I Can't Tell a Waltz from a Tango

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"I Can't Tell a Waltz from a Tango" is a popular song.

It was written by Al Hoffman and Dick Manning and published in 1954.

The best known version in the United States was recorded by Patti Page; the best-known version in the United Kingdom by Alma Cogan. Both were recorded in 1954.

The Page recording was released by Mercury Records as catalog number 70458, with the flip side "The Mama Doll Song." It entered the Billboard chart on October 16, 1954 at #30, the only week it charted.

The recording by Alma Cogan was released in 1954 by HMV as a 78rpm recording (catalog number B10786) and a 45rpm recording (catalog number 7M 271). It reached #6 on the UK charts. The flip side was "Christmas Cards".

It was often used in the BBC comedy radio programme, The Goon Show, by Ray Ellington and his quartet. This performance of it added extra, Goons-style humour, with members of the cast joining in.