DON'T MAKE ME DANCE!

By Dan Miller 

November 13, 2008 

Listening to different satellite radio channels over a span of several days, an awareness settled in. 

I was hearing lots of songs about dancing. 

They're always there. 

It's a common theme. 

"Do You Love Me (Now That I Can Dance)" by the Contours... 

"Dancing In The Dark" by Bruce Springsteen... 

"Shall We Dance" from The King and I... 

"Save The Last Dance For Me" by the Drifters... 

"The Twist" by Chubby Checker... 

"I Hope You Dance" by Lee Ann Womack... 

"Waltz Across Texas" by Ernest Tubb... 

"The Dance" by Garth Brooks... 

"I Could Have Danced All Night" from My Fair Lady... 

"Dance By The Light Of The Moon" by the Olympics... 

"Dancing In The Street" by Martha and the Vandellas... 

"You Should Be Dancing" by the Bee Gees... 

"Dancing Queen" by ABBA... 

"Tennessee Waltz" by Patti Page... 

and many others. 

As I enjoyed the music, an astounding revelation swept over me.... 

In my life, I've never once... never, ever, not once... thought to myself, "Gee, I think I'd like to go dancing."

And whenever I've been obliged to dance, at weddings or social functions, I've done so reluctantly and with conspicuous discomfort. 

Don't get me wrong. 

For most people, dancing seems to be a delightful, healthy activity.... 

I suppose it releases some deep, primitive instincts.... 

It's unquestionably one of our most beautiful, spellbinding arts.... 

Just not when I'm the one dancing. 

So, there you are.... as both Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald sang on separate hit records, "I Won't Dance, Don't Ask Me."

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