Lyrics: Dance (While The Music Still Goes On)
Oh, my love it makes me sad.
Why did things turn out so bad?
Was it just a dream, everything we did, everything we had?
Baby, give me one more
Dance while the music still goes on
Don’t think about tomorrow
Dance and forget our time is gone
Tonight’s a night we borrow.
Let’s make it a memory, a night of our own
A thing to remember when we’re all alone
So dance, it’s our way to say goodbye
Yes, all we have to do is
Dance while the music still goes on
This is no time for crying
Dance, don’t you hear them play our song
God knows that we’ve been trying
But we didn’t make it ’cause nothing’s the same
We just couldn’t help it, nobody’s to blame
So dance while the music still goes on
And let it be our last goodbye
Yet it seems to make me sad.
Why did things turn out so bad?
Was is just a dream, everything we did, everything we had?
Baby, give me one last
Dance while the music still goes on
Just like the night I met you
Dance and believe me, when you’re gone
You know I won’t forget you
Our love was a snowbird, it’s flying away
You tell me it’s over, what more can I say?
So dance while the music still goes on
It’s gonna be our last goodbye
Dance while the music still goes on
Don’t think about tomorrow
Dance and forget our time is gone
Tonight’s a night we borrow.
Let’s make it a memory, a night of our own
A thing to remember when we’re all alone
So dance while the music still goes on
And let it be our last goodbye
Dance while the music still goes on
This is no time for crying
Dance, don’t you hear them play our song
God knows that we’ve been trying
Dance while the music still goes on
Just like the night I met you
Dance and believe me, when you’re gone
You know I won’t forget you
[fade]
Exploring Heartbreak and Farewell Through Dance
Embracing the Final Moments
“Dance (While The Music Still Goes On)” is a poignant reflection on love’s ending. The song captures the bittersweet emotions that come with the realization that a once-cherished relationship has reached its conclusion. Rather than focusing on regret or sorrow, the lyrics encourage the couple to savor their last moments together, dancing as the music plays. It’s a powerful metaphor for making the most of the time left, even as the future grows uncertain.
The Power of Memory and Letting Go
Throughout the song, the act of dancing becomes a way to create a lasting memory—a final, shared experience that can be cherished when both are alone. Lines like “Let’s make it a memory, a night of our own / A thing to remember when we’re all alone” illustrate the desire to part on a positive note, transforming farewell into something beautiful rather than solely painful.
Accepting Change and Moving Forward
Rather than assigning blame for the relationship’s end, the lyrics accept that “nothing’s the same” and that “nobody’s to blame.” This acceptance is central to the song’s emotional maturity. The refrain to “dance while the music still goes on” serves as a gentle reminder to live in the present, to find solace in togetherness, even as parting becomes inevitable. The metaphor of love as a “snowbird” flying away further underscores the theme of impermanence and the natural passing of seasons in life and love.
Song Credits
Songwriters: Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus
Performed by: ABBA
Release Year: 1974
Label: Polar Music