The original plan was to perform a track together live, with Bowie performing at Wembley Stadium and Jagger at the JFK Stadium, until it was realised that the satellite link-up would cause a half-second delay that would make this impossible.
Instead, the pair decided to cover “Dancing in the Street” (having rejected an earlier possibility, “One Love” by Bob Marley). In June 1985, Bowie was recording his contributions to the Absolute Beginners soundtrack at Abbey Road, and so Jagger arranged to fly in to record the track there. A rough mix of the track was completed in just four hours, at which point the pair went straight out to London’s docklands to film a video with director David Mallet. Thirteen hours after the start of recording, this also was completed. Jagger arranged for some minor musical overdubs in New York.
The video (featuring both stars mugging furiously, and sending each other up) was shown twice at the Live Aid event, with Jagger also performing it live at the US concert (Tina Turner taking Bowie’s vocals). Soon afterwards the track was issued as a single, with all profits going to the charity. “Dancing in the Streets” topped the UK charts for four weeks, and reached #7 in America.
Bowie and Jagger would perform the song once more, at the Princes’ Trust Concert on 20 June 1986. It is the last UK #1 single to date for Bowie, and the only #1 success for Jagger in his native country as a solo artist. The song has since featured on several Bowie compilations.
Dancing In The Street
David Bowie & Mick Jagger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tokyo, South America, Australia, France, Germany, UK, Africa
Calling out around the world
Are you ready for a brand new beat?
Summer's here and the time is right
For dancing in the street
Down in New Orleans (dancing in the street)
In New York City (dancing in the street)
All we need is music, sweet music ( sweet sweet music)
There'll be music everywhere (everywhere)
They'll be swinging, swaying, records playing
Dancing in the street, oh
It doesn't matter what you wear
Just as long as you are there
So come on, every guy, grab a girl
Everywhere, around the world
They'll be dancing, dancing in the street
(Dancing in the street)
It's an invitation across the nation, a chance for folks to meet
They'll be laughing and singing and music swinging
Dancing in the street
Philadelphia, PA (dancing in the street)
Baltimore and DC now (dancing in the street)
Don't forget the Motor City (dancing in the street)
On the streets of Brazil (dancing in the street)
Back in the USSR (dancing in the street)
Don't matter where you are (dancing in the street)
All we need is music, sweet music (sweet sweet music)
There'll be music everywhere (everywhere)
They'll be swinging, swaying, records playing
Dancing in the street, oh
It doesn't matter what you wear
Just as long as you are there
So come on every guy, grab a girl
Everywhere, around the world
They'll be dancing, dancing in the street
(Dancing in the street)
Way down in L.A., everyday
Dancing in the street (dancing in the street)
Crossin' China, too, me and you
Dancing in the street (dancing in the street)
Don't you know they'll be dancing
Dancing in the street (dancing in the street)
Don't you know they'll be d-d-d-d-dancing
Dancing in the street (dancing in the street)
The lyrics to David Bowie and Mick Jagger's "Dancing in the Street" describe the unifying power of music as it brings people together to dance and enjoy life. The song begins by listing different countries and continents where people are dancing in the streets: Tokyo, South America, Australia, France, Germany, UK, Africa, and the United States. The singer then calls out to everyone around the world, asking if they're ready for a brand new beat. The chorus emphasizes that all people need is music to start dancing in the street, regardless of what they're wearing or where they are.
The second verse expands on the global nature of dancing, referencing Philadelphia, Baltimore, DC, and Brazil, and eventually ending with a nod to the Soviet Union. The song emphasizes that music can bring happiness and unity to people across borders and cultures. The repeated phrases in the chorus invite listeners to join in the fun, and the final lines of the song suggest that people all around the world will be dancing in the street. Overall, the song speaks to the idea that music can serve as a universal language, capable of bringing people together in a time of division and disparity.
Line by Line Meaning
O.k., Tokyo, South America, Australia, France
Listing off various locations around the world.
Calling out around the world, are you ready for a brand-new beat?
Asking if people are prepared for a new style of music.
Summer's here and the time is right for dancing in the street
Indicating that it's summertime and perfect for dancing outdoors.
They're dancing in Chicago - dancing in the street
Describing people dancing in the streets of Chicago.
Down in New Orleans - dancing in the street
Describing people dancing in the streets of New Orleans.
In New York City - dancing in the street
Describing people dancing in the streets of New York City.
All we need is music, sweet music, there'll be music everywhere
Stating that music is all that's required for dancing to occur everywhere.
There'll be swinging and swaying and records playing, dancing in the street
Describing people moving and grooving to records being played in the streets.
It doesn't matter what you wear just as long as you are there
People can wear whatever they want as long as they join the dancing.
So come on, every guy grab a girl, everywhere around the world
Urging people to join in the festivities and dance together.
This is an invitation across the nation, a chance for folks to meet
Inviting people across the country to dance together and meet one another.
There'll be laughing and singing and music swinging, dancing in the street
Describing the joyful and lively atmosphere created by all the dancing.
Philadelphia P. A. - dancing in the street
Describing people dancing in the streets of Philadelphia.
Baltimore and D.C., now - dancing in the street
Describing people dancing in the streets of Baltimore and Washington D.C.
Don't forget the Motor City - dancing in the street
Reminding listeners that people are also dancing in the streets of Detroit.
On the streets of Brazil - dancing in the street
Describing people dancing in the streets of Brazil.
Back in the USSR - dancing in the street
Describing people dancing in the streets of the former Soviet Union.
Don't matter where you are - dancing in the street
Implying that people all over the world are dancing in the streets.
Way down in L. A., everyday dancing in the street
Describing people dancing in the streets of Los Angeles daily.
Across in China, too, me and you dancing in the street
Describing dancing occurring in the streets of China too.
Don't you know they'll be dancing, dancing in the street
Emphasizing that people are already dancing in the streets and will continue to do so.
Dancing in the street
Reiterating that people are dancing in the streets all over the world.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Marvin Gaye, William Stevenson, Ivy Hunter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@SpitfireFortyFour
The fact this appears to have been made on a budget of £5 makes it so much better.
-Random abandoned building.
-Bowie appears to be in his pyjamas plus a trench coat.
-Using car headlights instead if proper lighting.
-Mick drinking Pepsi mid recording.
-Nothing in the video apart from Bowie and Jagger fucking around.
11/10
@vantheman452
Director: “Do whatever you want, I don’t give a shit”
@lukebuchwald9252
Rock 'n roll is the only profession where "don't give a shit" is the main core competency
@landothepeepeehead
I’m dead lmao
@dickpunch
Dude, it’s true. They had a couple hours to throw this song/video together. Likely told them to do whatever. They couldn’t even edit out Jagger taking a Diet Coke break.
@lukebuchwald9252
@@dickpunch --- that Diet Coke break always cracked me up --- basically Jagger telling the film crew to "fuck off" because he was thirsty and didnt care about wasting videotape LOL
@paulene4881
HAHA
@marsmontufar6319
My last two braincells at three in the morning
@CeltadzManicure
AndTheEarthSang by far the best comment on this video. (I have big thumbs)
@bnatalie10
Brilliant!
@user-tc8ls4xe6i
BITCH YES