Sunday, November 20, 2011

The Most Important Songs of the Rock Era: Songs That Changed the World--"All She Wants to Do Is Dance" by Don Henley

Don Henley attacked apathy in this searing song about people that ignore the problems of the world and the policies of their government, being more concerned with self-gratification and hedonism e.g. dancing, partying, being promiscuous, etc. Although the problem with apathy is just as attributable to men if not more so, in the song, he makes fun of a woman displaying these behaviors with the title line "All She Wants to Do Is Dance", while every other line tells the real story of the world going on while the woman is only concerned with herself. Powerful song.

"All She Wants to Do Is Dance"
by Don Henley


Written by Danny Kortchmar


They're pickin' up the prisoners and puttin' 'em in a pen
And all she wants to do is dance, dance
Rebels been rebels since I don't know when
And all she wants to do is dance


Molotov cocktail- the local drink
And all she wants to do is dance, dance
Crazy people walkin' round with blood in their eyes
And all she wants to do is dance, dance
Wild-eyed pistol wavers who ain't afraid to die
And all she wants to do is-

All she wants to do is dance and make romance
She can't feel the heat comin' off the street
She wants to party
She wants to get down
All she wants to do is-
All she wants to do is dance

Well, the government bugged the men's room in the local disco lounge
And all she wants to do is dance, dance
To keep the boys from sellin' all the weapons they could scrounge
And all she wants to do is dance
But that don't keep the boys from makin' a buck or two
And all she wants to do is dance, dance
They still can sell the army all the drugs that they can do
And all she wants to do is-
All she wants to do is dance and make romance

Well we barely made the airport for the last plane out
As we taxied down the runway I could hear the people shout
They said "Don't come back here Yankee"
But if I ever do-
I'll bring more money

'Cause all she wants to do is dance and make romance
Never mind the heat comin' off the street
She wants to party
She wants to get down
All she wants to do is-
All she wants to do is dance
All she wants to do is dance and make romance
All she wants to do is dance

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