Let's Dance
Stevie Ray Vaughan Lyrics


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Ah, ah, ah, ah
Let's dance
Let's dance
Let's dance

Put on your red shoes and dance the blues
Let's dance
To the song they're playing on the radio
Let's sway
While color lights up your face
Let's sway
Sway through the crowd to an empty space

If you say run, I'll run with you
If you say hide, we'll hide
Because my love for you
would break my heart in two
If you should fall into my arms
And tremble like a flower

Let's dance
Let's dance
Let's dance

For fear your grace should fall
Let's dance
For fear tonight is all

Let's sway you could look into my eyes
Let's sway
Under the moonlight this serious moonlight

And if you say run, I'll run with you
And if you say hide, we'll hide
Because my love for you
would break my heart in two
If you should fall into my arms
And tremble like a flower

Let's dance
Let's dance
Let's dance
Put on your red shoes and dance the blues
Let's dance
To the song they're playin'

Let's sway
Let's sway
Under the moonlight, this serious moonlight

Let's dance
Let's
Let's
Let's
Let's dance
Let's dance

Let's dance, let's dance, let's dance, let's dance, let's dance
Let's dance
Let's dance
Let's dance
Let's dance, let's dance, let's dance, let's dance, let's dance
Let's dance




Let's dance
Let's dance

Overall Meaning

Stevie Ray Vaughan's song "Let's Dance" is a rhythmic and joyful invitation to dance. It starts with the repetitive "ah" that denotes a sense of enthusiasm and readiness that one might feel before a night out dancing. The "Let's dance" repetition in the chorus stresses the desire for movement and emphasizes the joy that comes with dancing.


The opening verse "Put on your red shoes and dance the blues" can be interpreted in different ways. The phrase "dance the blues" could mean either dancing to blues music to alleviate sadness or express it through dance, or it could mean dancing because of the blues, creating a sense of liberation through movement. The mention of red shoes might refer to the power and magic of shoes when it comes to dancing. The image of color lightening up the face highlights the transformative potential of music when combined with dancing.


The second verse is characterized by a romantic tone. The singer's love for the partner is so vast that it would break their heart in two. The willingness to run and hide together shows the depth of their connection and their mutual protection. The image of trembling like a flower emphasizes vulnerability and tenderness. The repetition of "let's sway" creates an intimate atmosphere of being lost in each other's arms. The phrase "this serious moonlight" refers to the sense of importance and sincerity of the moment.


In general, "Let's Dance" showcases Vaughan's virtuosity as a guitarist, with tight rhythm arrangements, an explosive solo, and a driving tempo. The musical structure is simple but effective, giving priority to the rhythm section with Charlie Sexton's guitar providing a steady pulse in the background. The lyrics, written by David Bowie, also showcase the playful and romantic character of Vaughan as an artist.


Line by Line Meaning

Ah, ah, ah, ah
Some nonverbal sounds that might convey happiness, excitement, or simply a desire to move and groove.


Let's dance
An invitation to dance together, a way to share the rhythm and beat of the music and to express joy and connection through movement.


Put on your red shoes and dance the blues
A suggestion to use dancing as a way to cope with sadness, disappointment or loneliness, while also adding some style and flair to the moves.


To the song they're playing on the radio
An acknowledgement of the external source of music, letting it guide the dance steps and mood, and possibly providing a collective experience for listeners on airwaves or listeners in a shared environment.


Let's sway
Another invitation to move in a relaxed, flowing manner, letting the sound and rhythm of the music take us to a state of graceful abandon, perhaps a way of surrendering to the moment and letting go of our worries.


While color lights up your face
A recognition of the visual effects that light has on our appearance, creating certain moods, highlighting or masking certain emotions, and adding a layer of richness to our sensory experience.


Sway through the crowd to an empty space
A playful way of finding some breathing room in a crowded place, and also a metaphor for finding a sense of personal space, freedom, and individuality amidst social pressures and expectations.


If you say run, I'll run with you
A promise of loyalty, support, and shared adventure, even in the face of danger or uncertainty, emphasizing the importance of trust and mutual agreement in any relationship.


If you say hide, we'll hide
An extension of the previous promise, with a nod to the power of vulnerability and the need for safety and protection in intimate moments, while also suggesting that sometimes running from danger is not the only option one has.


Because my love for you would break my heart in two
An expression of deep passion, devotion, and emotional investment in the relationship, emphasizing the fragility of the heart and the need for reciprocity and balance.


If you should fall into my arms and tremble like a flower
A romantic scenario of tenderness, tenderness, and compassion, offering a safe refuge for someone in distress, and noting the delicate beauty of emotions that can be easily shaken by external factors.


For fear your grace should fall
A sense of protective care and admiration for the person being addressed, as well as a concern for their well-being and dignity, emphasizing the value of grace and elegance in human interactions.


For fear tonight is all
A reference to the fleeting nature of life and the importance of seizing the moment and making the most of it, while also acknowledging the inevitability of change and the fragility of our time together.


You could look into my eyes
An invitation to engage in a deeper level of connection and intimacy, sharing a gaze that can convey emotions, thoughts, and messages without words, allowing for a more profound understanding and empathy.


Under the moonlight, this serious moonlight
A poetic reference to the moon and its symbolism of mystery, romance, and wonder, while also acknowledging the seriousness and intensity of the situation at hand, creating a contrast between lightness and gravity.


Let's
A shorthand for 'let us,' indicating a collaborative, participatory approach to dancing and expressing oneself, suggesting that the act of dancing is more rewarding and meaningful when shared with others.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: David Bowie

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@coolmanjack1995

How did I never know this solo was played by SRV? It seems so obvious and unique in hindsight

@Antonio-bf2pc

I'm guessing for the same reason I missed it. Because it's David Bowie and SRV's playing was hidden behind the horns and the production. This isolated track sure does reveal what we missed. Pretty awesome easter egg.

@SelectCircle

It's not really his style. He's playing it Bowie's way and not his own. This is elementary-level playing for Stevie. If he'd done it his way - he'd have stolen the record.

@amyclaire100

I was thinking the same!

@carl5192

Inonly just found out too. You can especially tell with the bends.

@joshski85

Pretty deep in the mix compared to his other work. I didn't know either for the same reason I think.

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@Isahiyella

Bowie wanted to take SRV on tour with him, chance of a lifetime for anyone in their right mind. SRV said 'no' because he didn't want to leave Double Trouble behind. What a great and humble man he was. There aren't many people in this world that would pass that up.

@marcelokalef

This reminds me when Deep Purple asked Joe Satriani to go in a world tour, after Richie Blackmore given up. Satch said no too.

@clettes

Rumor has it Stevie would receive chump change for his efforts.

@byebyejohnny6878

SRV actually signed on to tour with Bowie. https://www.guitarplayer.com/players/stevie-ray-vaughan-disses-david-bowie-in-1986-interview-just-a-lotta-bull-video

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