Teachable Moments: John Michael Montgomery’s ‘Life’s a Dance’

The hit ballad offers advice on how to achieve a life well-lived.

A detail of “Summer Night,” 1890, by Winslow Homer. Oil on canvas. Musician John Michael Montgomery’s breakout hit “Life’s a Dance” embodies his philosophical outlook. Public Domain

Roman Emperor and Stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius once said, “The art of living is more like wrestling than dancing.” However, if you ask country singer John Michael Montgomery what the art of living is like, he’d probably disagree.

For him, life is all about the art of the dance, and his breakout hit, “Life’s a Dance,” embodies this philosophical outlook. The classic country song provides moral support while guiding listeners on how to gracefully navigate life’s ups and downs.

Lessons Learned

A detail of John Michael Montgomery’s 1992 album cover for "Life's A Dance." Internet Archive. Public Domain

In the fall of 1992, Montgomery released the leading single and title track to his debut album, “Life’s a Dance.” The folksy country song with a memorable violin riff opens with the narrator missing out on a chance at young love because he was too scared to talk to the girl he fancied. This missed opportunity acts as the catalyst for the message of the song, which is driven home by the chorus lyrics.

Life’s a dance You learn as you go Sometimes you lead Sometimes you follow.

As listeners follow along with the narrator’s journey, a coming-of-age story takes place, with many lessons learned, including how to communicate effectively and embrace adversity.

The longer I live the more I believe, You do have to give if you wanna receive There’s a time to listen, a time to talk And you might have to crawl even after you walk.

From the Back Porch to the Stage

The single’s gentle nature and lyrical honesty regarding life’s highs and lows resonated with country music listeners in the early 1990s. “Life’s a Dance” climbed all the way to the fourth spot on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, creating a solid foundation for the performer. Several number one hits followed, including “I Love the Way You Love Me,” the follow up to his debut “Life’s a Dance” single.

Though Montgomery didn’t realize it at the time, songs like “Life’s a Dance” were more milestones than stepping stones—ones that would set him up as a performer of timeless country songs, whose specialty is found in the contemplative and romantic ballad.

During an interview with media outlet Sounds Like Nashville, the Danville, Kentucky native shared how much the tune mirrors his personal life.

“I think back to when I was just playing … in Central Kentucky, and Lexington, I didn’t have a clue what was going to happen. I knew I was going to be picking and singing the rest of my life, whether that was on somebody’s back porch or on the stage.”

He continued, sharing how the tune, penned by songwriters Steve Seskin and Allen Shamblin, reflected much of his own life as well.

“I was fortunate enough to be discovered here in Kentucky, and to be able to come up with a song like ‘Life’s a Dance’ to kick the career off, that’s pretty much how my life was—my dad was a guitar player and singer, and my mom played drums and sang. … It was a really cool way of growing up.”

Included in his musical family is brother Eddie Montgomery, one-half of the country music duo, Montgomery Gentry. In 2017, Troy Gentry passed away in a tragic helicopter accident. Eddie still performs under their band’s name in honor of his dear friend and late music partner.

A ‘Funny Part to the Story’

A compact disc insert with John Michael Montgomery’s portrait from his 1992 album "Life's A Dance." Internet Archive. Public Domain

Despite his unexpected, rapid success with “Life’s a Dance,” there was a time when a fan could hear Montgomery play his hit single for just a few dollars. Even after the song debuted, he fulfilled his show commitments to several modest live music venues in Lexington, Kentucky. He referred to this time during his early performance days as a “funny part to the story.”

“I had some shows booked off of ‘Life’s a Dance,’ but they weren’t until down the road. I’ve still got to make a living. You could pay five bucks to come in and hear me sing ‘Life’s a Dance.’”

Recently, Montgomery announced on social media that after his “Road to Home” farewell tour, which is currently underway, he'll retire from touring life. However, he did suggest he’d still “do a show here and there” because he’d “miss that too much.”

“I’ll never forget the first time I stepped foot on a tour bus for my first show back in 1992, with my first single ‘Life’s a Dance’ just coming out on radio. It was so surreal to me. And of course like any new artist would, I worried about how long it would last and hoped it would not be a ‘flash in the pan’ career. So every album, every song, and every year of being able to do what I love for so many years, and for the fans who have supported me and my music, I’ve cherished those moments very deeply.”

Whether playing for large arena crowds or an intimate venue, Montgomery views his gifts of making music and sharing it with people as a blessing.

“I’m enjoying my life getting to go up and down the road singing the hits I was fortunate to have, and the fans still seem to enjoy them. I love being on the road picking and singing—that was always my biggest reason for being in the music business and to be able to get up on stage and sing songs for people is something I am blessed to do.”

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