Shall We Dance
| PROFILE | |
| Composer | George Gershwin |
| Lyricist | Ira Gershwin |
| Year Written | 1937 |
| About Shall We Dance | |
| This song is, of course, the title song for the 1937 Astaire and Rogers film Shall We Dance, released in 1937. George Gershwin wrote a series of songs for this film that demonstrated the different styles of dance and choreography, including ballet, waltzes and more. Other great songs from this score include “They Can’t Take Away From Me” and “Let’s Call The Whole Thing Off.” | |
Lyrics
Drop that long face. Come on. Have your fling.
Why keep nursing the blues?
If you want this old world on a string,
Put on your dancing shoes. Stop wasting time.
Put on your dancing shoes. Watch your spirits climb.
Shall we dance, or keep on moping?
Shall we dance and walk on air?
Shall we give in to despair?
Or shall we dance with never a care?
Life is short. We’re growing older.
Don’t you be an also ran.
You’ve got to dance, little lady. Dance, little man.
Dance whenever you can.
Session / Album Information
1993
“Shall We Dance” was recorded in July 1993 and was released that year on Steppin’ Out. It was arranged by Tony Bennett and Ralph Sharon.
This recording released on:
- 1993: Columbia CD: CK 57424 — Steppin’ Out
- 2011: Disc #59 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK58) Steppin’ Out