dancing queen

[Nefertiti]

Hi there.

1. "dig in the dancing queen"
What does 'dig in' mean?

2. "Looking out for the place to go." "Looking out for another, anyone will do."

Do both 'looking out for' have the same definition as shown below?

--- keep watch for somebody or something: to watch for somebody or something to appear ( source: Encarta)

What are the differences between 'look out for' and 'look for'?

3. What does 'get in the swing' mean?

4. "You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life."

What does 'having the time of your life' mean? Is it a common usage?

5. What does 'leave them burning and then you're gone' mean? Is it a common usage?


Thanks,


_________________
The Song

You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life
See that girl, watch that scene, dig in the dancing queen

Friday night and the lights are low
Looking out for the place to go
Where they play the right music, getting in the swing
You come in to look for a king
Anybody could be that guy
Night is young and the music’s high
With a bit of rock music, everything is fine
You’re in the mood for a dance
And when you get the chance...

You are the dancing queen, young and sweet, only seventeen
Dancing queen, feel the beat from the tambourine
You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life
See that girl, watch that scene, dig in the dancing queen

You’re a teaser, you turn ’em on
Leave them burning and then you’re gone
Looking out for another, anyone will do
You’re in the mood for a dance
And when you get the chance...

You are the dancing queen, young and sweet, only seventeen
Dancing queen, feel the beat from the tambourine
You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life
See that girl, watch that scene, dig in the dancing queen

[Naamplao]

Originally Posted by Nefertiti

Hi there.

1. "dig in the dancing queen"
What does 'dig in' mean?

It isn't "dig in" it is probably diggin' short for digging

This is slang for liking/understanding something very much/. In this context the singer likes watching the dancing queen...the girl on the dance floor who is clearly the best dancer.


2. "Looking out for the place to go." "Looking out for another, anyone will do."

Do both 'looking out for' have the same definition as shown below?

--- keep watch for somebody or something: to watch for somebody or something to appear ( source: Encarta)

Looking out inthis context it means searching.
Looking out for another means searching for another girl.


What are the differences between 'look out for' and 'look for'?

3. What does 'get in the swing' mean?

It means to feel the mood of your surroundings...to participate

4. "You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life."

What does 'having the time of your life' mean? Is it a common usage?

It means you are enjoying yourself very much. Yes, it is a common saying.

5. What does 'leave them burning and then you're gone' mean? Is it a common usage?

It means you have the girls burning with desire for you...but you are a tease and leave them this way. No this is not common usage.

Thanks,


_________________
The Song

You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life
See that girl, watch that scene, dig in the dancing queen

Friday night and the lights are low
Looking out for the place to go
Where they play the right music, getting in the swing
You come in to look for a king
Anybody could be that guy
Night is young and the music’s high
With a bit of rock music, everything is fine
You’re in the mood for a dance
And when you get the chance...

You are the dancing queen, young and sweet, only seventeen
Dancing queen, feel the beat from the tambourine
You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life
See that girl, watch that scene, dig in the dancing queen

You’re a teaser, you turn ’em on
Leave them burning and then you’re gone
Looking out for another, anyone will do
You’re in the mood for a dance
And when you get the chance...

You are the dancing queen, young and sweet, only seventeen
Dancing queen, feel the beat from the tambourine
You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life
See that girl, watch that scene, dig in the dancing queen

....

[Nefertiti]

Hi, Naamplao.

Something's still bothering me.

2. "Looking out for the place to go." and "Looking out for another, anyone will do."

Any differences if I rewrite the quotes as "looking for the place to go." and "looking for another, anyone will do"?

3. What does 'get in the swing' mean?
It means to feel the mood of your surroundings...to participate

Is this phrase common? Do you say it often? Can you give a few examples?
Swing is also a type of dance music that was popular in the 1930s and 1940s. Is this definition somehow associated with the song 'dancing queen'?

get into the swing of it/things INFORMAL
to start to understand, enjoy and be active in something:
I hadn't worked in an office for several years, so it took me a while to get back into the swing of it. (Source: Cambridge)

4. "You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life."
Is 'having the time of your life' short for 'having the good time of your life'?

Thanks for your reply. It helps a lot.

[Naamplao]

Originally Posted by Nefertiti

Hi, Naamplao.

Something's still bothering me.

2. "Looking out for the place to go." and "Looking out for another, anyone will do."

Any differences if I rewrite the quotes as "looking for the place to go." and "looking for another, anyone will do"?

It does mean the same thing but don't forget that this is not normal English....it is a song. As such you must make your lyrics have a rhythm. Part of that rhythm is paying attention to the number of syllables in each line...I am sure that is the reason the songwriter chose to say it this way.

3. What does 'get in the swing' mean?
It means to feel the mood of your surroundings...to participate

Is this phrase common? Do you say it often? Can you give a few examples?
Swing is also a type of dance music that was popular in the 1930s and 1940s. Is this definition somehow associated with the song 'dancing queen'?

This song was written and sung in 1975 during the "disco" era. It has a disco beat to it. Swing music has a very different beat and dance style. Swing music is generally thought of as music from the 1940's - Benny Goodman and Duke Ellington orchestras come to mind. There was a brief resurgence in the 1990's.

Swing has a reasonably common usage as slang meaning I am becoming comfortable with something.

How do you like the new job? I'm getting the swing of it!
get into the swing of it/things INFORMAL
to start to understand, enjoy and be active in something:
I hadn't worked in an office for several years, so it took me a while to get back into the swing of it. (Source: Cambridge)

Swing has many many meanings depending on context

4. "You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life."
Is 'having the time of your life' short for 'having the good time of your life'?

Not really, I gave you the meaning in my previous message

Thanks for your reply. It helps a lot.

You are welcome