatever it takes to get to their destination and that dancing is the key to unlocking paradise.
These lyrics are a playful reminder of the importance of joy in life and the ways in which we can actively cultivate our own happiness. The song’s message is that by learning to dance and incorporating this joy into our souls, we will be rewarded in both this life and the next. This is a theme common to many musicals of the early 20th century, which often featured characters who found liberation through the power of song and dance.
Line by Line Meaning
All you preachers
To those who criticize dancing and its teachers
Who delight in panning the dancing teachers,
Who take pleasure in condemning dance instructors
Let me tell you there are a lot of features
There are many positive aspects
Of the dance that carry you through
Of dance that can lead you to
The gates of Hea-ven.
Heaven's entrance.
It's madness
It's foolishness
To be always sitting around in sadness,
To spend one's time in sadness
When you could be learning the steps of gladness.
When you could be learning joyful dance steps
You'll be happy when you can do
You will feel happy once you have mastered
Just six or seven;
Only six or seven dance moves.
Begin to day!
Start today!
You'll find it nice,
You'll enjoy it
The quickest way to paradise.
The fastest route to heaven.
When you practice,
As you practice,
Here's the thing to know,
This is what you need to understand,
Simply say as you go
Just verbalize while you dance
I'll build a stairway to paradise
I will create a path to heaven
With a new step ev'ry day!
By adding a new dance step daily.
I'm gonna get there at any price;
I will arrive at any cost;
Stand aside, I'm on my way!
Get out of my way!
I've got the blues
I'm feeling depressed
And up above it's so fair.
But heaven is peaceful
Shoes! Go on and carry me there!
Shoes! Take me there!
Ev'ry new step
Each new dance move
Helps a bit; but any old kind of two step,
Can be helpful; even a basic dance step,
Does as well. It don't matter what step you step,
It doesn't matter which specific dance step you do,
If you work it into your soul
As long as you internalize it
You'll get to Heaven.
You will reach heaven.
Get bu-sy;
Get busy;
Dance with Maud the countess, or just plain Lizzy:
Dance with aristocrats like Maud or regular folks like Lizzy:
Dance until you're blue in the face and dizzy.
Dance until you're exhausted
When you've learn'd to dance in your sleep
Once you have mastered dancing so well
You're sure to win out.
You're guaranteed to succeed.
In time you'll get Saint Vitus dance,
Eventually, you will dance with such skill
Which beats the latest thing from France.
That rivals the latest dance craze from France.
Take no chances on this Paradise;
Don't risk missing out on going to heaven;
Let me give you advice.
Let me give you a piece of counsel.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ARTHUR FRANCIS, B.G. DESYLVA, GEORGE GERSHWIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind