Hal… Read Full Bio ↴Audrey Hall (born c.1948, Kingston, Jamaica) is a reggae singer.
Hall began her career singing with Dandy Livingstone in the duo Dandy & Audrey.
They recorded the song "Morning Side of the Mountain" in 1969, the success of which led to an album of the same name. A second album followed on Trojan, I Need You. Livingstone also produced Hall's early solo recordings for his Downtown label. Hall worked as a backing singer through much of the 1970s and early 1980s alongside her sister Pam, including on Jimmy Cliff's Give The People What They Want, and Peter Tosh's Mama Africa, but she made a comeback as a solo artist in 1985 with "One Dance Just Won't Do", an answer record to Beres Hammond's "What One Dance Can Do", produced by Donovan Germain, which took her into the UK top 20. This was followed up by "Smile" in 1986, which repeated her chart success and gave her biggest hit, and "The Best Thing For Me". In 1986, she returned to recording duets, with "Heart Made of Stone" and the album Dynamic Duo, recorded with former Paragon Don Evans. She continued to work with Germain, recording for his Germain and Penthouse labels, and released the album Reggae Zones in 2001.
Discography
Albums
Morning Side of the Mountain (1970) Downtown (Dandy & Audrey)
I Need You (197?) (Dandy & Audrey)
Eight Little Notes (1986) Germain
Just You Just Me (1987) Germain
Dynamic Duo Trojan (Audrey Hall & Don Evans)
Collectors Series (1999) Penthouse
Reggae Zones (2001) Super Power
Singles
"I Second That Emotion" (1968) Downtown (Audrey & The Dreamers)
"Love Me Tonight" (1969) Downtown
"Lover's Concerto" (1969) Downtown
"You'll Lose a Good Thing" (1969) Downtown
"One Fine Day" (1969) Downtown (b-side of Dandy's "Games People Play")
"You Don't Care" (1960) Downtown (Dandy with Audrey)
"Morning Side of the Mountain" (1969) Down Town (Dandy & Audrey)
"One Dance Just Won't Do" (1985) Germain (UK #20)[5]
"Smile" (1986) Germain (UK #14)
"The Best Thing For Me" (1985) Germain (UK #93)
"I Want To Know What Love Is" Germain
"Heart Made of Stone" (with Don Evans)
"All I Need to Know" (1991) Penthouse (with Beres Hammond)
"Open Up Your Eyes" (1999)
"Fade Away" (1999) Barry U (with Don Evans)
One Dance
Audrey Hall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One dance, one dance, just won't do.
You think once dance will do, then I'll go home with you, you're crazy.
It takes much more you see, just to go out with me, you're crazy.
That man standing in your way, he's my man and he don't play, no, no he don't play.
I just wanted to see what he would do if I danced with another man.
I was flirting with you, just to see what he would do, ooh.
I didn't know my touch turned you on so much, while dancing.
That man standing in your way, he's my man and he don't play.
Ooh, I just wanted to see what he would do if I danced with another man.
I was flirting with you, just to see what he would do, wooh, ooh, wooh, ooh, wooh.
I've got to go right now, but I think I know how you're feeling.
I would like to stay a while, just to console your pride, your feelings.
But that man standing in your way, he's my man and he don't play, no, he don't play.
Ooh, I just wanted to see what he would do if I danced with another man.
I was flirting with you, just to see what he would do, ooh, wooh, wooh, wooh.
One dance, one dance just won't do.
One dance, one dance just won't do.
One dance, one dance just won't do.
One dance, one dance just won't do.
The song "One Dance" by Audrey Hall tells the story of a woman who is at a dance club and catches the eye of a man who wants to take her home after one dance. The woman is not interested in him, but she decides to flirt with him just to see how her boyfriend would react. She lets the man hold her hand and dance with her, but ultimately she knows that she belongs to someone else. She eventually tells the man that she has to go and that he needs to understand that the man standing in his way is her boyfriend, who doesn't play games.
This song is about the power dynamics that can exist in relationships and how people use jealousy to test their partner's feelings. The woman in the song is not necessarily trying to be cruel or manipulative, but rather she is looking for reassurance that her boyfriend cares about her. The repeated refrain of "one dance, one dance, just won't do" emphasizes this idea that a single interaction is not enough to validate a relationship, and that trust and commitment are built over time. Ultimately, the song is about the importance of communication and honesty in relationships, even when those conversations may be difficult or uncomfortable.
Line by Line Meaning
One dance, one dance, just won't do.
You think one dance will suffice, but it takes much more to win me over.
You think once dance will do, then I'll go home with you, you're crazy.
Assuming that one dance will lead to intimacy is absurd.
That man standing in your way, he's my man and he don't play, no, no he don't play.
The man you're perceiving as a hindrance is my partner and he doesn't mess around.
I just wanted to see what he would do if I danced with another man.
I was testing my partner's reaction to me dancing with someone else.
I let you hold my hand, squeeze me with all your might while dancing.
I allowed you to hold my hand tightly while we danced.
I didn't know my touch turned you on so much, while dancing.
I was unaware that my touch was arousing you during the dance.
Ooh, I just wanted to see what he would do if I danced with another man.
Once again, I was trying to gauge my partner's reaction if I danced with a different man.
I've got to go right now, but I think I know how you're feeling.
I have to depart at the moment, but I believe I understand your sentiments.
I would like to stay a while, just to console your pride, your feelings.
Although I cannot stay, I wish to comfort your ego and emotions.
One dance, one dance just won't do.
Emphasizing that one dance will not fulfill your desires.
One dance, one dance just won't do.
Reiterating that a single dance is not enough.
One dance, one dance just won't do.
Insisting once again that one dance is not sufficient.
One dance, one dance just won't do.
Continuing to emphasize that one dance will not meet your expectations.
Contributed by Layla C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@djre1697
2021 and this song is still sounding ๐ฅ also the Beres Hammond male perspective cut is ๐ฅ too . Classics tunes can never die.
@66marcia66
facts!!!
@Imforeverenglish
Another epic song discovered via the medium of David Rodigan back in the day .....she is such an underrated talent and her songs just hit the soul
@judyblack3677
2019 and still sounds as good as way back when...... LOVE IT!!
@pixxielonjiot53
2021 luvit ๐๐พ
@garysmith124
This takes me back one of the all time greats from a female artist ๐ค๐ถ
@isabellacampello5347
Such a classic these songs will never go out of style Iโm 26 and I grew up on these gems
@anaiscatton2234
Still a good tune โค๏ธ
@sugerlipsxjamiewright4170
Great classic track timeless style !โ๏ธ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅโ๐พ๐ถ๐ฅฐ
@sainttoine5791
I was actually at my first reggae party when this song came on and the girl I was dancing with did as the song says. Life imitating art