Zanzibar Lyrics

Lyric discussion by bugmenot123 

Cover art for Zanzibar lyrics by Billy Joel

I always heard "Ali" as "Allie", i.e., short for "Allison" (which was confusing when he said "though HE's bathed in sweat...). Perhaps it's referring to Muhammed Ali, and the "dancing" is the footwork and dodging and swaying that boxers do?