Shannon followed up with "Hats Off to Larry", another big hit, and the less popular "So Long, Baby", another song of breakup bitterness. "Little Town Flirt", released in 1962 reached #12 in 1963 as did the album of the same name. After these hits, Shannon was unable to keep his momentum in the US, but became a sensation in England. In 1963, he became the first American artist to record a cover version of a Beatles song with "From Me to You".
Shannon returned to the charts in 1964 with "Handy Man", "Do You Wanna Dance", "Keep Searchin'", and "Stranger in Town" (1965), with the latter two songs themed about flight from pursuit in a dangerous world. A 1966 chart offering was Shannon's cover of the Rolling Stones' "Under My Thumb". In the late 1960s after a dry spell of hits, he turned to production. In 1969 he discovered a group called Smith and arranged their hit "Baby It's You". He then produced his friend Brian Hyland's million seller "Gypsy Woman" in 1970.
In the 1970s, Shannon's career slowed down greatly; the hates and fears he had turned into art in his earlier songs were turning into full-blown mental illness, and he was self-medicating with alcohol. He finally put the bottle down in 1978, and he was able to return to mainstream audiences with "Sea of Love" in the early 1980s from the album "Drop Down And Get Me" produced by Tom Petty.
In December, 1983, Shannon served as Grand Marshal of the Coopersville, Michigan Christmas parade and also performed a benefit concert at Coopersville High School.
Shannon enjoyed a resurgence in audience interest after re-recording a portion of his song "Runaway" (with new lyrics) as the theme for the television program Crime Story. Producer Michael Mann felt that this was one of the definitive songs of the era in which the program was set. Some fans of the show prefer the sharper lyrics ("Some live, and others die") as an alternate to the original words.
On 8 February 1990, while working on a comeback album with Jeff Lynne of Electric Light Orchestra, Shannon fatally shot himself in the head with a .22 calibre rifle. His wife thought his death might have been related to his recent use of the prescription drug Prozac. The album was released after his death and titled "Rock On!".
Shannon is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and his pioneering contribution to the genre has been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
Do You Want to Dance?
Del Shannon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do you wanna dance and hold my hand?
Tell me that I'm your man
Baby, do you wanna dance?
Do you wanna dance under the moonlight?
Squeeze and kiss me all through the night
Baby, do you wanna dance?
Tell me that I'm your man
Baby, do you wanna dance?
Do you wanna dance under the moonlight?
Love me girl all through the night
Baby, do you wanna dance?
[Chorus 2:]
Girl now do you do you do you do you wanna dance?
Do you do you do you do you wanna dance?
Do you do you wanna dance?
[Chorus 1]
Yes, do you wanna dance I mean under the moonlight?
Squeeze and kiss me all through the night
Baby, do you wanna dance?
[Chorus 2]
Del Shannon's song "Do You Want to Dance?" is a classic love song with a catchy melody that invites the listener to dance along. The chorus asks a simple question, "Do you wanna dance?" followed by a request for the listener to hold the singer's hand and declare their love. The song describes dancing under the moonlight and being embraced by a lover throughout the night. The repetition of the chorus and the melody create a joyful, playful atmosphere that is perfect for dancing.
The lyrics of "Do You Want to Dance?" are straightforward and unapologetically romantic. The singer is asking the object of his affection if she wants to dance with him, and if she feels the same way he does. The chorus repeats the question with increasing urgency, and the second chorus adds a playful "do you do you do you do you wanna dance?" The song is a celebration of romantic love and the joy of dancing with the one you love.
Overall, "Do You Want to Dance?" is a classic love song with a simple message - dance with me, love me, and let's enjoy the moonlit night together. It is a timeless reminder of the joy and beauty of love and the power of music to bring people together.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you wanna dance and hold my hand?
Would you like to dance with me while holding my hand?
Tell me that I'm your man
Demonstrate your affection for me by acknowledging that I am your romantic partner.
Baby, do you wanna dance?
Would you like to engage in a rhythmic movement with me?
Do you wanna dance under the moonlight?
Would you like to engage in rhythmic movement with me beneath the moon's illumination?
Squeeze and kiss me all through the night
Embrace me tightly and place your lips on mine throughout the evening.
Do you wanna dance girl and hold my hand?
Would you, a female, like to engage in rhythmic movement with me while holding my hand?
Love me girl all through the night
Express romantic feelings towards me throughout the evening.
Girl now do you do you do you do you wanna dance?
Female, do you desire to engage in rhythmic movement with me?
Do you do you do you do you wanna dance?
Would you like to engage in rhythmic movement with me?
Do you do you wanna dance?
Do you want to engage in rhythmic movement with me?
Yes, do you wanna dance I mean under the moonlight?
I am asking if you would like to dance with me under the moon's illumination.
Baby, do you wanna dance?
Would you like to engage in rhythmic movement with me?
Do you do you do you do you wanna dance?
Would you, with repetition, like to engage in rhythmic movement with me?
Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group
Written by: ROBERT FREEMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lisa InOz
The ultimate encore of his later shows. This guy was the ultimate entertainer. Amazing vocals, guitar playing and brilliant writer. No matter what he sang, it was brilliant.
Philip Hartley
Can not add to that comment. Del was indeed a supreme performer, so sadly missed.
Ken Hatchett
This was the first version I heard of this great classic and still believe itβs the best.
westentrance
Yeah I like it too plus it was one of the earliest recordings featuring the great bassist Bob Babbitt.
Louie Witoski
Del Shannon - Do You Wanna Dance. First recorded by Bobby Freeman in 1958. It was also recorded by The Beach Boys in 1965. Del Shannon had his version released in the fall of 1964.
LicMegags
And later, the best version ever, by The Ramones.
A Pa
Thx for that, & everyone has their memories.
Alan Clarke
Great voice Rip del
Where did my other account go?
I've always thought the Beach Boys version was the best. and I can see alot of their version in this release from Del Shannon. I'm sure, Brian Wilson was influenced by this.
howie9751
I like the BBs version of this song, but Del rocks more.