Dancing Through Life is sung between Fiyero, Elphaba, Galinda, Nessarose, and Boq, as well as the ensemble members.
Tanz Durch Die Welt is the German version of this song, that translates to "Dance Through the World"and Jinsei o odoriakase is the Japanese version of the song.
Context[]
The song is performed towards in the middle of the first act of the musical. Just prior to the song, Fiyero, the famed Winkie prince, arrives at Shiz University, where he meets Galinda and Boq. During the song, Fiyero sings about his beliefs regarding the problem with schools, and believes that people should ignore school, and live the "unexamined life." Also during this song, Boq confesses to Galinda his infatuation with her, and asks her to save a dance for him, after Fiyero invites everyone to the "most swankified" place in town, which is the Ozdust Ballroom. Upon hearing Boq, Galinda tells him that someone would be her hero if they asked Nessarose, the crippled sister of Elphaba, to the dance. Galinda does this not to help Nessarose, but to avoid Boq, and start a relationship with Fiyero. Nessarose is thrilled at the possibility of having a fun night at the Ozdust Ballroom, and begins her infatuation with Boq, hinting at later events to come in the musical. Elphaba is later given a black, pointed hat, by Galinda, who was originally given the hat by her grandmother. Galinda gives this hat to Elphaba to ridicule her in front of others, reminiscent of What Is This Feeling? Nessarose and Elphaba also try to find a way to repay Galinda for her thoughtfulness.
During the ball, Madame Morrible confronts Galinda, and gives her a training wand, saying it was at the request of the Thropps that Galinda begin sorcery training, though Madame Morrible has doubts of Galinda's abilities. However, she gives Galinda the wand. Later, Elphaba arrives at the ball, wearing the hat, and begins to dance, alone. Soon filled with remorse, Galinda joins her, and eventually, so does much of the audience, beginning their friendship. Boq and Nessarose begin their relationship, though Boq is only willingly participating to impress Glinda. Boq tries to admit his true reason for inviting Nessa, but is embarrassed when she intuits the truth on her own. Ashamed, he instead lies and claims he invited her because he finds her beautiful, then dances with her.
Musical Lyrics[]
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FIYERO
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Movie Lyrics[]
FIYERO
(spoken) I see that, once again, the responsibility to corrupt my fellow students falls to me
(sung) The trouble with schools is
They always try to teach the wrong lessons
Believe me, I've been kicked out
Of enough of them to know
They want you to become less callow
Less shallow
But I say: why invite stress in?
Stop studying strife
And learn to live the unexamined life
Dancing through life
Skimming the surface
Gliding where turf is smooth
Life's more painless
For the brainless
Why think too hard
When it's so soothing
Dancing through life
No need to tough it
When you can slough it off as I do
Nothing matters
But knowing nothing matters
It's just life
So keep dancing through
Dancing through life
Swaying and sweeping
And always keeping cool
Life is fraught-less
When you're thoughtless
Those who don't try
Never look foolish
Dancing through life
Mindless and careless
Make sure you're where less trouble is rife.
Woes are fleeting
Blows are glancing
When you're dancing
Through life
Let's go down to the OzDust Ballroom
We'll meet there later tonight
We can dance till it's light
Find the prettiest girl
Give 'er a whirl
Right on down to the OzDust Ballroom
Come on - follow me
You'll be happy to be there
ALL
Dancing through life
Down at the OzDust
FIYERO
If only because dust
Is what we come to
ALL
Nothing matters
But knowing nothing matters
FIYERO (STUDENTS)
It's just life (Ah...)
So keep dancing through
BOQ
(spoken) Galinda - I hope you'll save at least one dance for me. I'll be right there. Waiting. All night.
GALINDA
(spoken) Oh - that's so kind.
But you know what would be even kinder?
(sung) See that tragically beautiful girl
The one in the chair
It seems so unfair
We should go on a spree
And not she
Gee
I know someone would be my hero
If that someone were to go invite her
BOQ
Well, maybe - I could invite her!
