☝️ Key Points
- The singer refuses to dance and asks not to be asked about it.
- The person he is supposed to dance with is attractive and has a strong impact on him.
- The singer acknowledges that the person is charming and gentle while dancing, but he feels vulnerable and does not want to be invulnerable.
- It seems that the singer fears that dancing could lead to romantic feelings and he is not ready to give in to this dance.
- The song lyrics express the singer's rejection, although he acknowledges the person's attractiveness and dancing skills.
Interpretation
The lyrics of the song "I Won't Dance" by
Frank Sinatra are about a person who refuses to dance. The singer repeatedly states that he won't dance and asks not to be asked about it. His heart won't let his feet do what they should do.
The lyrics also emphasize the attractiveness of the person the singer is supposed to dance with. She is "lovely" and has a strong effect on him. He describes himself as an ocean wave being thrown onto the shore and feeling completely lost on the floor.
The singer acknowledges that the person is charming and graceful when dancing, especially the "Continental". But he also says that his feeling is not just mental, but that he doesn't feel invulnerable ("heaven rest us, I am not asbestos").
The reasons why he doesn't want to dance are not directly mentioned, but it seems that he fears that dancing could lead to romantic feelings. He knows that music points the way to romance and when he holds the person in his arms, he doesn't want to dance.
Overall, the lyrics of the song express the singer's refusal to dance, although he acknowledges the attractiveness of the person and is impressed by their dancing skills. However, it seems that for his own reasons, he is not willing to give in to this dance.