"The lyrics were first written by Oscar Hammerstein II and Otto Harbach for the London musical "Three Sisters", which premiered in 1934. Then when RKO released the screen version in March of 1935, Dorothy Fields and Jimmy McHugh changed the lyrics of the song, only keeping the title which Oscar Hammerstein II originated." I won't dance, don't ask me I won't dance, don't ask me I won't dance madame with you My heart won't let me feet do things that they sould do You know what, you're lovely you know what, you're so lovely And you know what you do to me I'm like an ocean wave that's bumped on the shore I feel so absolutely stumped on the floor When you dance, you're chairming and you're gentle Specially when you do the Continental But this feeling isn't purely mental For heaven rest us, I'm not asbestos And that's why I won't dance, why sould I? I won't dance, how could I? I won't dance, merçi beacoup I know that music lead the way to romance So if I hold you in arms I won't dance I won't dance, don't ask me I won't dance, don't ask me I won't dance madame with you My heart won't let me feet do things that they want to do You know what, you're so lovely, ring a ding-ding, you're lovely And you know what you do to me I'm like an ocean wave that's bumped on the shore I feel so absolutely stumped on the floor When you dance, you're chairming and you're gentle Specially when you do the Continental But this feeling isn't purely mental For heaven rest us, I'm not asbestos And that's why I won't dance, I won't dance I won't dance, merci beaucoup I know that music lead the way to romance So if I hold you in arms I won't dance