Dancing Through Life – English Lyrics

• By: Jonathan Bailey, Ariana Grande, Ethan Slater, Marissa Bode, Cynthia Erivo
• Album: Wicked: The Soundtrack

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the art of lightheartedness with 'Dancing Through Life' from 'Wicked.' This song offers a glimpse into a carefree approach to life, teaching you how to 'skim the surface' and 'keep dancing through' any challenge. Dive in to explore vocabulary related to emotions, philosophy, and the nuances of living an unexamined life.

[English]

I see that once again

The responsibility to corrupt my fellow students falls to me

The trouble with schools is

They always try to teach the wrong lesson

...

Believe me, I've been kicked out of enough of them to know

They want you to become less callow, less shallow

But I say, why invite stress in?

Stop studying strife

And learn to live the unexamined life

...

Dancing through life, skimming the surface

Gliding where turf is smooth

Life's more painless for the brainless

Why think too hard when it's so soothing?

Dancing through life, no need to tough it

When you can slough it off as I do

Nothing matters but knowing nothing matters

It's just life, so keep dancing through

...

Dancing through life, swaying and sweeping

And always keeping cool

Life is fraughtless when you're thoughtless

Those who don't try never look foolish

Dancing through life, mindless and careless

Make sure you're where less trouble is rife

Woes are fleeting, blows are glancing

When you're dancing through life

...

Let's go down to the Ozdust Ballroom

We'll meet there later tonight

We can dance 'til it's light

Find the prettiest girl

Give her a whirl

Right on down to the Ozdust Ballroom

Come on, follow me

You'll be happy to be there

Dancing through life down at the Ozdust

If only because dust is what we come to

Nothing matters but knowing nothing matters

It's just life

It's just life

So keep dancing through

Galinda, um, I hope you'll save a dance for me tonight

I'll be right there, waiting all night

That's so kind

But you know what would be even kinder?

See that tragically beautiful girl?

The one in the chair

It seems so unfair

We should go on a spree

And not she, gee

I know someone would be my hero

If that someone were to go invite her

(Well, maybe I could invite her)

Oh, Bick, really?

You would do that for me?

I would do anything for you

You're good

I don't know what you mean

I love helping others, oh, and I happen to be free tonight, after all

Now that we've met one another

It's clear we deserve each other

You're perfect (you're perfect)

So we're perfect together

Born to be forever

Dancing through life

You'll never guess what just happened to me

That perfectly adorable Munchkin boy just asked me out

He said he was too shy to ask me out first

But then Galinda emboldened him (wait, Galinda?)

Don't, don't you dare say another word against her

I'm about to have the happiest night of my life

Thanks to Galinda

Finally, for this one night

I'm about to have a fun night

With this Munchkin boy Galinda found for me

And I only wish there were

Something I could do for her, to repay her

Elphaba, see? We deserve each other

And Galinda helped it come true

We deserve each other, me and Boq

Please Elphaba, try to understand

I do

Galinda, um, Nessa and I were talking about you just now and

Well, we were just talking about you!

How you should join us tonight

At the Ozdust

And don't tell me you have nothing to wear

Because you could wear this

I mean, it goes with everything you own

It's really, uh, sharp, don't you think?

You know, black is this year's pink

You deserve each other, this hat and you

You're both so smart

You deserve each other so here

Out of the goodness of my heart

...

Listen, Nessa?

Yes?

Uh, Nessa

I've got something to confess

A reason why, well

Why I asked you here tonight

And I know it isn't fair

Oh, Boq, I know why

You do?

It's because I'm in this chair

And you felt sorry for me

Well, isn't that right?

No! Oh, no, no, I don't feel sorry for you

You're great, I asked you because, because

Because you are so beautiful!

Oh, Boq, I think you're wonderful!

And we deserve each other

Don't you see? This is our chance

We deserve each other

Don't we, Boq?

You know what?

Let's dance

What?

Let's dance!

...

Dancing through life here at the Ozdust

If only because dust is what we come to

And here's the strange thing, your life could end up changing

While you're dancing through

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
responsibility /rɪspɒnsɪˈbɪlɪti/ B2	noun - the state or fact of being responsible
corrupt /kəˈrʌpt/ B2	verb - to alter from good to bad adjective - morally degraded
teach /tiːtʃ/ A2	verb - to give knowledge or help to learn
lesson /ˈlɛsn/ A2	noun - a period of teaching or learning
callow /ˈkæl.oʊ/ B1	adjective - inexperienced and immature
shallow /ˈʃæ.loʊ/ A2	adjective - not deep
stress /strɛs/ B1	noun - pressure or tension
learn /lɜːrn/ A2	verb - to gain knowledge
life /laɪf/ A1	noun - the existence of living beings
dance /dæns/ A1	verb - to move rhythmically to music
surface /ˈsɜːrfɪs/ B1	noun - outermost layer
smooth /smuːð/ B2	adjective - having an even and regular surface
painless /ˈpeɪn.ləs/ C1	adjective - without pain or difficulty
brainless /ˈbreɪn.ləs/ B2	adjective - lacking intelligence or common sense
mindless /ˈmaɪndləs/ B2	adjective - lacking consciousness or good judgment
careless /ˈkɛərləs/ B1	adjective - not giving sufficient attention
trouble /ˈtrʌb.əl/ B2	noun - problems or difficulties
live /lɪv/ A2	verb - to be alive

Key Grammar Structures

• The trouble with schools is they always try to teach the wrong lesson.

  ➔ Present simple tense is used to express general truths.

  ➔ In the sentence, "The trouble with schools is...", the verb "is" indicates a state of being.

• Nothing matters but knowing nothing matters.

  ➔ The phrase uses 'but' to indicate exception.

  ➔ In this context, "but" emphasizes that knowing nothing matters is the only thing that is important.

• Life's more painless for the brainless.

  ➔ The contraction 'Life's' is a possessive form.

  ➔ Here, "Life's" indicates that life has a quality of being painless.

• Let's go down to the Ozdust Ballroom.

  ➔ The use of 'let's' is an invitation or suggestion.

  ➔ In this line, "Let's go" suggests a shared action or experience.

• You deserve each other.

  ➔ The phrase uses 'deserve' to indicate merit or worthiness.

  ➔ In this context, "deserve" implies that both parties are suitable for each other.

• I only wish there were something I could do for her.

  ➔ The use of 'wish' indicates a desire for something that is not true.

  ➔ In this line, "I only wish" expresses a longing for the ability to help.

• When you're dancing through life.

  ➔ The use of 'when' introduces a conditional clause.

  ➔ In this context, "when you're dancing" suggests a scenario where life is more enjoyable.