Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance/
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance…I hope you dance.

Lee Ann Womack’s “I Hope You Dance” is one of the best cross-over hits. There are very few songs that can appeal to a country audience and a non-country audience. It was written by a team that mostly writes country music, and Womack is a country music artist, but the song has a soft rock feel to it as well.

The message is great—it is one we could all do better to remember. When given an opportunity, take a chance and say “yes”. Supposedly, at the end of your life you have more regrets about the things you didn’t do than the things you did do.  It seems like Womack’s advice is good even if you take it in the most literal sense. Just dance! No one is watching.

The chorus of “I Hope You Dance” is really catchy. I especially like when the background singers sing completely different sentences than the lead. You don’t hear that in many songs, but it is used to great effect here. While the song is great, I think it is ripe for a cover. I would love to hear a less-country version of this song. Just piano or acoustic guitar and a less intense lead vocal, and I think someone could have another hit on their hands.

I Hope You Dance Lyrics

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you’ll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance
I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Livin’ might mean takin’ chances, but they’re worth takin’
Lovin’ might be a mistake, but it’s worth makin’
Don’t let some Hellbent heart leave you bitter
When you come close to sellin’ out, reconsider
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance (Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along)
I hope you dance

I hope you dance (Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder)
I hope you dance (Where those years have gone?)

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you’ll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
Dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance (Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along)
I hope you dance (Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder?)

written by Tia Sillers / Mark Sanders