[Verse:]
The the'ter, the the'ter
What's happened to the the'ter?
Especially where dancing is concerned
[1st refrain:]
Chaps who did taps aren't tapping anymore
They're doing choreography
Chicks who did kicks aren't kicking anymore
They're doing choreography
Queens with routines
That would stop the show in days that used to be
One and all they're not chancing
What we used to call dancing
Instead of dance, it's choreography
[2]
Jakes who did breaks aren't breaking anymore
They're doing choreography
Who did softshoe doesn't do it anymore
They're doing choreography
Heps who did steps
That would stop the show in days that used to be
Through the air they keep flying
Like a duck that is dying
Instead of dance, it's choreography
[As sung in the film:]
The the'ter, the the'ter
What's happened to the the'ter?
Especially where dancing is concerned
Chaps who did taps aren't tapping anymore
They're doing choreography
Chicks who did kicks aren't kicking anymore
They're doing choreography
Heps who did steps
That would stop the show in days that used to be
Through the air they keep flying
Like a duck that is dying
Instead of dance, it's choreography