What key is "I Won't Dance" in?

"I Won't Dance" by Jerome Kern is in the key of C with a tempo of 140 BPM. Difficulty: easy.

Is "I Won't Dance" easy to play on piano?

Yes — this arrangement is rated easy, meaning it uses simple chord patterns and a manageable tempo. Most beginners can play through it in 1-3 practice sessions using our color-coded notes.

Can I play "I Won't Dance" without reading sheet music?

Yes. Our player offers a falling-notes mode (Synthesia-style) and a beginner mode with color-coded keys — both let you play along without reading traditional notation.

How long does it take to learn "I Won't Dance" on piano?

1–3 short practice sessions for the basics; 2–3 weeks to perform confidently with both hands.

What other songs by Jerome Kern can I play here?

Try "SMOKE GETS IN YOUR EYES", "NOBODY ELSE BUT ME", "WHY DO I LOVE YOU?". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

I won’t (C#dim)dance!

Don’t (Dm7)ask me; I won’t (C#dim)dance!

Don’t (Dm7)ask me; I won’t (C#dim)dance,

ma (Dm7)dame, with (C)you,

My heart won’t (F)let my feet do (Fm)things they should do!

You know (C#dim)what?

You’re (Dm7)love ly.

And so (C#dim)what?

I’m (Dm7)love ly!

But oh, (C#dim)what

you (Dm7)do to (C)me!

I’m like an (F)o cean wave that’s (Fm)bumped on the shore;

I feel so (F)ab so lute ly (Fm)stumped on the floor!

(Ab)When you dance; you’re charm ing and you’re (Ab7)gen tle,

(Db)’spec ially when you do the “Con ti (Db7)nen tal.”

(B7)But this feel ing is n’t pure ly (C7)men tal;

for, heav en (Am)rest us,

I’m not as (Fmaj7)bes tos.

And that’s why I won’t (C#dim)dance!

Why (Dm7)should I?

I won’t (C#dim)dance!

How (Dm7)could I?

I won’t (C#dim)dance!

Mer (Dm7)ci beau (C)coup!

I know that (F)mu sic leads the (Fm)way to ro mance:

(CN.C.)So if I hold you in my (G7)arms, I won’t (C)dance.

I Won't Dance by Jerome Kern

Easy piano arrangement in the key of C at 140 BPM. Difficulty: easy. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

About “I Won't Dance”

What key is "I Won't Dance" in?: "I Won't Dance" by Jerome Kern is in the key of C with a tempo of 140 BPM. Difficulty: easy.
Is "I Won't Dance" easy to play on piano?: Yes — this arrangement is rated easy, meaning it uses simple chord patterns and a manageable tempo. Most beginners can play through it in 1-3 practice sessions using our color-coded notes.
Can I play "I Won't Dance" without reading sheet music?: Yes. Our player offers a falling-notes mode (Synthesia-style) and a beginner mode with color-coded keys — both let you play along without reading traditional notation.
How long does it take to learn "I Won't Dance" on piano?: 1–3 short practice sessions for the basics; 2–3 weeks to perform confidently with both hands.
What other songs by Jerome Kern can I play here?: Try "SMOKE GETS IN YOUR EYES", "NOBODY ELSE BUT ME", "WHY DO I LOVE YOU?". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.