I Can't Dance
The Laughing Gravy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been thinking 'bout dancing with you, but I'm afraid of hurtin' my back
I don't know what you're doing but I like everything you do
Just for a little bit baby I'd come out and dance with you
[Chorus]
But I can't dance and I'm feeling so good
Some of us can and some of us can't and some of us wish that we could dance
Just for a little bit, baby, I'd come out and dance with you
My mind is out there with you now but I can't get my body to move
Sitting here falling in love, love, love thinking something I can't prove
My soul is willing and my mind is ready but it's something that I never could do
Just for a little bit, baby, I'd come out and dance with you
[Chorus]
The Laughing Gravy's song "I Can't Dance" is a bittersweet admission from the singer that while they yearn to dance with their beloved, they are physically unable to. The opening line, "I can't dance and I never could, I guess my feet don't match," is a declaration of limitations that sets the tone for the rest of the song. The singer is apprehensive about dancing because they are worried they will hurt themselves or embarrass themselves in front of their crush. They admire their partner's dancing ability, expressing, "I don't know what you're doing but I like everything you do."
The chorus encapsulates the theme of the song with poignant clarity: "Some of us can and some of us can't and some of us wish that we could dance." The singer bemoans their lack of dance skills, acknowledging that they are one of the unfortunate few. They express willingness to dance, albeit for a brief period of time, with the object of their affection. The second verse portrays the singer's mind and soul being in tune with their partner's while their body remains immobile. They are "falling in love, love, love thinking something [they] can't prove." One gets the sense that this is a song about unrequited love, where the singer's inability to dance becomes symbolic of their inability to express their feelings in a more physical way.
Overall, "I Can't Dance" is a touching medley of desire and frustration, brought to life by the melancholic melody and introspective lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't dance and I never could, I guess my feet don't match
I have never been a good dancer because my feet don't coordinate well.
I've been thinking 'bout dancing with you, but I'm afraid of hurtin' my back
Despite my lack of dancing skills, I have been considering dancing with you, but I am worried about injuring my back.
I don't know what you're doing but I like everything you do
Although I can't dance, I appreciate the way you move to the music.
Just for a little bit baby I'd come out and dance with you
Even though I lack confidence in my dancing abilities, I would be willing to dance with you briefly.
But I can't dance and I'm feeling so good
My enjoyment of the music and your presence is not diminished by my lack of dancing skills.
Some of us can and some of us can't and some of us wish that we could dance
Dancing ability varies from person to person, with some being able to dance well while others wish they could.
Some can't dance and I guess I'm just one of the unfortunate few
I am among those who cannot dance well, which can make me feel unlucky.
My mind is out there with you now but I can't get my body to move
Although I want to dance with you, there seems to be a disconnect between my mind and body when it comes to dancing.
Sitting here falling in love, love, love thinking something I can't prove
As I sit and watch you dance, I am falling deeper in love with you even though I can't express it through dancing.
My soul is willing and my mind is ready but it's something that I never could do
While I may be mentally prepared to dance with you and my soul is willing, my lack of coordination makes it difficult for me.
Just for a little bit, baby, I'd come out and dance with you
Once again, I reiterate my willingness to dance with you briefly despite my inability to dance well.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TOM T. HALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ask Trixie Bumblebutter
Bootlegged as a supposed "Smile" outtake called 'Grin' at one point!
A S
I don't remember it being on any CD, but I do remember somebody made a website that had this song available to download, and they claimed it was a lost Smile track. There was even a minor controversy about it on the Smiley Smile Board.
trfesok
Easy to understand that. Very much has that sensibility.
Wedgehead 101
It's Dean Torrance and friends