She began her singing career at the age of eight on Australian radio, and during this time she entered and won several talent quests. By the age of 15 she had her first hit record in Australia, with the song "You Made Me What I Am", and she won a "Best Female Vocalist" award. She quickly became a well known celebrity on Australian television, but she felt her career was limited if she remained in Australia. She travelled to the United Kingdom and performed with such groups as Herman's Hermits, The Hollies and the Bee Gees. Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees wrote "The Love Of A Woman" for her, and her recording became a hit in some European countries.
By the mid 1970s she had changed her name to Samantha Sang, and had moved to the United States where she renewed her acquaintance with the Bee Gees. The Gibb brothers wrote another song for her, which coincided with their huge level of popularity, and the single "Emotion" (with back-up vocals by the Bee Gees) became a major hit worldwide. It reached number 3 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 1978, and earned Sang a platinum record.
Determined to succeed on her own merits, she would not record another Gibb song to capitalise on her success, and chose a disco song, "You Keep Me Dancing" as her next single release. The song did not become a hit, stalling at number 57 in the U.S., and her career faltered.
In 2004, and residing again in Melbourne, Sang announced that she would return to live performing, and that her three albums would be released for the first time on CD.
You Keep Me Dancing
Samantha Sang Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like the flowers he brought me
But just like those flowers
He faded away
Michael was witty
He almost caught me
Words without music
Baby, you keep me dancin'
You are the number one song
Going 'round in my head
Baby, you keep me dancin'
Baby, hold me, hold me, love me, love me
Baby, just keep me dancin'
Listen to the beat of your heart now, baby
Listen to the beat of your heart now, baby
Johnny had money
He offered me dollars
He said if I love him
But all of his money
Just couldn't buy me
The feelin' I get
When you play me your tune
Baby, you keep me dancin'
You are the number one song
Going 'round in my head
Baby, you keep me dancin'
Baby, hold me, hold me, love me, love me
Baby, just keep me dancin'
Listen to the beat of your heart now, baby
Listen to the beat of your heart now, baby
Listen to the beat of your heart now, baby
Listen to the beat of your heart now, baby
Give me your diamonds baby
Give me your gold
You are the treasure
Of lovin' my soul
Baby, you keep me dancin'
You are the number one song
Going 'round in my head
Baby, you keep me dancin'
Baby, hold me, hold me, love me, love me
Baby, just keep me dancin'
Baby, you keep me dancin'
You are the number one song
Going 'round in my head
Baby, you keep me dancin'
Baby, hold me, hold me, love me, love me
Baby, just keep me dancin'
The lyrics to Samantha Sang's song "You Keep Me Dancing" are about the singer's past relationships with different men, and how none of them can compare to the love she feels for the current object of her affection. The singer describes the attributes of each man, such as Joey being fresh like the flowers he brought her, Michael being witty but lacking the emotional depth she craves, and Johnny offering her money but failing to make her feel the way her current lover does.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the power of the current lover to make the singer feel alive and happy. They keep her dancing, figuratively and perhaps literally, as their love is like a number one song constantly playing in her head. She begs for them to hold her, love her, and keep her dancing, unable to resist their hold on her heart.
The bridge of the song urges the lover to give the singer their diamonds and gold, as they are the true treasure of their soul. This could either be interpreted as a metaphor for their love being the valuable possession, or a more literal plea for luxurious gifts.
Overall, "You Keep Me Dancing" is a whimsical and romantic song that celebrates the power of love and the way it can make us feel alive and free.
Line by Line Meaning
Joe was fresh
Like the flowers he brought me
But just like those flowers
He faded away
Joe was charming like the fresh flowers he gave her, but just like flowers wilt and die, so did their relationship.
Michael was witty
He almost caught me
Words without music
Got nothin' to say
Michael was smart, but his words alone did not capture her heart. She needs more than just clever conversation to be fully entranced.
Johnny had money
He offered me dollars
He said if I love him
But all of his money
Just couldn't buy me
The feelin' I get
When you play me your tune
Johnny tried to win her with money, but no amount could replace the feeling she gets when she hears the music he plays for her. True love and connection cannot be bought with wealth.
Give me your diamonds baby
Give me your gold
You are the treasure
Of lovin' my soul
She doesn't want material possessions from her lover, rather she desires the lasting treasure of being loved by him and having her soul fulfilled.
Baby, you keep me dancin'
You are the number one song
Going 'round in my head
Baby, you keep me dancin'
Baby, hold me, hold me, love me, love me
Baby, just keep me dancin'
She is deeply in love with her current partner and he fills her with joy and excitement, so much so that she wants to spend every moment dancing with him and being loved by him.
Listen to the beat of your heart now, baby
Listen to the beat of your heart now, baby
Listen to the beat of your heart now, baby
Listen to the beat of your heart now, baby
She advises her lover to listen to his own heart, to let it guide him and to follow the rhythm of their love.
Contributed by Hannah R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Rhonda howard
Listened to this song and emotion over and over again on my K-Tel album when I was 10. Love Samantha Sang!
Hank Chase
Still love Samantha and all her songs. Beautiful sexy voice that will never go out of style <3
Greg Leuszler
This song sounds like a cross between "Personally" by Karla Bonoff and "There's No Gettin' Over Me" by Ronnie Milsap, both of which came years AFTER this song!
patrick ryan
Greg Leuszler - Good ear; those two songs do kinda sound like this song. 2/2018
BUBBA
I love the first 8 seconds! Sounds so nice
Roy Sanders
This is a disco tune from 1978!!!
iFlyTheWorld
I'd forgotten about this song. Thanks for posting.
Richard Gottheil
from Richard gottheil you keep me dancing
Richard Gottheil
from Richard gottheil you keep me dancing
Richard Gottheil
from Richard gottheil you keep me dancing