Do you ever dance like nobody’s watching? The phrase has been attributed to a variety of people including Mark Twain, Satchel Paige, and William Purkey. But who actually started it and why?
Quote Investigator give a detailed investigation of who quoted it and who (wrongly) attributed it. They cite songwriters Susanna Clark and Richard Leigh as originators, with their 1987 song “Come from the Heart” which includes the lines
You’ve got to sing like you don’t need the money
Love like you’ll never get hurt
You’ve got to dance like nobody’s watchin’
It’s gotta come from the heart if you want it to work
But why am I telling you this?
Good Question.
It’s because the phrase came to me the other night when I was at the Group Travel Awards.
The gala dinner was held at the Park Plaza Riverank Hotel in London. This year Matt Johnson, Welsh broadcaster and former This Morning presenter, was on hand to to present the awards. The evening stared with a drinks reception and music from Wicked performed by Louise Dearman. Following dinner the entertainment continued with music from The Chip Shop Boys.
Which brings me back to dance like nobody’s watching. While everyone else on the dance floor appeared to be with colleagues, I was the only attendee from the ITM Games group. Now I could have sat on the sidelines, tapping my foot……….or I could have done what I did, and joined the dance floor.
I’ve always wished I could be part of a couple that twirls around the dance floor. Strictly come dancing style. But even if my husband had been able to join me, we are not that couple.
My dancing style – 80’s disco – didn’t involve being held by a partner, except in the smooch at the end of the night. And over the years, my dancing has become more mom dancing.
But it’s not the first time have I danced by myself. When we were at a hotel in Weymouth last year and the resident band played classic status quo, I was the only one brave enough to do the required dance. If you don’t know it you can try looking it up on Youtube although I struggled to find an example. This is the best I could find. According to my husband there was a look of admiration and horror on the bands faces. Suppose not many people take them up on the offer, being more of a foxtrot and quick step audience.
Stop worrying about what people think.
OK , so maybe people are watching you……….but who cares. If you are enjoying yourself, what does it matter. And maybe there are other people in the audience who would love to join you but are not as brave. Life is too short to not have a good time.
Dancing lift your spirits and is a great form of exercise.
So next time you feel like dancing, go for it. After all, dancing is good for you.
Just remember to enjoy yourself when you dance like nobody’s watching