The band teamed up with John Farnham for "Everytime You Cry" which was one of the biggest hits of 1997, and due to the success of the previous tours, were asked personally by both Celine Dion and Michael Jackson to continue to support them throughout their European tours in June-September 1997. The band played to crowds often numbering over 100,000 people, and they also took the stage for three nights at Wembley Stadium. Upon their return to Australia in October, Human Nature embarked on their first ever national concert tour- headlining at entertainment centres around the country.
'Counting Down' released in 1998 continued the band's momentum, and debuted at number one on the ARIA charts and generated five gold singles in Australia - "Last To Know", "Don't Cry", "Cruel", "Be There With You" and "Eternal Flame" a cover version of the 1989 hit by The Bangles. The band also appeared in an Australian concert tour of symphonic versions of Beatles songs conducted by legendary producer and "fifth Beatle", Sir George Martin.
In 1999, Human Nature appeared in a tour of the musical version of the television series Happy Days.
The band released a self-titled album in 2000 with lead single "He Don't Love You" reaching Top 20 in the UK and being the 2nd best selling Australasian single in Australia for that year. The album was recorded in Sydney, London, Stockholm, Los Angeles and New York and featured a songwriting session with Gary Barlow of Take That.
In September 2000 the band performed the Australian National Anthem at the 2000 Summer Olympics with Julie Anthony. The band also appeared in Australian soap opera Neighbours in November 2000 and performed "He Don't Love You" at Erinsborough High's debutant ball and sang "Wishes" a cappella at the ball's after party.
A greatest hits album- Here & Now: The Best of Human Nature- followed in late 2001. The accompanying single "Always Be With You" also made the Australian top 30, with the appearance of comic character Guido Hatzis, breakdancing legend, making the video memorable.
Throughout 2002 and into early 2003, Toby took on the role of MC in a major production of the musical Cabaret. This portrayal earned him a prestigious Helpmann Award.
Human Nature's fourth studio album Walk the Tightrope was released on 26 April 2004. The first single "When You Say You Love Me" was written by Darren Hayes, formerly of Savage Garden, and it reached the Top 10 in Australia in 2004. The album also features "Love Is Blind" written by Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees, a reworked cover of Guilty by Barry Gibb and Barbra Streisand, and a cover version of "To Be With You", a 1992 hit by glam metal band Mr. Big.
Mid-2005 saw Toby again hit the musical theatre scene, playing Kenickie in an arena version of the musical Grease.
With the realisation that they were perhaps outgrowing their original teen market, for their fifth studio album Human Nature decided to pay tribute to the music that influenced them from the very beginning, and released an album of Motown covers- Reach Out: The Motown Record- on 6 November 2005. It peaked at number one on the Australian charts and has reached 5 times platinum. They toured extensively around Australia in 2006 on The Motown Show tour and members Phil Burton and Toby Allen both starred in reality TV shows during 2005/06: Phil in the Nine Network's Celebrity Overhaul 2 and Toby on Channel 7's Dancing With The Stars, plus both Phil and Toby on Channel 10's Australia's Brainiest Musician in March 2006 (Phil came in first, and Toby came in second).
On 29 October 2006, Human Nature won their first ARIA - highest selling album - after 15 nominations; band member Andrew Tierney joked saying they were the "John Wood" of the ARIAs.
The quartet's sixth studio album Dancing In The Street: The Songs Of Motown II was released on 13 October 2006 and debuted at number one, with 14 Motown cover songs, after the initial 'Motown' album sold over 350,000 copies and won the highest selling album ARIA award.
They toured Australia with Doug Parkinson as the MC for the Motown Tour 2005/06 and the Encore Motown Tour 2006, and again in mid-2007 with the Dancing In The Street Arena Tour 2007, with special guests Paulini and The Naturelles.
The 24th of November, 2007 saw Human Nature hit No.2 on the ARIA Albums Chart with Get Ready, the 3rd Motown-themed album, which this time featured appearances by several original Motown singing legends such as Smokey Robinson, Martha Reeves, Mary Wilson of The Supremes and The Temptations. All three albums have now sold close to a million copies in Australia. Human Nature's total album sales in Australia number almost two million.
At the start of 2008, Human Nature headed over to perform for the first ever time in the USA, with a two-month engagement at Atlantic City's Tropicana Casino. They played the Imperial Palace and Casino in 2009.
On 22 April 2008, Human Nature took the stage with The Supremes' Mary Wilson on the television show It Takes Two. They performed two duets from their Get Ready album: "It Takes Two" and "River Deep, Mountain High".
Human Nature is currently in residency through May 2010 at the Imperial Palace Hotel in Las Vegas. Their show, "The Ultimate Celebration of the Motown Sound," is being presented by friend and mentor Smokey Robinson.
