"I'm Dancing in the Show Tonight" was not written by Ween. The original ver… Read Full Bio ↴"I'm Dancing in the Show Tonight" was not written by Ween. The original version of the song is "Are My Ears On Straight?" by child star Gayla Peevey, the B-side to her signature novelty single "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas". "Are My Ears On Straight?" has an identical melody to "I'm Dancing in the Show Tonight", with lyrics that are partially similar but also have key differences. Dean Ween recounted that he found the song "I'm Dancing in the Show Tonight" on a "ballet-practice record" that his sister had; the exact identity of the record Dean refers to is unknown, but it seems it was probably a modified version of the Gayla Peevey song. Dean has called the decision to record this song "a stupid fucking idea, but it was the perfect opening track."

"I'm Dancing in the Show Tonight" was one of two songs recorded during keyboardist Glenn McClelland's very first recording session with Ween, sometime in 1996 or 1997 (the other song was the outtake "Boys Club"). Glenn's two-year-old son Charlie sang on the track; as Dean explained, "Everybody sang on it, and we had 12 vocal tracks at different speeds. That’s why it’s all over the place. It sounds really fucked up, but a lot of it is Charlie McClelland at age 2."

Ween debuted "I'm Dancing in the Show Tonight" live in 1997 and played it heavily on the Mollusk tour. In later years they have continued to play the song occasionally. "I'm Dancing in the Show Tonight" has also been played individually by Gene Ween (solo acoustic) and Dean Ween (with the Dean Ween Group).

A cover version of "I'm Dancing in the Show Tonight" was used in the 2021 animated children's film The Addams Family 2[u/rl].

I'm Dancing in the Show Tonight
Ween Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Are my lemons tied? Is my hair in place?
Have I got a cute expression on my face?
Are my shoes all shined?
I try to keep in line when I'm dancing in the show tonight

Does my shuffle step really look so good?
Am I doing it the way you think I should?
Would it be amiss if I blew a kiss

When I'm dancing in the show tonight?

Showtime now is getting nearer and I'm getting scared
Wish I could see in the mirror if I'm all prepared

First you take a step then you point your toe
Hope I know it like I did a week ago
Am I standing straight?
I can hardly wait till I'm dancing in the show tonight

Showtime now is getting nearer and I'm getting scared
Wish I could see in the mirror if I'm all prepared

First you take a step then you point your toe
Hope I know it like I did a week ago

Am I standing straight?
I can hardly wait till I'm dancing in the show tonight

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "I'm Dancing in the Show Tonight" convey the anxious thoughts and feelings of someone preparing for a performance. The singer is preoccupied with their appearance, worried that everything from their hair to their shoes looks presentable. They also seem concerned with whether they're executing their dance steps correctly, wondering if they're meeting expectations. Despite this nervousness, there's a sense of excitement and anticipation, as the singer eagerly looks forward to taking the stage.

The song perfectly captures the mixture of apprehension and exhilaration that can come with performing in front of an audience. The lyrics are simple and straightforward, but they effectively illustrate the inner monologue of someone about to take the spotlight. The repetition of certain phrases, such as "Showtime now is getting nearer and I'm getting scared," emphasizes the sense of mounting pressure as the performance draws closer.

Overall, "I'm Dancing in the Show Tonight" is a relatable and catchy tune that captures the universal feeling of stage fright. Whether you're a professional performer or someone getting ready to give a speech at a wedding, it's easy to identify with the self-doubt and excitement expressed in this song.

Line by Line Meaning

Are my lemons tied? Is my hair in place?
Am I fully prepared for the upcoming show? Have I taken care of even the smallest details like tying my shoelaces and styling my hair?

Have I got a cute expression on my face?
Have I practiced my facial expressions to match the theme of the dance? Will my expressions make the performance more enjoyable for the audience?

Are my shoes all shined?
Have I taken care of my footwear? Are my shoes clean and polished, enhancing my overall appearance on stage?

I try to keep in line when I'm dancing in the show tonight
I make sure to follow the choreography and stay in sync with the other dancers during the performance to make it a successful show.

Does my shuffle step really look so good?
Am I confident about each step and movement during the performance? Will the viewers appreciate the same?

Am I doing it the way you think I should?
Am I accurately executing what the choreographer expects of me? Am I giving justice to the entire theme by my performance?

Would it be amiss if I blew a kiss
Should I add few of my own moves or expressions to make the performance more interesting, like blowing a kiss to the viewers?

When I'm dancing in the show tonight?
All these thoughts and concerns come only when I'm performing, as giving my best during the dance is my prime focus.

Showtime now is getting nearer and I'm getting scared
The feeling of nervousness and anxiety increase as the showtime is inching closer, adding to the already-existing pressure of the performance.

Wish I could see in the mirror if I'm all prepared
I regret not being able to get a glimpse of myself in the mirror and check if everything is in place as I had planned in the backstage.

First you take a step then you point your toe
I need to make sure all the dance steps are coordinated with the movements of my feet to add grace to the performance.

Hope I know it like I did a week ago
I pray that all the practices during rehearsals have been fruitful, and I can perform with the same precision as I did during the preparation phase.

Am I standing straight?
While performing, I have to stand straight, ensuring every move is sharp and attractive, leaving no room for mistakes.

I can hardly wait till I'm dancing in the show tonight
I am excited yet nervous about showcasing my dance skills in front of the audience, hoping that they will appreciate my performance.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: MICHAEL MELCHIONDO, AARON FREEMAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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