Private Dancer
Tina Turner Lyrics


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All the men come in these places
And the men are all the same
You don't look at their faces
And you don't ask their names
You don't think of them as human
You don't think of them at all
You keep your mind on the money
Keeping your eyes on the wall

I'm your private dancer, a dancer for money
I'll do what you want me to do
I'm your private dancer, a dancer for money
And any old music will do

I want to make a million dollars
I want to live out by the sea
Have a husband and some children
Yeah, I guess I want a family
All the men come in these places
And the men are all the same
You don't look at their faces
And you don't ask their names

I'm your private dancer, a dancer for money
I'll do what you want me to do
I'm your private dancer, a dancer for money
And any old music will do

I'm your private dancer, a dancer for money
I'll do what you want me to do
I'm your private dancer, a dancer for money
And any old music will do

Deutch marks or dollars
American Express will do nicely, thank you
Let me loosen up your collar
Tell me, do you want to see me do the shimmy again?

I'm your private dancer, a dancer for money
I'll do what you want me to do
I'm your private dancer, a dancer for money
And any old music will do

All the men come in these places
And the men are all the same
You don't look at their faces
And you don't ask their names
You don't think of them as human
You don't think of them at all
You keep your mind on the money
Keeping your eyes on the wall

I'm your private dancer, a dancer for money
I'll do what you want me to do
I'm your private dancer, a dancer for money
And any old music will do

I'm your private dancer, a dancer for money
I'll do what you want me to do
I'm your private dancer, a dancer for money
And any old music will do

I'm your private dancer, a dancer for money
I'm your private dancer, a dancer for money




I'm your private dancer, a dancer for money
Just a private dancer, a dancer for money

Overall Meaning

"Tina Turner's 'Private Dancer' is a song about a woman who dances in clubs for money, with the singer portraying the character of the dancer. The lyrics describe how the men that come to the club the dancer works at all look the same, with the dancer not bothering to look at their faces or ask for their names. The dancer views these men as inhuman and keeps her mind on the money, not considering them as individuals. The chorus repeatedly insists that the dancer is only there for money, and will do anything the client wants, regardless of the music playing.


The second verse of the song, however, has the dancer confessing her own desires, wanting to make enough money to live by the sea and start a family. Despite this, the dancer continues to view the men she dances for as commodities, suggesting that her desire for money is stronger than her desire for personal relationships. The spoken interlude in the middle of the song adds to this idea, with the dancer suggesting that she is using her clients as much as they are using her.


Overall, "Private Dancer" is a commentary on the objectification of women in the sex industry, and how this objectification can damage both the workers in the industry and the clients who participate in it.


Line by Line Meaning

All the men come in these places
These places attract many men looking for the same thing.


And the men are all the same
All men seem interchangeable and anonymous to the singer.


You don't look at their faces
The singer does not take the time to acknowledge or remember individual clients.


And you don't ask their names
The artist does not care about the identities of her clients.


You don't think of them as human
The artist dehumanizes her clients in order to perform her job easier.


You don't think of them at all
The singer dissociates from her clients emotionally and mentally.


You keep your mind on the money
The singer prioritizes making money over all else.


Keeping your eyes on the wall
The artist avoids eye contact with clients to maintain a sense of detachment.


I'm your private dancer, a dancer for money
The artist is a performer who offers her services for money.


I'll do what you want me to do
The artist is willing to fulfill the desires of her clients, however degrading or unpleasant.


And any old music will do
The singer does not discriminate against the type of music she dances to as long as she is making money.


I want to make a million dollars
The artist is driven by money and has a specific financial goal in mind.


I want to live out by the sea
The singer has an image in her head of a luxurious lifestyle that she wants to attain through her work.


Have a husband and some children
Despite her current occupation, the singer has a desire for a traditional family life.


Yeah, I guess I want a family
The singer acknowledges her desire for family, despite the apparent contradiction with her current profession.


Deutch marks or dollars
The artist accepts payment in either German or American currency.


American Express will do nicely, thank you
The artist prefers payment through American Express, as it likely provides a sense of security and legitimacy.


Let me loosen up your collar
The singer takes on a persona of seductiveness and control over her clients to better fulfill their desires.


Tell me, do you want to see me do the shimmy again?
The singer is willing to perform for the client multiple times to ensure their satisfaction.


Just a private dancer, a dancer for money
The artist is aware of her status as a performer that is only valued for her ability to provide the service of dancing in exchange for money.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Mark Knopfler

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@thevibeguide

Rest in peace Tina! ❤️

@VulgarrViking

Did you seriously go around and say this on all her videos?

@santiagochaverralopez8103

@@VulgarrViking she passed away today

@patrickbrandt6822

​@@VulgarrVikingYes absolutely. Tina Turner is dead

@juand.v.f.7084

La Reina ha muerto...😢 larga vida a la Reina....

@nightsky3981

​@The Retro Viking she passed away today.

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@4life867

The slow intro of the song. Is so iconic. Its filled with so much melancholy and sadness. And Tina's voice was tailor made for this song. Up there with my favorite songs of all time. R. I. P. TINA.

@wolftotem539

It was so 90s... The slow music, the central person going about their routine with perfect makeup and clothes.
I miss the 90s.

@TPRM1

Yup. That’s why Mark Knopfler gave it to her. A great choice.

RIP.

@wolftotem539

@@TPRM1 good composers know who to work with.
The Bee Gees had Barbra Streisand and Burt Bacharach had Dionne Warwick... This is my kind of music.
Reminds me of those cool old days when i would pretend sing with my cousin and oldest sister.

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