Can You Do It
Groove Through Life: Embracing the Easy Rhythm of 'Can You Do It' by The Contours
Lyrics
I went to a dance, just the other night.
I attended a dance recently.
Other night, other night, other night.
Repetition for emphasis on the timing of the event.
The dance they was doin' there, it was out of sight.
The dance being performed was impressive or outstanding.
Out-a-sight, out-a-sight, out-a-sight.
Reiteration of the greatness of the dance.
I knew right away, yeah, that there was nothing to it.
I quickly realized that it was easy to do.
Nothin' to it, nothin' to it, nothin' to it.
Emphasizing the simplicity of the dance.
I could tell right away, oh boy, even I could do it.
It was evident that even I could perform the dance.
Even I could do it, I could do it, I could do it.
Repetition highlighting the accessibility of the dance.
Well, first step: you got to move to the left.
First step in the dance: move to the left.
Second step: you got to go for yourself.
Second step: dance independently or for your own enjoyment.
Third step: well, you're doin' alright.
Third step: assurance that you are doing well in the dance.
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh!
Expression of excitement or joy.
Grab yourself a partner, then you start it movin' too.
Invitation to find a dance partner and join the movement.
To and fro, to and fro, to and fro.
Describing the back-and-forth motion of the dance.
The next thing you know, hey, you want to do it some more.
Once engaged, the desire to continue dancing grows.
Do it some more, do it some more, do it some more.
Repetition emphasizing the urge to continue.
I knew right away, yeah, that there was nothing to it.
Reiteration that the dance is easy to perform.
Nothin' to it, nothin' to it, nothin' to it.
Emphasizing the simplicity of the dance once again.
I could tell right away, oh boy, even I could do it.
Confidence that anyone, even the speaker, can do the dance.
Even I could do it, I could do it, I could do it.
Repetition underscoring the accessibility of the dance.
Yeah, first step: you got to move to the left.
Reiteration of the first step: move to the left.
Second step: you got to go for yourself.
Restating the second step: dance for yourself.
Third step: well, you're doin' alright.
Confirmation that the dancer is doing well.
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh!
Expression of excitement or joy, repeated for emphasis.
You grab yourself a partner, then you start it movin' too.
Encouragement to find a dance partner and join the movement.
To and fro, to and fro, to and fro.
Describing the rhythmic movement of the dance.
You get out on the floor and start doin' it some more.
Transition from individual dancing to dancing together.
Do it some more, do it some more, do it some more.
Repetition emphasizing the desire to continue dancing.
I knew right away, yeah, that there was nothing to it.
Reiteration that the dance is easy to perform.
Nothin' to it, nothin' to it, nothin' to it.
Emphasizing the simplicity of the dance once again.
I could tell right away, oh boy, even I could do it.
Confidence that anyone, even the speaker, can do the dance.
Even I could do it, I could do it, I could do it.
Repetition underscoring the accessibility of the dance.
I went to a dance just the other night.
Repetition of the experience of attending a recent dance.
Other night, other night, other night.
Repetition for emphasis on the timing of the event.
The dance they was doin', yeah, it was out of sight.
Reiteration of the greatness of the dance being performed.
Out-a-sight, out-a-sight, out-a-sight.
Repetition emphasizing the impressive nature of the dance.
I knew right away, yeah, there was nothing to it.
Reiteration that the dance is easy to perform.
Nothin' to it, nothin' to it, nothin' to it.
Emphasizing the simplicity of the dance once again.
I could tell right away, oh boy, even I could do it.
Confidence that anyone, even the speaker, can do the dance.
Even I could do it, I could do it, I could do it.
Repetition underscoring the accessibility of the dance.
I went to the dance.
Reiteration of attending a dance.
I went to the dance.
Reiteration of attending a dance, closing the lyrics.
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