The song is about how the narrator’s lover has chosen dancing over him. And how he hopes soon the ballerina will dance for him and show that she still loves him.
[Verse 1]
It seems you finally had to choose
I guess there was no other way
Between my love and satin shoes
I knew the words you'd have to say
[Verse 2]
It all began so long ago
That the memory's hardly clear
But when I see you dance, I know
Half your love I'll always share
[Chorus 1]
Ballerina, when you dance, there's music
Colored lights illuminate your movement
Crowded halls anticipate your gentle smile
[Chorus 2]
Ballerina, from the first, I knew that
You would always have to dance. I knew that
There would surely come a day when you would go
Baby, I know...
(Instrumental Interlude)
[Bridge]
Dance for me, I beg of you, dance for me
Dance for me, ballerina, dance for me
La la la la, la la la la, la la la la
La la la la, la la la la, la la la la
Whoa, whoa, whoa
Whoa, whoa, whoa
La la la la, la la la la, la la la la
La la la la, la la la la, la la la la
Whoa, whoa, whoa
Whoa, whoa, whoa
[Chorus 1]
Ballerina, when you dance, there's music
Colored lights illuminate your movement
Crowded halls anticipate your gentle smile
Whoa, whoa
Whoa, whoa
[Outro]
La la la la, la la la la, la la la la
La la la la, la la la la, la la la la
Whoa, whoa, whoa
Whoa, whoa, whoa
La la la la, la la la la, la la la la
La la la la, la la la la, la la la la
Whoa, whoa, whoa
Whoa, whoa, whoa
La la la la, la la la la, la la la la
La la la la, la la la la, la la la la
Whoa, whoa, whoa
Whoa, whoa, whoa
La la la la, la la la la, la la la la
La la la la, la la la la, la la la la
Whoa, whoa, whoa
Whoa, whoa, whoa
Ballerina was written by Tommy Shaw & Dennis DeYoung.
Ballerina was produced by Chuck Panozzo & John Panozzo & James Young & Tommy Shaw & Dennis DeYoung.