They put a parking lot on a piece of land
When the supermarket used to stand
Before that they put up a bowling alley
On the site that used to be the local pally
That's where the big bands used to come and play
My sister went there on a Saturday
Come dancing
All her boyfriends used to come and call
Why not come dancing, it's only natural
Another Saturday, another date
She would be ready but she's always make him wait
In the hallway, in anticipation
He didn't know the night would end up in frustration
He'd end up blowing all his wages for the week
All for a cuddle and a peck on the cheek
Come dancing
That's how they did it when I was just a kid
And when they said come dancing
My sister always did
My sister should have come in a midnight
And my mom would always sit up and wait
It always ended up in a big row
When my sister used to get home late
Out of my window I can see them in the moonlight
Two silhouettes saying goodnight by the garden gate
The day they knocked down the pally
My sister stood and cried
The day they knocked down the pally
Part of my childhood died, just died
Now I'm grown up and playing in a band
And there's a car park where the pally used to stand
My sister's married and she lives on an estate
Her daughters go out, now it's her turn to wait
She knows they get away with things she never could
But if I asked her I wonder if she would
Come dancing
Come on sister, have yourself a ball
Don't be afraid to come dancing
It's only natural
Come dancing
Just like the pally on a Saturday
And all her friends will come dancing
Where the big bands used to play


Lyrics submitted by numb, edited by bobsto12

Come Dancing Lyrics as written by Ray Davies

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Come Dancing song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

22 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +4
    General Comment
    You always look back. No matter how awful the rollerdisco seemed at the time, it'll be hilarious in twenty years. The past doesn't have to be all roses, but it was different, often more naive. At least parts of it for most of us. Personally, I think it's the same brain malfunction that decides at 50 that high school was the best time of your life, and prompts women to have more than one child.
    eww2006on February 16, 2007   Link
  • +4
    General Comment
    "pally" should be spelled "Palais"--a French word for "Palace."
    Susan_The_BassPlayeon November 23, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    What everyone else said... nostalgia. And hoping that some of the old days might still be a alive, a little bit... if he was willing to look hard enough.
    TheSilverNobleon April 02, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    I think HydrolicToaster is right. Even if you look in the video, it seems they chose a child to look like a young Ray Davies. I think it could be a reflection on his own childhood, and he is talking about one of his older sisters. There were 5 of them, so I'm not sure which.
    ginteardropson April 25, 2010   Link
  • +1
    My Opinion
    He'd end up blowing all his wages for the week That line just fits the music perfectly, its beautiful to listen to just that line :D
    Paradeoxyon December 27, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    this song is awsome. i dont understand anyone hasn't commented on it yet. The lyrics are very cool. Pretty straight forward. The old days were great, and the golden days seem to have dissapeared. So true.
    hawk_er_8on July 31, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    please, someone?
    hawk_er_8on August 01, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    It's not the best "Kinks" song ("Waterloo Sunset" is) but it's kinda groovy.
    WorkingClassLoseron September 29, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    I love this song and the end moves me. I really like the kinks and their flair for iorny. By the way waterloo Sunset is very great
    benlevine68on January 08, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    grr the kinks - screamo all the way! :p
    FinalHourJoeon January 08, 2006   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!