Download    There you are on stage, cranking out rock’n’roll or disco or rhythm and blues, when someone walks up and asks for (groan) a waltz.  And they never say which waltz – just “a waltz”.  I’ve never been fond of the 3/4 time signature – seems way too repetitive to me – and irritating. As a child, when you went to your first dance and didn’t know how to dance, your mother leaped in with glee and showed you how to (groan again) waltz:  1,2,3 and turn.  Remember that?  However, my mother taught me how to “jitterbug” first… explains a lot.  But, take my word for it, most bands hate a waltz.

Patti Page’s biggest hit was with this song in 1950.  But, Patti,  the premise is just wrong on a number of levels.  First line:  “I was dancing with my darling – to the Tennessee Waltz“.  I’ll bet you a dollar to a doughnut that this is the couple who requested this dance.  The band hates you both.  Next line: “When an old friend I happened to see“.  She’s not paying attention.  A waltz is supposed to be a very personal and intimate dance.  But Patti is looking around for someone to talk to – bad form.  Now we hear:  “I introduced her to my loved one – and while they were dancing” –  Hold it!  You just got introduced to a person you’ve never met and the first thing you do is ask her to dance?  Have you ever done that… even once?  Of course not.   Finally:  “My friend stole my sweetheart from me“.  Whoa!!!  Sweetheart?  Friend?  I don’t think so!  Now this little tramp is waltzing your sweetie out the door (no pun intended).

Flawed as it is, this song is a good one to do if you just have to play a waltz – and you can make fun of the lyrics as you go along.  It’s on the country list because it has that kind of flavor.  I think Mom was right – jitterbugging is a whole lot more fun!