Gilbert composes music in a wide variety of styles including pop, rock, metal, blues, jazz, funk and classical, but is perhaps best known for his versatility and speed. His guitar work is characterised by his floating right hand contrary to the more common anchored right hand that guitarists like Pink Floyd's David Gilmour favour. He is also considered to be one of the best proponents of alternate picking.
Paul once had his own column in British guitar magazine, Total Guitar. He is sometimes a guest lecturer at the Guitar Institute of Technology (GIT) that he once attended, along with Gary Hoey and many other guitar players. He works a great deal with GIT's division in Japan, where he lived for a time before relocating to Los Angeles, CA.
Dancing Queen
Paul Gilbert Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Having the time of your life
See that girl, watch that scene
Dig in the Dancing Queen
Friday night and the lights are low
Looking out for the place to go
Where they play the night music
You come to look for a king
Anybody could be that guy
Night is young and the music's high
With a bit of rock music
Everything is fine
You're in the mood for a dance
And when you get the chance
You are the Dancing Queen
Young and sweet only seventeen
Dancing Queen
Feel the beat from the tambourine
You can dance, you can jive
Having the time of your life
See that girl, watch that scene
Dig in the Dancing Queen
You're teaser, you turn 'em on
Leave 'em burning and then you're gone
Looking out for another
Anyone will do
You're in the mood for a dance
And when you get the chance
You are the Dancing Queen
Young and sweet only seventeen
Dancing Queen
Feel the beat from the tambourine
You can dance, you can jive
Having the time of your life
See that girl, watch that scene
Dig in the Dancing Queen
The lyrics to Paul Gilbert’s song “Dancing Queen” speak to the experience of being young and carefree, seeking out a good time and a little bit of romance. The first verse sets the scene for a Friday night out on the town, with the singer urging listeners to dance and jive their way through the evening. The chorus then introduces the titular Dancing Queen, who is described as being “young and sweet only seventeen” but also confident and in control. The second verse continues this theme, with the Dancing Queen being depicted as a temptress who can leave anyone burning with desire. But ultimately, the lyrics celebrate the joy and energy of dance, with the tambourine providing a driving beat that keeps the party going.
One interpretation of the song is that it is about the moment of transition from adolescence to adulthood. The singer, who may or may not be the Dancing Queen herself, is caught between living life to the fullest and seeking out true love. The references to a “king” and “teasers” suggest that both the singer and those around her are searching for someone special, but are also content to embrace the wildness and freedom of youth. Ultimately, the singer seems to revel in this tension, embracing the vibrant beat of the music and the sense of possibility that comes with being young.
Line by Line Meaning
You can dance, you can jive
You are free to move and dance as you wish
Having the time of your life
It is an enjoyable experience
See that girl, watch that scene
Observe the surroundings and the people dancing
Dig in the Dancing Queen
Enjoy the upbeat rhythm and continue to dance
Friday night and the lights are low
It is nighttime and the lighting is dim
Looking out for the place to go
Searching for a desirable location
Where they play the night music
Where the music that plays at night is being played
Getting in the swing
Getting into the groove of things
You come to look for a king
Seeking an attractive or desirable partner
Anybody could be that guy
Anyone has the potential to be this desirable partner
Night is young and the music's high
It is early in the night and the music is playing loudly
With a bit of rock music
A genre of music that is played
Everything is fine
Things are going well
You're in the mood for a dance
You feel like dancing
And when you get the chance
When the opportunity arises
You are the Dancing Queen
You are the one who is dancing remarkably well
Young and sweet only seventeen
A youthful individual who is only seventeen years old
Feel the beat from the tambourine
Hear and feel the rhythm that is created by the tambourine instrument
You're teaser, you turn 'em on
You make others feel attracted to you through flirting or suggestive behavior
Leave 'em burning and then you're gone
You leave others wanting more and then leave without giving in
Looking out for another
Seeking another partner or individual
Anyone will do
Anyone is sufficient as a partner or individual
Lyrics © DistroKid, CONSALAD CO., Ltd., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Benny Goran Bror Andersson, Bjoern K. Ulvaeus, Stig Erik Leopold Anderson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ririanan finger
Ooh
You can dance
You can jive
Having the time of your life
Ooh, see that girl
Watch that scene
Dig in the dancing queen
Friday night and the lights are low
Looking out for a place to go
Where they play the right music
Getting in the swing
You come to look for a king
Anybody could be that guy
Night is young and the music's high
With a bit of rock music
Everything is fine
You're in the mood for a dance
And when you get the chance
You are the dancing queen
Young and sweet
Only seventeen
Dancing queen
Feel the beat from the tambourine, oh yeah
You can dance
You can jive
Having the time of your life
Ooh, see that girl
Watch that scene
Dig in the dancing queen
You're a teaser, you turn 'em on
Leave 'em burning and then you're gone
Looking out…
Paul Butcher
This entire CD just sounds like someone's party and a few friends bust out guitars and play songs everyone loves. It's awesome.
Greg Hoskin
Acoustic samurai is an excellent album. I took a page from peedges book the other day when teaching the neighbor girl to play guitar and used my case as a drum with my foot. He's so amazing
klbax63
So Fucking cool Would love to hear Paul do more pop covers like this
ririanan finger
Ooh
You can dance
You can jive
Having the time of your life
Ooh, see that girl
Watch that scene
Dig in the dancing queen
Friday night and the lights are low
Looking out for a place to go
Where they play the right music
Getting in the swing
You come to look for a king
Anybody could be that guy
Night is young and the music's high
With a bit of rock music
Everything is fine
You're in the mood for a dance
And when you get the chance
You are the dancing queen
Young and sweet
Only seventeen
Dancing queen
Feel the beat from the tambourine, oh yeah
You can dance
You can jive
Having the time of your life
Ooh, see that girl
Watch that scene
Dig in the dancing queen
You're a teaser, you turn 'em on
Leave 'em burning and then you're gone
Looking out…
altair beta
Awesome, this is just amazing!!!
YBF
@jayveejames I've always liked his voice. Really comforting tone, even if his range isn't pro standard.
稽古明日
I like his mesmerizing melody.
NukeTheCrossXPT700
This was awesome.
Grim Reaper
awesome sweet sound !!!! viva paul !!
Remruati B
I love it 😚😚