What Song Did Rick and Ilsa Dance to in Paris?

By Michael Ferguson

If you’re a fan of classic cinema, then you’ve undoubtedly seen “Casablanca.” This iconic film tells the story of Rick Blaine (played by Humphrey Bogart) and Ilsa Lund (played by Ingrid Bergman), two star-crossed lovers caught up in the chaos of World War II.

One of the most memorable scenes in the movie is when Rick and Ilsa dance together in Paris. But what song did they dance to?

After some research, it turns out that the song they danced to was “As Time Goes By” by Herman Hupfeld. This haunting melody has become synonymous with “Casablanca” and is often played as a romantic theme for Rick and Ilsa.

But how did this song come to be associated with the film? In the early stages of production, “As Time Goes By” wasn’t even considered for the movie’s soundtrack. Instead, a different song called “Everybody’s Doin’ It Now” was written into the script.

However, during filming, director Michael Curtiz decided that “Everybody’s Doin’ It Now” wasn’t quite right for the scene between Rick and Ilsa. He wanted something more sentimental and nostalgic. That’s when he remembered “As Time Goes By,” which had been featured in a minor film several years prior.

Curtiz made the decision to use “As Time Goes By,” despite objections from studio executives who didn’t think it was appropriate for a war movie. But Curtiz knew what he was doing – the song added an emotional depth to Rick and Ilsa’s relationship that wouldn’t have been possible with any other tune.

And so, thanks to Michael Curtiz’s vision, “As Time Goes By” became forever linked with one of Hollywood’s greatest love stories. It just goes to show how important music can be in setting the mood for a film – even one as classic as “Casablanca.”

If you’re a fan of the movie, then you’ll definitely want to check out the soundtrack. “As Time Goes By” is just one of many memorable songs featured in “Casablanca,” and each one adds to the film’s timeless appeal.

So the next time you watch Rick and Ilsa dance together in Paris, listen closely – you’ll hear the strains of “As Time Goes By” in the background, reminding us all that some things truly never do change.