Id Rather Be Dancing
View chords used in this chart
[Verso 1]
G C
You know i was always the one
F G
I could never stand idly by
G C
And watch while the bullies beat up on the weaker ones
F G
I had to do something to try
G C
And i never gave up on people
F G
That we could be better somehow
G C
Morality’s compass, you gave it to me
F G
I still follow it now
[Verso 2]
G C
Well, i couldn’t stop thinking about it
F G
I couldn’t get it out of my mind
G C
The pictures, the stories, the plight of the people
F G
In occupied palestine
G C
How my government makes me complicit
F G
With the political aid that they send
G C
So i packed up my bags and i headed to rafa
F G
To work with the ism
[Refrão]
Dm F C G
And i’d rather be dancing, dancing and falling in love
Dm F G
But if i just can just watch from a distance then what am i made of
[Verso 3]
G C
Mama these people are so good to me
F G
They treat me like one of their own
G C
They feed me and see to my needs
F G
And let me sleep in their home
G C
Papa their lives are so hard
F G
The gun shots night
G C
The road blocks, the strip searches, the humiliations
F G
Papa it just isn’t right
[Verso 4]
G C
I can feel my privilege around me
F G
It’s there in my american face
G C
I could wave my passport around like a flag
F G
And i would be safe in this place
G C
For these child soldiers of israel
F G
They look like the boys back home
G C
And if it wasn’t for american money
F G
They’d have to leave these people alone
[Refrão]
Dm F C G
And i’d rather be dancing, dancing to pat benatar
Dm F G
But somebody has to do somethin’ about it and here we are
[Verso 5]
G C
The tractors are coming today
F G
They’re like tanks with bulldozer blades
G C
The name on the side says caterpillar
F G
That means they’re american made
G C
Well, i am american too
F G
And i’ll be where everybody can see
G C
So if they want to run over these houses today
F G
They’re gonna have to run over me
[Verso 6]
G C
It’s dangerous takin’ a stand
F G
But it’s dangerous running away
G C
Sometimes you have to face up to the danger
F G
There is just no other way
G C
For there are such beautiful dreams
F G
I have seen the eyes of a child
G C
And if i can just make one little difference
F G
Then i think my life is worth while
Outro
Dm F C G
And i’d rather be dancing, but instead i’m saying goodbye
Dm F G
But we’ll meet again when it’s over, don’t cry
Dm F C G
And i’d rather be dancing, and surely we’d all rather be
Dm F G
And one day we’ll dance in a world that’s peaceful and free
How to play Id Rather Be Dancing
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is G. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.