The Knocks were formed in 2008 by James "JPatt" Patterson and Ben "DJ B-Roc" Ruttner. Patterson and Ruttner met at New York City's New School and shared an apartment, where they set up small recording studios in their bedrooms. The loud noise coming from their apartment led to neighbors constantly knocking on their door in order to get them to pipe down, hence the duo's name. Early success as remixers, however, enabled them to build their own studio in Manhattan. During 2008 and 2009, Knocks remixes surfaced for Katy Perry ("I Kissed a Girl"), Britney Spears ("3"), and PRGz ("Soul Glo"). B-Roc and Andrew W.K. also released DAMN! The Mixtape Vol. 1 in 2009, featuring several Knocks productions.
In 2010, the Knocks released their first singles, the sunny "Dancing with the DJ" (which later appeared on their 2011 EP Magic) and the whistling "Make It Better." Over the course of the next few years, the duo's profile was magnified by additional remixes for Tegan and Sara ("Closer"), the 1975 ("Girls"), and Dragonette ("Let It Go"), among others, in addition to tours with Ellie Goulding, Dragonette, and Sleigh Bells. They also collaborated with Fred Falke for the Kitsuné Music release "Geronimo" in 2012, as well as Treasure Fingers for "DYWT," released on Fool's Gold Clubhouse in 2014. Also in 2014, the group released an EP, titled Comfortable and released on the Neon Gold label, that included collaborations with X Ambassadors and Ra Ra Riot.
Signed to Big Beat, the Knocks slowed it down a bit for the 2014 single "Classic," one of their funkier and more disco-indebted singles, featuring Powers. An EP titled So Classic appeared in April 2015, followed by a new version of "Classic" featuring a verse by Fetty Wap. The Knocks spent much of the year working on their long-delayed debut album, which was previewed by the singles "I Wish (My Taylor Swift)" (with Matthew Koma) and "New York City" (featuring Cam'ron). Finally, in March 2016, the duo released their first full-length, 55, which included additional guest appearances from Wyclef Jean, Walk the Moon, Carly Rae Jepsen, Alex Newell, and Semi-Precious Weapons' Justin Trantor. That July, the pair remixed selected tracks from the album on the 55.5 EP.
In early 2017, the Knocks released Testify, an EP of new songs featuring collaborations with MNEK, Delacey, and Tayla Parx. Later that year, the duo teamed up with Skylar Spence and released a future funk mixtape as Amelia Airhorn. They also formed the Mary Nixons, a group with Mat Zo, and issued the single "Adrian." They followed with the Captain Cuts collaboration "House Party." July 2018 saw the release of the single "Shades" which appeared later that year on the Knocks' second full-length, New York Narcotic. The album also featured contributions from Method Man, Sofi Tukker, and Foster the People.
2019 brought several singles, including the Kah-Lo collaboration "Awa Ni" and "Lucky Me" (with Great Good Fine Ok). Most of these were collected on the EP Summer Series: 2019. Several more singles arrived in 2020, including "One Fine Day" (with Idris Elba), "Bodies" (with MUNA), and "All About You" (featuring Foster the People). The following year, they released Melody & Silence, an EP with Foster the People that included a remix of the single, as well as covers of hits by Beck, Moby, and the Verve. Also in 2021, the Knocks released "R U High" (featuring Mallrat) and "Sound the Alarm" (featuring Rivers Cuomo and Royal & the Serpent), and were featured on Purple Disco Machine's "Fireworks." The following year saw the release of the full-length effort, HISTORY, which featured collaborations with Foster the People, MUNA, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, Cold War Kids, Parson James, and Yoke Lore, among others.
Biography by Andy Kellman
Dancing With The DJ
The Knocks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dancing with DJ dancing with the DJ
I know it's always on your mind
We can have a party just the two of us, yeah
I know good lovin's hard to find
When your dancing with the DJ, dancing with the DJ
Tonight it's only you and I
And we can have a party, just the two of us yeah
'Cause you know we'll be dancing with the DJ
Come tonight I'm gonna find your love
Then we can have a party just the two of us, yeah
Come on
Come on come on come on
Come on
Come on come on come on
Come on, and lets do it how we wanna do
Dancing with the DJ, dancing with the DJ
Ya, come on cause tonight it's only me and you
We can have a party just the two of us, ya
Now come on and lets do it how we wanna dooooo
Dancing with the DJ, dancing with the DJ
Ya, come on cause tonight its only me and you
We can have a party just the two of us, ya
We don't care if the sun comes up,
Cause you know well be dancing with the DJ
Come tonight I'm gonna find your love
Then we can have a party just the two of us, yeah
We don't care if the sun comes up,
'Cause you know well be dancing with the DJ
Come tonight I'm gonna find your love
Then we can have a party just the two of us, yeah
Come on
Come on come on come on
Come on
Come on come on come on
Come on
Come on come on come on
Come on
Come on come on come on
The song "Dancing With The DJ" by The Knocks is a playful and upbeat track about the desire to dance and have a good time with someone special. The lyrics describe how the singer believes the person they are speaking to always wants to dance and party with the DJ. They propose having a party just the two of them, not caring if the sun comes up, because they will be dancing all night long.
