Dancing Through Life

"Dancing Through Life" is a song from the musical Wicked. It is sung by Glinda (originated by Kristin Chenoweth), Fiyero (originated by Norbert Leo Butz), Boq (originated by Kirk McDonald in the San Francisco tryouts and by Christopher Fitzgerald in the Broadway production), Nessarose (originated by Michelle Federer) and Elphaba (originated by Idina Menzel). The song was composed by Stephen Schwartz.

Lyrics
[FIYERO]

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

[spoken]

So—what's the most swankified place in town?

[GALINDA]

That would be the Ozdust Ballroom

[FIYERO]

Sounds perfect

[sung]

Let's go down to the Ozdust Ballroom

We'll meet there later tonight

We can dance 'til it's light

Find the prettiest girl, give her 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

It's just life

[FIYERO]

So keep dancing through

[BOQ, spoken]

M-Miss Galinda

I hope you'll save at least one dance for me

I'll be right there waiting, all night

[GALINDA]

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, spoken]

Well, maybe... I could invite her!

[GALINDA, sung]

Oh, Boq, really?

You would do that for me?

[BOQ, spoken]

I would do anything for you, Miss Galinda

[GALINDA, spoken]

So...

[FIYERO, spoken]

So I'll be picking you up around eight?

[GALINDA, spoken]

After all—

[sung] Now that we've met one another

[FIYERO & GALINDA]

It's clear we deserve each other

[GALINDA]

You're perfect

[FIYERO]

You're perfect

[FIYERO & GALINDA]

So we're perfect together

Born to be forever

Dancing through life

[NESSAROSE]

Oh, Elphaba, isn't it wonderful?

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

Please, Elphaba try to understand

[ELPHABA]

I do

[spoken]

Galinda, listen

Nessa and I were talking about you just now

[GALINDA, spoken]

And I was just talking about you!

I thought you might want to wear this hat to the party tonight!

[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

[BOQ] Listen, Nessa?

[NESSAROSE, spoken] Yes?

[BOQ, sung] 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] Oh, Boq, I know why

[BOQ] You do?

[NESSAROSE]

It's because I'm in this chair

And you felt sorry for me

Well, isn't that right?

[BOQ]

No! No! It's because, uh, because

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]

You know what?

Let's dance

[NESSAROSE, spoken]

What?!

[BOQ, sung]

Let's dance!

[ALL]

Dancing through life down at the Ozdust

If only because dust is what we come to!

And the strange thing, your life could end up changing

While you're dancing through!