Official Website: www.humannaturelive.com
Dancing in the Street
Human Nature Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Are you ready for a brand new beat
Summer's here and the time is right
For dancing in the street (dancing in the street)
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)
All we need is music, sweet music (sweet sweet sweet sweet music)
There'll be swingin' and swayin' and records playing and (oooohhhhh)
Dancing in the street (dancing in the street)
Oh it doesn't matter what you wear (ooohhh)
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)
(Dancing in the street)
(Dancing in the street)
This is an invitation across the nation (ooohhh)
A chance for folks to meet
There'll be laughing,and singing, and music swinging
And Dancing in the street (dancing in the street)
Philadelphia, PA (dancing in the street)
Baltimore and D.C. now (dancing in the street)
Can't forget the Motor City (dancing in the street)
All we need is music, sweet music (sweet sweet sweet sweet music)
There'll be music everywhere (sweet music everywhere)
There'll be swingin' (swingin') and and swayin' (swayin'), and records playing
And dancing in the street (dancing in the street)
Oh it doesn't matter what you wear (ooohhh)
Just as long as you are there
So come on every guy grab a girl
Everywhere around the world
There'll be dancing, (ooohh)
Dancing in the street (dancing in the street)
Way down in L.A. (dancing in the street)
Every day (ooohh)
Dancing in the street (dancing in the street)
Let's form a big strong line (dancing in the street)
Get in time (dancing in the street)
We're dancing in the street (dancing in the street)
Across the ocean blue, me and you (dancing in the street)
We're dancing in the street
"Dancing in the Street" is a classic song that was originally recorded by Martha and the Vandellas in 1964. This version by Human Nature follows a similar upbeat and energizing theme. The song begins with a callout to the world, asking if they're ready for a new beat as summer has arrived, which sets the tone for the rest of the song - a celebration of music and dance. It emphasizes the power of music to bring people together regardless of what they're wearing, where they live, or what they believe in.
The first verse features different cities across the United States and describes how people are dancing in the streets there. Then the chorus emphasizes the importance of music and its ability to make people swing and sway to the rhythm. The second verse mentions more cities, including Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington DC, and Detroit City, known for its Motown music culture. The song ends with a call to dance together and create a big strong line, forming a companionship that crosses the ocean.
Overall, Dancing in the Street promotes unity and freedom to let loose and dance together, regardless of differences. The song's lively beat and uplifting lyrics have made it an enduring hit, and it continues to inspire people of all ages and communities to get up and dance.
Line by Line Meaning
Callin' out around the world
Notifying everyone across the globe
Are you ready for a brand new beat
Asking if people are prepared for new music
Summer's here and the time is right
It's summer and the perfect moment
For dancing in the street (dancing in the street)
To dance outside on the street
They're dancing in Chicago (dancing in the street)
People are dancing in Chicago
Down in New Orleans (dancing in the street)
People are dancing in New Orleans
In New York City (dancing in the street)
People are dancing in New York City
All we need is music, sweet music (sweet sweet sweet sweet music)
The only requirement is good music
There'll be music everywhere (sweet music everywhere)
Music will be present everywhere
There'll be swingin' and swayin' and records playing and (oooohhhhh)
There will be dancing and music playing
Dancing in the street (dancing in the street)
To dance outside on the street
Oh it doesn't matter what you wear (ooohhh)
Clothing doesn't matter
Just as long as you are there
Only attendance is important
So come on every guy grab a girl
Men should ask a woman to join them
Everywhere around the world
All over the world
This is an invitation across the nation (ooohhh)
Invitation for everyone
A chance for folks to meet
Opportunity for people to socialize
There'll be laughing, and singing, and music swinging
There will be enjoyment and liveliness
And Dancing in the street (dancing in the street)
To dance outside on the street
Philadelphia, PA (dancing in the street)
People are dancing in Philadelphia
Baltimore and D.C. now (dancing in the street)
People are dancing in Baltimore and Washington DC
Can't forget the Motor City (dancing in the street)
People are dancing in Detroit
Way down in L.A. (dancing in the street)
People are dancing in Los Angeles
Every day (ooohh)
Every single day
Let's form a big strong line (dancing in the street)
To create a large group
Get in time (dancing in the street)
To coordinate and move together
We're dancing in the street (dancing in the street)
To dance outside on the street
Across the ocean blue, me and you (dancing in the street)
Even overseas, we can dance together
We're dancing in the street
To dance outside on the street
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Marvin Gaye, William Stevenson, Ivy Hunter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Isabel Hill
Human Nature the best singing and sexiest group ever love them very much!
peperainbow
This song has always been one of my favorites, and this version is just awesome!
Adrian M.
👍👌🙏💖✝️💕🇦🇺🎸Hermosa canción. ¡Oh Señor, esto es pura genialidad! Gran respeto, admiración y gratitud por esta gran banda australiana Human Nature 🙏
Samantha Sewell
Was born in 83 but always loved older music before my time and you guys hit it right on.. Could listen to you all the time.. You are awesome and love how you dress to fit the time.. Sending love from Canada NB!!
Isabel Hill
Every time I listen to Human Nature makes me go dancing they’re not only great but very good looking too!
Isabel Hill
Human Nature the best and the most good looking handsome singing group ever.
Donna Palmieri
How refreshing!! You guys are wonderful. I love in Vegas and just now listening to you for the first time. I will be following you all Wish I was able to see you tonight in person. I’m passing on your music to everyone. Your voices are so smooth and love the dance routines. Lol. Please keep it up we need your touch Thank you so much
Laercia Tereza
Estou encantada, maravilhoso, as dancinhas então, the best!!!
Rhonda Kallenberg
I could listen to Human Nature all day. Perfect.
William Aldridge
I always liked to hear the music buy Human Nature.Hope I one day get to see them live.