Credits

PERFORMING ARTISTS
Kathy Mattea
Kathy Mattea
Performer
Milton Sledge
Milton Sledge
Drums
Bob Wray
Bob Wray
Bass Guitar
Bobby Wood
Bobby Wood
Keyboards
Pat Flynn
Pat Flynn
Acoustic Guitar
Chris Leuzinger
Chris Leuzinger
Acoustic Guitar
Ray Flacke
Ray Flacke
Electric Guitar
Kenny Malone
Kenny Malone
Percussion
Bruce Bouton
Bruce Bouton
Steel Guitar
Don Williams
Don Williams
Vocals
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
Nanci Griffith
Nanci Griffith
Composer
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Allen Reynolds
Allen Reynolds
Producer
Mark Miller
Mark Miller
Mixing Engineer

Lyrics

Rita was sixteen years
Hazel eyes and chestnut hair
She made the Woolworth counter shine
And Eddie was a sweet romancer
And a darn good dancer
And they'd waltz the aisles of the five and dime
Now, Eddie played the steel guitar
And his momma cried 'cause he played in the bars
He kept young Rita out late at night
So, they married up in Abilene
Lost a child in Tennessee
Oh, and still that love survived
'Cause they'd sing
"Dance a little closer to me
Dance a little closer now
Dance a little closer tonight
Dance a little closer to me
'Cause it's closin' time
And love's on sale tonight
At this five and dime"
One of the boys in Eddie's band
Took a shine to Rita's hand
So Eddie ran off with the bass man's wife
Oh, but he was back by June
Singin' a different tune
And sportin' Miss Rita back by his side
And he sang
"Dance a little closer to me
Dance a little closer, now
Dance a little closer tonight
Dance a little closer to me
'Cause it's closin' time
And love's on sale tonight
At this five and dime"
Eddie traveled with the bar-room band
Till arthritis took his hands
Now he sells insurance on the side
And Rita's got a house to keep
Dime store novels and a love so sweet
They dance to radio late at night
And they sing
"Dance a little closer to me
Dance a little closer now
Dance a little closer tonight
Dance a little closer to me
'Cause it's closin' time
And love's on sale tonight
At this five and dime"
"Dance a little closer to me
Dance a little closer now
Dance a little closer tonight
Dance a little closer to me
'Cause it's closin' time
And love's on sale tonight
At this five and dime"
Written by: Nanci Griffith
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