Dancing in the Street
David Bowie feat. Mick Jagger Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

OK,
Tokio, 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 streets
They're dancing in Chicago
Down in New Orleans
In New York City

All we need is music, sweet music
There'll be music 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

It's an invitation across the nation, a chance for folks to meet
They'll be laughing and singing, music swinging
Dancing in the street

Philadelphia, PA
Baltimore in DC now
Don't forget the motor city
On the streets of Brazil
Back in the USSR
No matter where you are

All we need is music, sweet music
There'll be music 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 streets

Way down in L.A., everyday
Dancing in the streets
Cross in China too
Me and you
Dancing in the street

Don't you know




They'll be dancing
Dancing in the street (repeat)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of David Bowie's "Dancing in the Street" is an invitation to everyone to come together and dance in the streets with music as the unifying force that crosses all borders. Bowie and Mick Jagger sing about how music brings people together, no matter what their nationality or social class, in a joyous celebration of life. The song transcends cultures, races, and genders, as it celebrates the universality of music, the energy of the summer and the simple pleasure of dancing in the street.


The song moves from city to city, inviting everyone to join in the global dance party, from Tokyo to South America, from Australia to France, Germany, the UK, and Africa. The music is sweet and everywhere, and people respond to it by swinging, swaying, and dancing in the streets, irrespective of what they are wearing. The song highlights the inclusive nature of music and the fact that it can bring people together in the celebration of life and the joyous affirmation of the human spirit.


Line by Line Meaning

Calling out around the world
Announcing worldwide


Are you ready for a brand new beat
Preparing for a new rhythm


Summer's here and the time is right
It's summertime and it's the right moment


For dancing in the streets
To dance outside in public areas


They're dancing in Chicago
People are dancing in Chicago


Down in New Orleans
People are dancing in New Orleans


In New York City
People are dancing in New York City


All we need is music, sweet music
The only requirement is music


There'll be music everywhere
Music will be available everywhere


They'll be swinging, swaying, records playing,
People will be dancing, moving and music played from records


Dancing in the street, oh
Dancing in public areas


It doesn't matter what you wear, just as long as you are there
Attire isn't important, being present is


So come on, every guy, grab a girl, everywhere, around the world
Inviting everyone, men and women, from any location


They'll be dancing, dancing in the street
People will be dancing outside in public areas


It's an invitation across the nation, a chance for folks to meet
This is an invitation for those in the country to gather and socialize


They'll be laughing and singing, music swinging
People will have a good time laughing, singing and enjoying the music


Philadelphia, PA
People are dancing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania


Baltimore in DC now
People are dancing in Baltimore, Maryland and Washington D.C.


Don't forget the motor city
Don't forget people are dancing in Detroit, Michigan


On the streets of Brazil
People are dancing outside in Brazil


Back in the USSR
People are dancing in the former Soviet Union


No matter where you are
No matter what part of the world you're in


Way down in L.A., everyday
Every day people are dancing in Los Angeles, California


Cross in China too
People are dancing in China


Me and you
You and I


Don't you know
Are you unaware?


They'll be dancing
People will be dancing


Dancing in the street (repeat)
Dancing outside in public areas




Writer(s): William Stevenson, Ivy Hunter, Marvin Gaye

Contributed by Skyler C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@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



All comments from YouTube:

@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

35 More Replies...

@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

More Comments

More Versions