You Gotta Know How To Dance

Written for: Colleen (1936)
Performer: Dick Powell, Ruby Keeler, Jack Oakie, Joan Blondell, Hugh Herbert, Paul Draper (taps), Louise Fazenda, Luis Alberni, Marie Wilson & Studio Chorus ("Opening Credits"); Ruby Keeler, Dick Powell, Paul Draper (taps) & Studio Chorus (Production Number)
Lyric: Al Dubin
Additional British lyric: Charles Dunn
Music: Harry Warren
Year: 1936
Original publisher: M. Witmark & Sons

Sheet music version:

Verse 1:

I like a rhythm in a melody
To swing to,
To sing 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;

Chorus:

If you want to win my heart,
Don't be too intelligent or smart,
Don't go in for lit'rature and art,
But you gotta know how to dance.
You don't have to have degrees
From a lot of 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.

Verse 2 (from British sheet music):

It all depends on how you glide along
So boldly
And hold me.
I wouldn't like to think you'd move around
Me coldly
Or told me
That your rhythm stock was nil
Oh, I'd never get a thrill.
Tune up your dancing feet
And give yourself
A tumble,
Don't fumble;

[Chorus]

Movie versions:

[Opening credits: "Colleen"]

Chorus:

(Dick Powell:) I'm the one who loves Colleen,
I hope to win her in the final scene.
(Ruby Keeler:) I'm the Colleen that he's speaking of,
He's the boy that I learn to love.
(Jack Oakie:) I am known as Mister Cork,
I'm the fastest thinker in New York.
(Joan Blondell:) He's got lots of grand ideas, it's true,
I'm the gal who helps put 'em through.
(Hugh Herbert:) (chuckling)
(Paul Draper:) (tap-dancing)
(Louise Fazenda:) I am Cedric's ball and chain,
He's my husband, also he's my pain (hiccup)
(Luis Alberni:) I am known as Carlo, I design
Gowns that make a woman divine.
(Marie Wilson:) Though I'm in this picture, too,
I've forgotten now just what I do.
(Dancers:) We're the greatest song and dance machine,
Rounding out the cast of "Colleen."

[Producton number: "You Gotta Know How To Dance"]

Verse:

(Ruby Keeler:) I like a rhythm in 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;

Chorus 1:

If you want to win my heart,
Don't be too intelligent or smart,
Don't go in for lit'rature and art,
But you gotta know how to dance.
You don't have to have degrees
From a lot of 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.

Interlude:

INSTRUMENTAL (Keeler, Paul Draper & chorus tap-dance)

Chorus 2:

(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.
[Plays trumpet]
I don't have to know how to dance.
Now you can dance
And he can dance,
Go, have your fun,
Let ev'ryone swing and sway,
Oh, get gay!
But don't forget
That I can pet
My clarinet, I'm happy and quite O-kay,
I'll play!
[Plays clarinet]
I don't have to know how to dance.
[Plays saxophone]
Though I can't do Harlem flings,
Though I never could do bucket wings,
I can do a lot of other things,
I don't have to know how to dance.

Finale:

INSTRUMENTAL (Keeler, Draper & chorus tap-dance)