The Only Dance
Sleepytime Gorilla Museum Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I can see them from here
Glistening and bright
Night is here at my side
Helping me hide in shadows
This is the only
Dance I remember now

Tom tom, c'est moi
The blue guitar and I are one
The orchestra fills the high hall
With shuffling men
High as the hall

Tom tom, c'est moi
The blue guitar and I are one
The orchestra fills the high hall




With shuffling men
High as the hall

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Sleepytime Gorilla Museum's song The Only Dance are complex and cryptic, creating a sense of mystery and ambiguity that leaves the listener with plenty to decipher. At its core, the song seems to be an ode to the power of music and dance to transport us to new and unfamiliar places. The first verse talks about seeing something glistening and bright, which could be interpreted as the stage lights or the instruments being played. However, it's unclear what is being hidden in the shadows, or what the "only dance" is that the singer remembers.


The second verse is just as cryptic, mentioning "Tom tom" and "the blue guitar," which could be a reference to specific instruments or players. The phrase "ce'st moi," which means "this is me" in French, suggests a sense of identity or self-revelation. The image of a high hall filled with shuffling men could be interpreted as a dance floor or a performance space, but the purpose and meaning of the gathering are left up to the listener's imagination.


Overall, The Only Dance is a haunting and enigmatic song that invites interpretation and reflection. It showcases the band's unique blend of theatrical, experimental, and avant-garde music, and leaves a lasting impression on anyone who listens to it.


Line by Line Meaning

I can see them from here
I am observing a group of individuals from a distance


Glistening and bright
Their appearance is shining and eyecatching


Night is here at my side
The darkness of the night is keeping me company


Helping me hide in shadows
The darkness provides cover for me to hide in


This is the only dance I remember now
This is the only performance or spectacle that I can recall vividly


Tom tom, c'est moi
I am the one in control or leading the rhythm with the drum beats


The blue guitar and I are one
I am deeply connected with the sound and music of the guitar


The orchestra fills the high hall
There is a large group of musicians performing in a grand space


With shuffling men
There are individuals in the audience who are moving and dancing to the music


High as the hall
The excitement and energy in the space is palpable and infectious




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Carla Kihlstedt, Wallace Stevens, Matthias Bossi

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Punxtr

Can't believe I didn't see this before! Great video! We love you Carla!

yesod369

"You guys are !@#$ing beautiful man!"