The dance
Terry J. Mitchell Lyrics
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I went looking for some sweet inspiration, oh well
Just another hard-time band
With Negro affectations
I was a hopeful in rooms like this
When I was working cheap
It's an old romance-the Boho dance
It hasn't gone to sleep
But even on the scuffle
The cleaner's press was in my jeans
And any eye for detail
Caught a little lace along the seams
And you were in the parking lot
Subterranean by your own design
The virtue of your style inscribed
On your contempt for mine
Jesus was a beggar, he was rich in grace
And Solomon kept his head in all his glory
It's just that some steps outside the Boho dance
Have a fascination for me
A camera pans the cocktail hour
Behind a blind of potted palms
And finds a lady in a Paris dress
With runs in her nylons
You read those books where luxury
Comes as a guest to take a slave
Books where artists in noble poverty
Go like virgins to the grave
Don't you get sensitive on me
'Cause I know you're just too proud
You couldn't step outside the Boho dance now
Even if good fortune allowed
Like a priest with a pornographic watch
Looking and longing on the sly
Sure it's stricken from your uniform
But you can't get it out of your eyes
Nothing is capsulized in me
On either side of town
The streets were never really mine
Not mine these glamour gowns
The lyrics of Terry J. Mitchell's "The Dance" speak of the singer's search for inspiration in the Boho zone or the Bohemian scene that was prevalent in the 1960s. The language used refers to the singer's youth and their attempts to become successful in the music industry. They describe the hard-time band with Negro affectations, which possibly points towards their experience with segregation at the time. The singer expresses their fascination with this lifestyle and how it has not faded away. They highlight some people's inability to step outside of the Boho dance even if they are given the opportunity to.
The lyrics go on to describe the singer's encounter with someone who is a metaphorical representation of the singer's desire to break away from the Bohemian scene. This person is described as subterranean by design, which suggests that they are deliberately keeping themselves separate from this lifestyle. The singer continues to express their fascination with luxury and how it often comes to harm those who are not used to it. They make reference to artists who, despite their talent, died in poverty as they were unable to handle or reject the luxury being offered to them.
As the lyrics progress, the singer attempts to distance themselves from the Boho dance and the lifestyle that accompanies it. They make reference to the streets not being theirs and how they do not fit into the glamour gowns that are often associated with the Bohemian scene. In conclusion, the lyrics emphasize the singer's fascination with their past while at the same time attempting to distance themselves from it.
Line by Line Meaning
Down in the cellar in the Boho zone
In a basement room where bohemian culture thrives
I went looking for some sweet inspiration, oh well
I was seeking inspiration for my artistic pursuits
Just another hard-time band
A band struggling to make ends meet
With Negro affectations
Incorporating elements of African-American culture into their music
I was a hopeful in rooms like this
I had high aspirations when I was in similar settings
When I was working cheap
During a time when I was not financially secure
It's an old romance-the Boho dance
The bohemian lifestyle has long been romanticized
It hasn't gone to sleep
It is still thriving today
But even on the scuffle
Despite having financial difficulties
The cleaner's press was in my jeans
My clothes were freshly laundered and pressed
And any eye for detail
Someone observant
Caught a little lace along the seams
Noticeable, intricate details on my clothing
And you were in the parking lot
You were outside, away from the bohemian scene
Subterranean by your own design
Concealing your true self or interests
The virtue of your style inscribed
Your admirable sense of fashion reflected in your appearance
On your contempt for mine
Despite your fashion sense, you look down on my style
Jesus was a beggar, he was rich in grace
Jesus was humble yet exuded goodness and kindness
And Solomon kept his head in all his glory
King Solomon was wise and powerful
It's just that some steps outside the Boho dance
There are things outside of bohemian culture that interest me
Have a fascination for me
I am intrigued by them
A camera pans the cocktail hour
A camera shows the setting of an upscale party
Behind a blind of potted palms
Screened from view by plants
And finds a lady in a Paris dress
A woman dressed fashionably, like someone from Paris
With runs in her nylons
Torn stockings indicate she may not be as perfect as she seems
You read those books where luxury
You read about people living in luxury
Comes as a guest to take a slave
Using luxury to trap someone into servitude
Books where artists in noble poverty
Books and stories about artists who are poor but still maintain their integrity and dignity
Go like virgins to the grave
Die without compromising their values
Don't you get sensitive on me
Don't take offense to what I'm saying
'Cause I know you're just too proud
I understand that you are too proud to admit certain things
You couldn't step outside the Boho dance now
You can't leave the bohemian scene even if you wanted to
Even if good fortune allowed
Even if you had the opportunity to do so
Like a priest with a pornographic watch
Someone who appears respectable but has a hidden, scandalous side
Looking and longing on the sly
Desiring something privately, secretly
Sure it's stricken from your uniform
It's not outwardly apparent, but it's still there
But you can't get it out of your eyes
You can't stop thinking about it, even if you want to
Nothing is capsulized in me
I can't be confined to a single identity or group
On either side of town
Regardless of my location
The streets were never really mine
I don't feel truly at home or accepted
Not mine these glamour gowns
I don't fit the mold of an elegant, fashionable person
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Crazy Crow Music / Siquomb Music Publishing
Written by: JONI MITCHELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Emma-Leigh Campbell
Alessia Cara is so talented and I feel like she should get more recognition for her talent and I’m so happy she got to do this show
Mahlaya Maynard
I agree but she’s already been here before
cosi
i agree!
Shivan Mavalal
Yeah. I actually had no idea of who she is until now. Going to listen here discography.
n64p3
She did wheel of musical impressions before
Harry Styles Fan ✨💚
Wicky Wassup elaborate pls
Lana Teramae
I like how confident Chance was about knowing the lyrics to "This Is How We Do It," so confident that he took off the glasses before the lyrics went away.
Ashlee Larsen
😆
Magen Cory
I think game is they give them the lyrics up until
That last line. It makes sense🤷🏻♀️ I could see them doing it this way on a game show!
linzy c
He was cleaning his glasses cause of the water but we’ll go with what you said lol