They recorded a demo (which now circulates as 'The Original Demos') and eventually an album, 'The Fatherless and the Widow' for R.E.X. Records in 1993. The record featured Chris Dodds (of Slocum's band Love Coma) on drums. Shortly after the release of the album, Slocum left Love Coma to pursue Sixpence full time. The band added Tess Wiley (guitar), J.J. Plasencio (bass) and Dale Baker (drums) for 1995's 'This Beautiful Mess'. Both albums, with featured the group's early explicit Christian contemporary music sound, were produced by Armand John Petri.
In 1997, the group signed to Steve Taylor's Squint Entertainment and prepared for the release of a self-titled album, with their work slowly began garnering attention from a wider audience. In 1999, "Kiss Me" was released as a single, propelling Sixpence into the national pop spotlight. This song was also notably used in the romantic comedy film 'She's All That'. The next year, the band recorded a cover of Britpop originators The La's "There She Goes", which became their second hit single. This recording was added to Sixpence's self-titled album, an album that received several releases, as a 13th track.
'Sixpence None the Richer', featuring a confessional, melodic sound reminiscent of contemporary power pop bands as well as the softer side of earlier classic rock groups, provided both a critical and commercial breakthrough for the band. The group, made up then of Leigh Nash with Dale Baker, Matt Slocum, Sean Kelly, and Justin Cary, had both "Kiss Me" and "There She Goes" as top 40 hits receiving lasting airplay, and the parent album took the #1 slot on Billboard's 'Top Contemporary Christian' chart. In terms of the group's religiously inspired melodies and lyrics, they had evolved to even more of a subtle, emotionally minded focus based on personal storytelling rather than proselytizing.
The band had a follow up album ready to release, but Squint Entertainment started to fall apart. Though leaving the band in limbo for several years, they still toured to an enthusiastic fan-base. Finally, Squint Entertainment was taken over by Word Records, allowing Sixpence None the Richer to record the album 'Divine Discontent', which was released in October of 2002. It differed significantly from the first pre-release version of the album that had circulated, with five songs removed and six added, but still received some positive critical reviews.
On February 26, 2004, Matt Slocum announced via a letter to CCM Magazine that the group had disbanded. That same year, Best of was released, which also collected some of the Divine Discontent outtakes, and tracks from compilations.
Matt Slocum has started a new band, the Astronaut Pushers which released their debut EP in 2005. He has also recorded and performed with the seminal ambient rock group Hammock. Leigh Nash released her debut Solo Album Blue on Blue on 15 August 2006 on her personal label, One Son Records. The first single, My Idea of Heaven, was released to USA radio the week of 14 July 2006.
In November 2007, Sixpence None the Richer reunited. The band has released a new EP, entitled My Dear Machine, with tour dates planned throughout 2008 in the States and Europe. In October 2008, they released their first Christmas album entitled, The Dawn of Grace.
Website: http://www.sixpencehq.com/
Dancing Queen
Sixpence None the Richer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You can jive
Having the time of your life
See that girl
Watch that scene
Dig in the dancing queen
Friday night and the lights are low
Where they play the right music
Getting in the swing
You come to look for a king
Anybody could be that guy
Night is young and the music's high
With a bit of rock music
Everything is fine
You're in the mood for a dance
And when you get the chance
You are the dancing queen
Young and sweet
Only seventeen
Dancing queen
Feel the beat from the tambourine
You can dance
You can jive
Having the time of your life
See that girl
Watch that scene
Dig in the dancing queen
You're a teaser, you turn 'em on
Leave 'em burning and then you're gone
Looking out for another
Anyone will do
You're in the mood for a dance
And when you get the chance
You are the dancing queen
Young and sweet
Only seventeen
Dancing queen
Feel the beat from the tambourine
You can dance
You can jive
Having the time of your life
See that girl
Watch that scene
Dig in the dancing queen
The song "Dancing Queen" by Sixpence None the Richer is a lively, upbeat track that celebrates young love, youthfulness, and the joy of dancing. The song encourages people to dance and live their lives to the fullest. The lyrics suggest that the perfect time to do so is on a Friday night when the lights are low, and everyone is looking for a place to go. The chorus of the song constantly repeats that the singer is the "dancing queen," young and sweet, only 17. The song implies that anyone can be in the spotlight and be the dancing queen or a king, as long as they embrace the moment and enjoy themselves.
The track also highlights some of the other themes such as infatuation, flirtation, and seduction. The singer is portrayed as a teaser who turns people on, only to burn them and move on. The song suggests that the singer is looking for a good time, rather than a long-lasting relationship. The track celebrates the freedom of youth and encourages listeners to enjoy their lives and focus on the good times, rather than getting bogged down by life's problems.
Line by Line Meaning
You can dance
You have the ability and freedom to move your body rhythmically to music
You can jive
You can engage in an energetic style of dancing from the 1970s that involves swift hip movements to a disco beat
Having the time of your life
You are experiencing an extremely enjoyable and memorable moment
See that girl
Observe that young woman over there
Watch that scene
Pay attention to the lively atmosphere and activities taking place
Dig in the dancing queen
Enjoy and participate in the celebration of the young woman's exceptional dancing skills
Friday night and the lights are low
It is Friday evening and the surroundings are dimly lit
Looking out for a place to go
Searching for a location to spend the evening
Where they play the right music
Seeking an establishment that selects the appropriate and enjoyable genre of music
Getting in the swing
Becoming familiar with the environment and feeling comfortable enough to dance
You come to look for a king
You came here to find a man who will impress and sweep you off your feet
Anybody could be that guy
Any male patron is capable of fulfilling this role
Night is young and the music's high
The evening is still early and the music is playing loudly
With a bit of rock music
With the incorporation of some upbeat rock songs
Everything is fine
The current circumstance is satisfactory and pleasing
You're in the mood for a dance
You possess the desire and inclination to dance
And when you get the chance
Once you have the opportunity to do so
You are the dancing queen
You possess extraordinary dancing ability which sets you apart from others
Young and sweet
You are youthful and have an appealing personality
Only seventeen
You are currently at a young age and have yet to reach adulthood
Feel the beat from the tambourine
Move rhythmically to the sound of the percussive instrument
You're a teaser, you turn 'em on
You have a charismatic and flirty nature that captivates others
Leave 'em burning and then you're gone
You create an intense and passionate attraction but move on quickly to others
Looking out for another
Seeking out the attention and affection of another potential partner
Anyone will do
You have a flexible and non-discriminatory approach towards selecting your partners
Lyrics © DistroKid, CONSALAD CO., Ltd., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Benny Goran Bror Andersson, Bjoern K. Ulvaeus, Stig Erik Leopold Anderson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind