YOU GOTTA KNOW HOW TO DANCE
>From the film "Colleen" (1936)
(Music: Harry Warren / Lyrics: Al Dubin)


Ruby Keeler & Dick Powell (Film Soundtrack) - 1936



RUBY KEELER:
I like a rhythm and a melody
To sing to, to swing to
I like to dance because I like someone
To cling to and sing to

Culture doesn't mean a thing 
If you haven't got that swing
You're asking me what kind of man I like
I'll answer.......a dancer

If you wanna win my heart
Don't be too intelligent or smart
Don't go in for literature and art
But you gotta know how to dance

You don't have to have degrees
>From a lot o' universities
All you need is rhythm in your knees
And you gotta know how to dance

Now don't the trees blow up a breeze
To give the little flowers and plants a chance....to dance
And don't the tones of saxophones 
Make your head spin, inveigle you in romance....let's dance

If you have the right technique
I don't care what language you may speak
I don't care how much you make a week
But you gotta know how to dance

(Dance Routine)

DICK POWELL:
I know how to croon a tune
Play a trumpet and a big bassoon
I know what to do beneath the Moon
I don't have to know how to dance

(Trumpet Solo)
I don't have to know how to dance

Now, you can dance and he can dance
Go have your fun, let everyone swing and sway....or get gay
But don't forget that I can get my clarinet
I'm happy and quite okay....I'll play

(Clarinet Solo)
I don't have to know how to dance
(Saxophone Solo)

Though I can't do Highland Flings
Though I never could do buck-and-wings
I can do a lot of other things
I don't have to know how to dance






(Transcribed by Mel Priddle - September 2011)