Now playing

Ten Cents A Dance

Chords

4.88 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Aminor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Intro]
C Am Dm G
[Verse 1]
I Cwork at the AmPalace DmBallroomG  
But, Cgee that AmPalace is DmcheapG  
When CI get Amback to my Emchilly Amhall room
I'm Emmuch too Gtired to Csleep
[Verse 2]
I'm Cone of those Amlady DmteachersG  
A Cbeautiful Amhostess, you Emknow
The Akind the Palace Dfeatures
At Cexactly a Amdime a Gthrow
[Chorus]
CTen cents a dance
DmThat's what they Gpay me
CGosh, how they Dmweigh me Gdown
CTen cents a dance
DmPansies and Grough guys
CTough guys who tear my BmgownE  
EmSeven to Amidnight I Dmhear drums
EmLoudly the Asaxophone Dmblows
FmTrumpets are breaking my Emeardrums
ACustomers crush my DtoesG  
CSometime I think
DmI've found my Ghero
CBut it's a Dmqueer roEmance
AAll that you need is a Dmticket
ECome on, big boy, Gten cents a Cdance
[Bridge]
AmFighters and Esailors and Cbowlegged tailors
Can Cpay for their ticket and rent me
AmButchers and Ebarbers and Amrats from the harbors
Are Csweethearts my good Gluck has sent Cme
EmThough I've a chorus of elderly beaus
FmStockings are porous with holes at the toes
EmI'm there till closing Amtime
GDance and be merry, it's only a dime
[Chorus]
CTen cents a dance
DmThat's what they Gpay me
CGosh, how they Dmweigh me Gdown
CTen cents a dance
DmPansies and Grough guys
CTough guys who tear my BmgownE  
EmSeven to Amidnight I Dmhear drums
EmLoudly the Asaxophone Dmblows
FmTrumpets are breaking my Emeardrums
ACustomers crush my DtoesG  
CSometime I think
DmI've found my Ghero
CBut it's a Dmqueer roEmance
AAll that you need is a Dmticket
ECome on, big boy, Gten cents a Cdance

All chords in this song (10)

🎸 Tips from players

Got a tip for playing this song — capo position, easier chords, strumming? Be the first to share one.

Chord Book

670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com

Ten Cents A Dance

by Ruth Etting

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Intro]

C Am Dm G

[Verse 1]

C Am Dm G

I work at the Palace Ballroom

C Am Dm G

But, gee that Palace is cheap

C Am Em Am

When I get back to my chilly hall room

Em G C

I'm much too tired to sleep

[Verse 2]

C Am Dm G

I'm one of those lady teachers

C Am Em

A beautiful hostess, you know

A D

The kind the Palace features

C Am G

At exactly a dime a throw

[Chorus]

Ten cents a dance

Dm G

That's what they pay me

C Dm G

Gosh, how they weigh me down

Ten cents a dance

Dm G

Pansies and rough guys

C Bm E

Tough guys who tear my gown

Em A Dm

Seven to midnight I hear drums

Em A Dm

Loudly the saxophone blows

Fm Em

Trumpets are breaking my eardrums

A D G

Customers crush my toes

Sometime I think

Dm G

I've found my hero

C Dm E

But it's a queer romance

A Dm

All that you need is a ticket

E G C

Come on, big boy, ten cents a dance

[Bridge]

Am E C

Fighters and sailors and bowlegged tailors

Can pay for their ticket and rent me

Am E Am

Butchers and barbers and rats from the harbors

C G C

Are sweethearts my good luck has sent me

Though I've a chorus of elderly beaus

Stockings are porous with holes at the toes

Em Am

I'm there till closing time

Dance and be merry, it's only a dime

[Chorus]

Ten cents a dance

Dm G

That's what they pay me

C Dm G

Gosh, how they weigh me down

Ten cents a dance

Dm G

Pansies and rough guys

C Bm E

Tough guys who tear my gown

Em A Dm

Seven to midnight I hear drums

Em A Dm

Loudly the saxophone blows

Fm Em

Trumpets are breaking my eardrums

A D G

Customers crush my toes

Sometime I think

Dm G

I've found my hero

C Dm E

But it's a queer romance

A Dm

All that you need is a ticket

E G C

Come on, big boy, ten cents a dance

About Ten Cents A Dance Chords by Ruth Etting

Learn how to play Ten Cents A Dance by Ruth Etting with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Ten Cents A Dance chords”, “Ten Cents A Dance guitar chords”, or “Ruth Etting Ten Cents A Dance chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Ten Cents A Dance chords and for experienced players who want accurate Ten Cents A Dance lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, Am, Dm, G, Em, A.

FAQ — Ten Cents A Dance by Ruth Etting

How do I play "Ten Cents A Dance" by Ruth Etting on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Ten Cents A Dance" by Ruth Etting on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "Ten Cents A Dance" by Ruth Etting free?

Yes. The chords for "Ten Cents A Dance" by Ruth Etting are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Ten Cents A Dance" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Ten Cents A Dance" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "Ten Cents A Dance"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Ten Cents A Dance" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Ten Cents A Dance" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Ten Cents A Dance" by Ruth Etting with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Ruth Etting below.

What key is "Ten Cents A Dance" in?

The chords for "Ten Cents A Dance" show the original chord names (including C, Am, Dm, G, Em, A). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.