GALINDA
Oh, Bick, really?
You would do that for me?
BOQ
I would do anything for you.
FIYERO
(spoken) You're good!
GALINDA
(spoken) I don't know what you mean
I love helping others
After all -
(sung) Now that we've met one another
FIYERO AND GALINDA
It's clear we deserve each other
GALINDA
You're perfect
FIYERO
You're perfect
BOTH
So we're perfect together
Born to be forever
Dancing through life
NESSAROSE
(spoken) You'll never guess what just happened to me. That perfectly adorable Munchkin boy just asked me out. He said he was too shy to ask me out first, but then, Galinda emboldened him...
ELPHABA
(spoken) Wait, Galinda?
NESSAROSE
(spoken) Don't. Don't you dare say another word against her. I'm about to have the happiest night of my life, thanks to Galinda!
(sung) Finally, for this one night
I'm about to have a fun night
With this Munchkin boy
Galinda found for me
And I only wish there were
Something I could do for her
To repay her
Elphaba, see?
We deserve each other
And Galinda helped it come true
We deserve each other,
Me and Boq
(spoken) Please, Elphaba try to understand.
ELPHABA
(sung) I do
(spoken) Galinda, um
Nessa and I were talking about you just now and—
GALINDA
(spoken) Oh, well, we were just talking about you. How you should join us tonight at the Ozdust. And don't tell me you have nothing to wear, 'cause you could wear this.
I mean, it goes with everything you own.
(sung) It's really, uh, sharp, don't you think?
You know black is this year's pink
You deserve each other
This hat and you
You're both so smart
You deserve each other
So here, out of the goodness of my heart.
DANCE
BOQ
Listen, Nessa.
NESSAROSE
Yes?
BOQ
Uh - Nessa
I've got something to confess, a
Reason why, well -
Why I asked you here tonight
Now I know it isn't fair
NESSAROSE
(spoken) Oh, Boq, I know why.
BOQ
(spoken) You do?
NESSAROSE
(sung) It's because I'm in this chair
And you felt sorry for me
Well - isn't that right?
BOQ
(spoken) No! No! It's because, because...
(sung) Because you are so beautiful!
NESSAROSE
Oh, Boq, I think you're wonderful!
And we deserve each other
Don't you see, this is our chance?
We deserve each other
Don't we, Boq?
BOQ
(spoken) You know what?
(sung) Let's dance.
NESSAROSE
What?!
BOQ
Let's dance!
ALL
Dancing through life
Here at the OzDust
If only because dust
Is what we come to!
And here's the strange thing
Your life could end up changing
While you're dancing
Through!
Videos[]
Trivia[]
- Other attempts that Stephen Schwartz came up with before settling with this song was: "Which Way Is The Party?", "Who Could Say No To You?", "Easy as Winkie Wine", and "We Deserve Each Other."
- In the Original Broadway Cast recording of the album, Norbert Leo Butz can be heard misspeaking the line We can dance till it's light as We can dance till it lights.
- In the San Francisco out-of-town-try-outs, the quote, "What's in the punch?" "Lemons and melons and pears," "Oh my," was originally said by Fiyero and Glinda.
Act 1::
No One Mourns The Wicked • Dear Old Shiz • The Wizard and I • What Is This Feeling? • Something Bad • Dancing Through Life • Popular • I'm Not That Girl • One Short Day • A Sentimental Man • Defying Gravity
Act 2:
Thank Goodness • No Place Like Home (film-exclusive) The Wicked Witch of the East • Wonderful • I'm Not That Girl (Reprise) • As Long As You're Mine • No Good Deed • March Of The Witch Hunters • The Girl in the Bubble (film-exclusive) • For Good • The Melting • A Sentimental Man (Reprise) • Finale
Deleted songs:
As If By Magic • For Goodness Sake • Making Good • Step By Step • Which Way Is The Party?