"123123"....

“123123….” 

That’s what Ginger said to Fred when she was “teaching him” to dance the waltz (!) in the RKO musical “Swing Time”. 

Ginger is a music instructor, and Fred wants to get to know her, so he pretends he cannot dance.  They try doing "123123" and Fred ends up falling on the floor.  

They then sing  “Pick Yourself Up. Dust Yourself Off. Start All Over Again!” 

But when they try the 123123 again, and they both fall flat.

Ginger tells Fred, "No one could teach you to dance in a million years. Take my advice and save your money." 

Which, unfortunately, is overheard by her boss, Mr. Gordon, who promptly fires her.

In order to save her job, Fred asks her to show him the "step" that she taught him, and then says, "Shall we try it right through...?"

What follows is arguably their best dance number - and one of those numbers they were famous for, where they (ha!) “make it up as they go along”. They waltz, tap, leap, and swing around the dance floor, exhibiting a great deal of joy.  We are mesmerized by their dancing, as well we should be.

Classic fun stuff!  

"123123" is ALSO the number for the last day of this year: 12/31/23. 

Ok. Lots can be said:

First: 2024 is at hand: "Shall we try it right through...?"

Second: Waltz your way into the New Year. 

Third: Make it up as you go along. 

Fourth: You’re a whole lot better at this dance of life than anyone suspects! 

And, remember: If you slip: “Pick Yourself Up. Dust Yourself Off. Start All Over Again!” (The song from the dance number was composed in 1936 by Jerome Kern, with lyrics by Dorothy Fields). 

P. S. If you haven’t seen this "Heaven, Sheer Heaven" dance number, you can watch it on YouTube. Go for the five minutes clip to get the whole scene.