Change Partners

By Irving Berlin
1938

A number-one hit for Irving Berlin, originally written for the one and only Fred Astaire to sing to Ginger Rogers in the film Carefree. The song is one of Berlin's greatest both melodically and lyrically, and became an instant standard. It is also a fine example of the wonderful material Berlin created specifically for Astaire.

Lyrics:

Must you dance every dance with the same fortunate man?
You have danced with him since the music began.
Won't you change partners, and dance with me?

Must you dance quite so close, with your lips touching his face?
Can't you see I'm longing to be in his place?
Won't you change partners and dance with me?

Ask him to sit this one out and while you're alone,
I'll tell the waiter to tell him he's wanted on the telephone.

You've been locked in his arms ever since heaven-knows-when.
Won't you change partners and then,
You may never want to change partners again.

Recorded By:

Ozzie Nelson
Jimmy Dorsey
Frank Sinatra
Ella Fitzgerald
Harry Connick Jr.