I Won't Dance
Peggy Lee · Other Songs - Peggy Lee
I won't dance, don't ask me
I won't dance, don't ask me
I won't dance, Madame, with you
My heart won't let my feet do things that they should do
You know what?, you're lovely
You know what?, you're so lovely
And, oh, what you do to me
I'm like an ocean wave that's bumped on the shore
I feel so absolutely stumped on the floor
When you dance, you're charming and you're gentle
'specially when you do the Continental
But this feeling isn't purely mental
For, heaven rest us, I am not asbestos
And that's why
I won't dance, why should I?
I won't dance, how could I?
I won't dance, merci beaucoup
I know that music leads the way to romance,
So if I hold you in arms I won't dance
I won't dance, don't ask me,
I won't dance, don't ask me
I won't dance, Madame, with you
My heart won't let me feet do things that they want to do
You know what?, you're lovely,
Ring-a-ding-ding, you're lovely
And, oh, what you do to me
I'm like an ocean wave that's bumped on the shore
I feel so absolutely stumped on the floor
When you dance, you're charming and you're gentle
'Specially when you do the Continental
But this feeling isn't purely mental
For, heaven rest us, I am not asbestos
And that's why
I won't dance, I won't dance
I won't dance, merci beaucoup
I know that music leads the way to romance
So if I hold you in arms I won't dance!!
I won't dance, don't ask me
I won't dance, Madame, with you
My heart won't let my feet do things that they should do
You know what?, you're lovely
You know what?, you're so lovely
And, oh, what you do to me
I'm like an ocean wave that's bumped on the shore
I feel so absolutely stumped on the floor
When you dance, you're charming and you're gentle
'specially when you do the Continental
But this feeling isn't purely mental
For, heaven rest us, I am not asbestos
And that's why
I won't dance, why should I?
I won't dance, how could I?
I won't dance, merci beaucoup
I know that music leads the way to romance,
So if I hold you in arms I won't dance
I won't dance, don't ask me,
I won't dance, don't ask me
I won't dance, Madame, with you
My heart won't let me feet do things that they want to do
You know what?, you're lovely,
Ring-a-ding-ding, you're lovely
And, oh, what you do to me
I'm like an ocean wave that's bumped on the shore
I feel so absolutely stumped on the floor
When you dance, you're charming and you're gentle
'Specially when you do the Continental
But this feeling isn't purely mental
For, heaven rest us, I am not asbestos
And that's why
I won't dance, I won't dance
I won't dance, merci beaucoup
I know that music leads the way to romance
So if I hold you in arms I won't dance!!
I Won't Dance
Peggy Lee's 1956 recording of 'I Won't Dance' stands as a definitive example of mid-century jazz vocal performance. The track features Lee's signature phrasing and emotional delivery, transforming a standard pop composition into a compelling character study of a woman who refuses to compromise her integrity for social approval. With her distinctive contralto voice and the song's melancholic yet defiant tone, Lee captures the tension between personal desire and societal expectations. This recording remains a cornerstone of her discography, showcasing her ability to convey complex narratives through melody and vocal nuance without relying on explicit lyrical exposition.