The chorus repeats the line "Dancing with the DJ" which highlights the fun and carefree nature of the song. The Knocks emphasize the importance of being present in the moment and letting loose, encouraging the listener to dance how they want to dance. The repetition of the word "come on" in the final verse further drives the party anthem vibe home, prompting the listener to let go and enjoy the night.
Overall, "Dancing With The DJ" is an ode to good times and wild nights out, reminding the listener to let go and have fun on the dancefloor.
Line by Line Meaning
I bet you do this all the time
I know you love to dance and you're always looking for a good party, so you probably do this every chance you get.
Dancing with DJ dancing with the DJ
You love to dance and the DJ always has the best beats, so dancing with the DJ is what it's all about.
I know it's always on your mind
You're always thinking about dancing and the DJ, it's like a part of you and you can't get it out of your head.
We can have a party just the two of us, yeah
Let's forget about everyone else and just dance together, we can make our own party and have a great time.
I know good lovin's hard to find
Finding someone who can dance with you and love you at the same time is something rare and special, it's not easy to find.
When your dancing with the DJ, dancing with the DJ
It's like the DJ is playing just for you, and you're in your own world dancing with the music.
Tonight it's only you and I
Let's make the most of tonight and spend it dancing together, we don't need anyone else to have a good time.
We don't care if the sun comes up, 'Cause you know we'll be dancing with the DJ
We don't need to worry about the time or what's happening outside, as long as we have the DJ's music we'll keep dancing until the sun comes up.
Come tonight I'm gonna find your love Then we can have a party just the two of us, yeah
Let tonight be the night we find that special connection, and together we can make our own party and celebrate our love.
Come on Come on come on come on
Let's get started, we're ready to dance and have a good time.
Come on, and let's do it how we wanna do Dancing with the DJ, dancing with the DJ
Let's dance the way we want to, be ourselves, and enjoy the music that the DJ is playing.
Ya, come on cause tonight it's only me and you We can have a party just the two of us, ya
Let's enjoy each other's company and have fun, it's just the two of us and we can have our own party.
Now come on and let's do it how we wanna dooooo Dancing with the DJ, dancing with the DJ
Let's be spontaneous and dance as we please, we're lost in the music and the DJ is playing just for us.
We don't care if the sun comes up, Cause you know well be dancing with the DJ
We'll keep on dancing until the sun comes up, we're not going to stop until the music stops.
Come tonight I'm gonna find your love Then we can have a party just the two of us, yeah
Let this be the night we find that special someone, and together we can have our own private party and enjoy each other's company.
Come on Come on come on come on
Let's not stop now, we're having too much fun.
Come on Come on come on come on
Just one more time, let's dance and enjoy this moment together.
Come on Come on come on come on
We're not tired yet, let's keep dancing until we can't dance any longer.
Come on Come on come on come on
We're not done yet, let's keep dancing and have the time of our lives.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BENJAMIN RUTTNER, BENJAMIN MICHAEL RUTTNER, JAMES PATTERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jvisionchile
The Knocks deserve more recognition! They are one of the best disco-EDM groups and their music is awesome!
@TheRealRazhel
they are pretty famous dude
@theknocks
Thank you!
@gmcjetpilot
I don't think you know who they are. Also popularity is not automatic goodness. They make quality music, great Vids and collaborations.
@Flabooga
The Knocks never fail to get me up and moving. It's the only way I keep my house clean 😂
@theknocks
🧹
@Kelescope
More EDM x Vaccuum Sponsorships!! 😂
@animetrashamvs
I swear the Knocks is my go too for those funky bass riffs! Saw them live for my bday and it was electrifying!👏
@dannywaldrip9808
I agree! Not enough recognition for thier talent and contributions! THE KNOCKS!! YEA!!
@bertilbeekmans4786
Dance dance dance 🎉 Pure joy both song & video ❤