This is a hauntingly beautiful song about introspection, specifically about looking back at a relationship that started bad and ended so poorly, that the narrator wants to go back to the very beginning and tell himself to not even travel down that road. I believe that the relationship started poorly because of the lines:
"Take me back to the night we met:When the night was full of terrors: And your eyes were filled with tears: When you had not touched me yet"
So, the first night was not a great start, but the narrator pursued the relationship and eventually both overcame the rough start to fall in love with each other:
"I had all and then most of you"
Like many relationships that turn sour, it was not a quick decline, but a gradual one where the narrator and their partner fall out of love and gradually grow apart
"Some and now none of you"
Losing someone who was once everything in your world, who you could confide in, tell your secrets to, share all the most intimate parts of your life, to being strangers with that person is probably one of the most painful experiences a person can go through. So Painful, the narrator wants to go back in time and tell himself to not even pursue the relationship.
This was the perfect song for "13 Reasons Why"
I'd like to tell you a story about (story about)
What one dance can do
(What one dance can do)
One dance can do
One dance can do
Oh listen up
After one dance on the floor
She came back wanting for more (for more)
Now I don't know what it is that I've got
What she whispered, it was so nice, so nice
But her man is sitting across the way
And he could hear the things I say
Now he watches from the corner of his eyes
So a move like this would be so unwise
Ooh, ooh, he's standing in my way
Standing in my way, yeah hey
You could see
She was more than ready
To make the move with me anytime
Not even thinking of the consequences, oh no, no
So I had to think quickly
'Cause her man, his face was looking oh so mean
As if anytime he could create a scene
So gently I pushed her away
Oh, oh, he wants to spoil the play
He's standing in my way, yeah
He's standing in my way, woii
Now, I understand how he feels
But I wish he'd give me a little room
I know he's got himself a raw deal
But I'd like to leave with this lady soon
I didn't mean to be so unkind
But I had more than two, but one was looking fine
Big spender he was, had to have his own way
Thought he'd leave, but he stayed, ooh ooh
Still standing in my way
Standing in my way
Standing in my way, hey
Standing in my way (standing)
Standing in my way
That's what one dance can do
Standing in my way
One dance can do
Standing in my way
Still standing in my way
After one dance on the floor
She came back wanting for more
What one dance can do
(What one dance can do)
One dance can do
One dance can do
Oh listen up
After one dance on the floor
She came back wanting for more (for more)
Now I don't know what it is that I've got
What she whispered, it was so nice, so nice
But her man is sitting across the way
And he could hear the things I say
Now he watches from the corner of his eyes
So a move like this would be so unwise
Ooh, ooh, he's standing in my way
Standing in my way, yeah hey
You could see
She was more than ready
To make the move with me anytime
Not even thinking of the consequences, oh no, no
So I had to think quickly
'Cause her man, his face was looking oh so mean
As if anytime he could create a scene
So gently I pushed her away
Oh, oh, he wants to spoil the play
He's standing in my way, yeah
He's standing in my way, woii
Now, I understand how he feels
But I wish he'd give me a little room
I know he's got himself a raw deal
But I'd like to leave with this lady soon
I didn't mean to be so unkind
But I had more than two, but one was looking fine
Big spender he was, had to have his own way
Thought he'd leave, but he stayed, ooh ooh
Still standing in my way
Standing in my way
Standing in my way, hey
Standing in my way (standing)
Standing in my way
That's what one dance can do
Standing in my way
One dance can do
Standing in my way
Still standing in my way
After one dance on the floor
She came back wanting for more
Lyrics submitted by jenniwilliams
What One Dance Can Do Lyrics as written by Dennis Shaw Alexander Greggs
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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!
More Featured Meanings
The Night We Met
Lord Huron
Lord Huron
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
The lyrics say it as it is. Beres is after another man's gal! And she knows her man is watching her and plays on it even more.