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 song "Dancing in the Street" was released in 1985 as a collaboration between David Bowie and Mick Jagger. It is a cover of the original song recorded by Martha and the Vandellas in 1964. The song talks about the universal language of music and how it brings people together. The lyrics mention different locations around the world where people are dancing to the beat of the music.
The first verse sets the scene of the song, where there’s a call to people all around the world to get ready to dance to the brand new beat. The chorus encourages everyone to come together and dance, disregarding their clothing or social class. The second verse mentions specific locations, such as Chicago, New Orleans, Philadelphia, and L.A, where people are dancing in the street. The song ends with the same message of everyone dancing around the world and the repetition of the chorus.
Overall, the song portrays music as a uniting force that transcends borders, race, and even language, bringing people together through dance and celebration.
Line by Line Meaning
Okay Tokyo, South America, Australia, France, Germany, UK, Africa
Let's get ready to party and dance, no matter where you are in the world - Tokyo, South America, Australia, France, Germany, UK or Africa.
Calling out around the world
Announcing the big news all over the world and inviting everyone to join in.
Are you ready for a brand new beat?
Asking the listeners if they are ready to dance to a new and exciting rhythm.
Summer's here and the time is right
For dancing in the street
Summer is the perfect time to hit the streets and dance with everyone.
They're dancing in Chicago (dancing in the street)
Down in New Orleans (dancing in the street)
In New York City (dancing in the street)
People are dancing in different cities all around the world, including Chicago, New Orleans and New York City.
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
Music is all we need to get the party started and people will be dancing everywhere to the rhythm of the music.
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
What people wear is not important as long as they show up and join in the fun. Everyone is invited to dance, and guys are encouraged to ask girls to dance with them.
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
The song is an invitation for everyone to come together and dance in the streets, meet and have fun. People will be enjoying themselves, singing and laughing while the music plays.
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)
People in different cities such as Philadelphia, Baltimore, DC, and countries like Brazil and USSR are dancing on the streets. It doesn't matter where one is, they can still join in on the fun.
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)
People in Los Angeles are dancing on the streets every day, and even across China, people are dancing. The song encourages all to join in the fun, including the listeners.
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 song concludes by reiterating that there will be dancing in the streets all over the world, and the infectious beat will get everyone moving to the rhythm.
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