The Best Fred Astaire quotes

Dancing is a sweat job. — Fred Astaire

Dancing is a vertical interpretation of a horizontal intention. — Fred Astaire

I don’t want to be the oldest performer in captivity… I don’t want to look like a little old man dancing out there. — Fred Astaire

I don’t remember anybody ever pointing me out as a dancing prodigy, but I played a not bad second base. — Fred Astaire

I have no desire to prove anything by my work. I have never used it as an outlet or as a means of expressing myself. I just dance. — Fred Astaire

This search for what you want is like tracking something that doesn’t want to be tracked. It takes time to get a dance right, to create something memorable. — Fred Astaire

Why didn’t you tell me I was in love with you? — Fred Astaire

There comes a day when people begin to say, ‘Why doesn’t that old duffer retire?’ I want to get out while they’re still saying Astaire is a hell of a dancer. — Fred Astaire

The hardest job kids face today is learning good manners without seeing any. — Fred Astaire

We attend to his later performances as a dramatic actor with respect, but watching the nondancing, nonsinging Astaire is like watching a grounded skylark. — Fred Astaire

Of course, Ginger was able to accomplish sex through dance. We told more through our movements instead of the big clinch. We did it all in the dance. — Fred Astaire

And that love that wrinkles your nose touches my foolish heart. — Fred Astaire

Be yourself–but don’t be conspicuous. — Fred Astaire

Disco is just jitterbug. — Fred Astaire

The higher up you go, the more mistakes you are allowed. Right at the top, if you make enough of them, it’s considered to be your style. — Fred Astaire

Do it big, do it right and do it with style. — Fred Astaire

When you’re experimenting you have to try so many things before you choose what you want, and you may go days getting nothing but exhaustion. — Fred Astaire

I’m just a hoofer with a spare set of tails. — Fred Astaire

Oh, God! That boy moves in a very exceptional way. That’s the greatest dancer of the century. — Fred Astaire

Can’t act. Can’t sing. Slightly bald. Can dance a little. — Fred Astaire

People think I was born in top hat and tails. — Fred Astaire

I don’t like top hats, white ties, and tails. — Fred Astaire

I just put my feet in the ground and move them around. — Fred Astaire

I had some ballet training but didn’t like it. It was like a game to me. — Fred Astaire

If the dance is right, there shouldn’t be a single superfluous movement. — Fred Astaire

Either the camera will dance, or I will. — Fred Astaire

I often take a brand–new suit or hat and throw it up against the wall a few times to get that stiff, square newness out of it. — Fred Astaire

Some people seem to think that good dancers are born, but all the good dancers I have known are taught or trained.. — Fred Astaire

If we followed our own advice, we’d be successful. — Fred Astaire

I am bit sending messages with my feet. All I ever wanted was not to come up empty. I did it for the dough and the old applause. — Fred Astaire

It takes time to get a dance right, to create something memorable. — Fred Astaire

I have no desire to prove anything by dancing … I just dance. — Fred Astaire