I Could Have Danced All Night
Original Broadway Cast Lyrics
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My head's too light to try to set it down
Sleep, sleep! I couldn't sleep tonight
Not for all the jewels in the crown
I could have danced all night
I could have danced all night
And still have begged for more
And done a thousand things
I've never done before
I'll never know ahat made it so exciting
Why all at once my heart took flight
I only know when he began to dance with me
I could have danced, danced, danced all night
(It's after three now)
(Don't you agree now)
(She ought to be in bed)
I could have danced all night (You're tired out, you must be dead)
I could have danced all night (Your face is drawn, your eyes are red)
And still have begged for more (Now say goodnight, turn out the light)
(Please, it's really time for you to be in bed)
I could have spread my wings (Do come along, do as you're told)
And done a thousand things (Or Mrs. Pierce is apt to stir)
I've never done before (You're up too late, please, it sure is late)
(Miss, you'll catch a cold)
I'll never know what made it so exciting
Why all at once my heart took flight
I only know when he (Put down your book, the work'll keep)
Began to dance with me (Now settle down and go to sleep)
I could have danced, danced, danced all night
(I understand, dear)
(It's all been grand, dear)
(But now it's time to sleep)
I could have danced all night
I could have danced all night
And still have begged for more
I could have spread my wings
And done a thousand things
I've never done before
I'll never know what made it so exciting
Why all at once my heart took flight
I only know when he began to dance with me
I could have danced, danced, danced all night
In I Could Have Danced All Night, the singer is describing how she is so awake and exhilarated after having danced all night with the man of her dreams that she cannot possibly go to sleep. She’s still reeling from the experience, and her heart feels so full of joy that she could have continued dancing forever. The song is an expression of pure ecstasy and the desire to lose oneself completely in the moment.
Throughout the song, the singer repeats the refrain, “I could have danced all night,” emphasizing just how overwhelming her feelings are. She also expresses that her heart “took flight” when she started dancing, which adds a sense of euphoria to the mix. Despite how tired and exhausted she is, the singer is completely caught up in the magic of the night and the feeling of perfect happiness that comes along with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Bed, bed! I couldn't go to bed
I am not ready for bed, because I am too excited to sleep.
My head's too light to try to set it down
I feel light-headed and unable to settle down.
Sleep, sleep! I couldn't sleep tonight
Despite my attempts to fall asleep, I find myself restless and awake.
Not for all the jewels in the crown
No amount of treasure or riches could make me want to sleep right now.
I could have danced all night
I have so much energy that I could have continued dancing for hours.
And still have begged for more
Even after dancing for such a long time, I would still want to keep going.
I could have spread my wings
I feel free and unrestricted, as though I could fly like a bird.
And done a thousand things
My mind is filled with a multitude of possibilities and opportunities.
I've never done before
All of these ideas and adventures are completely new to me.
I'll never know what made it so exciting
I am unsure what exactly made this such an exhilarating experience for me.
Why all at once my heart took flight
My heart suddenly soared with joy and excitement.
I only know when he began to dance with me
The moment we started dancing together is when my energy and enthusiasm really ignited.
It's after three now
It's late in the evening and I should have gone to bed by now.
Don't you agree now
Do you think it's also time for me to sleep?
She ought to be in bed
Others around me believe that I should already be asleep.
You're tired out, you must be dead
You look exhausted and must be completely drained of energy.
Your face is drawn, your eyes are red
Your face looks tired and your eyes are bloodshot from lack of sleep.
Now say goodnight, turn out the light
It's time to say goodbye and go to bed.
Please, it's really time for you to be in bed
Others are urging me to go to bed because it's getting late.
Do come along, do as you're told
Please follow along and do what you're told to do.
Or Mrs. Pierce is apt to stir
If we continue making noise and staying up late, Mrs. Pierce is likely to get upset.
You're up too late, please, it sure is late
You are staying up too late and it's important to go to bed now.
Miss, you'll catch a cold
If you don't go to bed soon, you'll likely get sick and catch a cold.
I understand, dear
I understand your reluctance to go to bed, dear.
It's all been grand, dear
It's been a wonderful time, dear.
But now it's time to sleep
Despite how wonderful this experience has been, it's now time to rest and sleep.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ALAN JAY LERNER, FREDERICK LOEWE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind