Dancing in the Street#Nikki Webster version

{{short description|1964 single performed by Martha and the Vandellas}}

{{other uses}}

{{distinguish|Street dance}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}}

{{Infobox song

| name = Dancing in the Street

| cover = Martha-vandellas-dancing-street.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Martha and the Vandellas

| album = Dance Party

| B-side = There He Is

| released = July 31, 1964

| recorded = June 19, 1964

| studio = Hitsville U.S.A., Detroit

| venue =

| genre = R&B

| length = 2:40

| label = Gordy

| writer = * Marvin Gaye

| producer = William "Mickey" Stevenson

| prev_title = In My Lonely Room

| prev_year = 1964

| next_title = Wild One

| next_year = 1964

}}

"Dancing in the Street" is a song written by Marvin Gaye, William Stevenson, and Ivy Jo Hunter. It first became popular in 1964 when recorded by Martha and the Vandellas whose version reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for two weeks, behind "Do Wah Diddy Diddy" by Manfred Mann and it also peaked at No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart following a rerelease in 1969. It is one of Motown's signature songs and is the group's premier signature song.

A 1966 cover by the Mamas & the Papas was a minor hit on the Hot 100, reaching No. 73. In 1982, the rock group Van Halen took their cover of "Dancing in the Street" to No. 38 on the Hot 100 chart and No. 15 in Canada on the RPM chart. A 1985 duet cover by David Bowie and Mick Jagger charted at No. 1 in the UK and reached No. 7 in the US. The song has been covered by many other artists, including the Kinks, Tages, Grateful Dead, Myra and Black Oak Arkansas.

Background

Reeves recounted that she initially regarded the song as too repetitive.{{cite web|url=https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc19781/m1/ |title=Show 26 – The Soul Reformation: Phase two, the Motown story. [Part 5] : UNT Digital Library |publisher=Digital.library.unt.edu |date=March 22, 2014 |access-date=March 30, 2014}} Gaye and Stevenson agreed and including new Motown songwriter Ivy Jo Hunter added in musical composition. Martha Reeves remembered Marvin Gaye recorded the song first and sang it as though singing to a lover. Reeves, envisioning block parties and Mardi Gras, asked the producers to let her sing it her way. The song was recorded in two takes. The song's writers made sure to include Detroit as one of the cities mentioned with the lyric: "Can't forget the Motor City".

{{location map+|USA|float=center|width=500|caption=Cities in which there is dancing in the street (Martha Reeves version){{cite web |title=Dancing in the Street - Martha Reeves and the Vandellas |url=https://genius.com/Martha-reeves-and-the-vandellas-dancing-in-the-street-lyrics |website=Genius|access-date=21 July 2023}}|places=

{{Location map~|USA|lat=41.88|long=-87.63|label=Chicago|position=left}}

{{Location map~|USA|lat=29.97|long=-90.08|label=New Orleans|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~|USA|lat=40.71|long=-74.01|label=New York City|position=top}}

{{Location map~|USA|lat=39.95|long=-75.16|label=Philadelphia|position=right}}

{{Location map~|USA|lat=39.29|long=-76.62|label=Baltimore|position=left}}

{{Location map~|USA|lat=38.90|long=-77.02|label=Washington, D.C.|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~|USA|lat=42.33|long=-83.05|label=Detroit (Motor City)|position=top}}

{{Location map~|USA|lat=34.05|long=-118.25|label=Los Angeles|position=right}}

}}

Civil rights anthem

"Motown records had a distinct role to play in the city's black community, and that community—as diverse as it was—articulated and promoted its own social, cultural, and political agendas. These local agendas, which reflected the unique concerns of African Americans living in the urban north, both responded to and reconfigured the national civil rights campaign" (Smith 227). The movement lent the song its secondary meaning and the song with its second meaning fanned the flames of unrest. This song (and others like it) and its associated political meanings did not exist in a vacuum. It was a partner with its social environment and they both played upon each other, creating meaning that could not have been brought on by one or the other alone. The song therefore became a call to reject peace for the chance that unified unrest could bring about the freedom that suppressed minorities all across the United States so craved.[https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/dancing-in-the-street-detroits-radical-anthem "Dancing in the Street": Detroit’s Radical Anthem]

Reception

"Dancing in the Street" peaked at No. 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart when it was originally released as the group's third album Dance Party's first single in 1964 (see 1964 in music), with "There He Is (At My Door)" included as a B-side. "Dancing in the Street" also reached the Top 5 on the UK Singles Chart peaking at No. 4 in a 1969 release after initially peaking at No. 28 on the chart and helped to revive the Vandellas' success in the UK.{{cite book |title= The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits: Eighth Edition |last=Whitburn |first=Joel |author-link=Joel Whitburn |year=2004 |publisher=Record Research |page=398}}{{cite book |title= Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–2004|last=Whitburn |first=Joel |author-link=Joel Whitburn |year=2004 |publisher=Record Research |page=378}} Cash Box described it as "an infectious romp that drops names of various locales as it declares that dancing is sweeping the country," stating that it is "one of those sure-fire sock-rock productions."{{cite magazine |title=CashBox Record Reviews |date=August 15, 1964 |page=158 |access-date=2022-01-12 |url=https://worldradiohstory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/60s/1964/CB-1964-08-15.pdf |magazine=Cash Box}}{{dead link|date=May 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

On April 12, 2006, it was announced that Martha and the Vandellas' version of "Dancing in the Street" would be one of 50 sound recordings preserved by the Library of Congress to the National Recording Registry. Lead singer Martha Reeves said she was thrilled about the song's perseverance, saying "It's a song that just makes you want to get up and dance".

In 2013, the original Motown recording was remixed for club and summer celebration airplay by Minneapolis' Billboard charting producer/remixer Joel Dickinson as well as Danny Shaffer.{{citation needed|date=April 2024}}

Billboard named the song No. 29 on their list of 100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time.{{cite magazine|title=100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time: Critics' Picks|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7857816/100-greatest-girl-group-songs|magazine=Billboard|access-date=July 11, 2017}}

"Dancing in the Street" by Martha and The Vandellas was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.{{Cite web |title=GRAMMY HALL OF FAME AWARD |url=https://www.grammy.com/awards/hall-of-fame-award#d |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=www.grammy.com}}

Personnel

Chart performance

{{col-begin|width=70%}}

{{col-2}}

= Weekly charts =

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
scope="col"|Chart (1964)

!scope="col"|Peak
position

scope="row" | Australia (Kent Music Report){{cite web|url=https://www.top100singles.net/2013/02/every-amr-top-100-single-in-1964.html#show|title=Every Unique AMR Top 100 Single of the 1964|website=Top 100 Singles|access-date=31 December 2020}}

|align="center"| 71

scope="row" {{singlechart|Canadatopsingles|3|artist=Martha/Vandellas|song=Dancing in the Street|chartid=4684|accessdate=January 30, 2022}}
scope="row" | New Zealand (Lever Hit Parade){{cite web |url=http://www.flavourofnz.co.nz/index.php?qpageID=search%20lever&qartistid=400#n_view_location |title=flavour of new zealand – search lever|work=Lever Hit Parades |via=Flavour of New Zealand|accessdate=January 30, 2022}}

|align="center"| 3

{{singlechart|UKsinglesbyname|artistid=13162|28|artist=Martha and the Vandellas|song=Dancing in the Street|rowheader=true|accessdate=January 30, 2022}}
{{singlechart|Billboardhot100|2|artist=Martha Reeves The Vandellas|rowheader=true|accessdate=January 30, 2022}}
scope="row"|US Cash Box R&B Singles

|align="center"| 8

scope="row"|US Cash Box Top 100{{cite web |url=https://tropicalglen.com/Archives/60s_files/19641017.html |title=CASH BOX Top 100 Singles|date=October 17, 1964|work=Cashbox |via=tropicalglen.com|accessdate=January 30, 2022}}

|align="center"|4

Chart (1969)

!Peak
position

{{singlechart|Germany|36|artist=Martha & the Vandellas|song=Dancing in the Street|songid=23040|rowheader=true}}
{{singlechart|Ireland2|12|song=Dancing in the Street|access-date=September 24, 2018|rowheader=true}}
{{singlechart|Dutch40|45|artist=Martha and the Vandellas|song=Dancing in the Street|rowheader=true|accessdate=January 30, 2022}}
{{singlechart|UKsinglesbyname|artistid=13162|4|artist=Martha and the Vandellas|song=Dancing in the Street|rowheader=true|accessdate=January 30, 2022}}

{{col-2}}

= Year-end charts =

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
align="left"|Chart (1964)

! style="text-align:center;"|Rank

scope="row"|US Billboard Hot 100{{cite web|url=http://www.musicoutfitters.com/topsongs/1964.htm|title=Top 100 Hits of 1964/Top 100 Songs of 1964|website=musicoutfitters.com|access-date=March 29, 2018}}

| style="text-align:center;"|17

scope="row"|US Cash Box Top 100{{cite web|url=http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/60s_files/1964YESP.html|title=Cash Box YE Pop Singles – 1964|website=tropicalglen.com|access-date=March 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150601014249/http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/60s_files/1964YESP.html|archive-date=June 1, 2015|url-status=dead}}

| style="text-align:center;"|64

align="left"|Chart (1969)

! style="text-align:center;"|Rank

scope="row"| UK Singles (OCC){{cite web|url=https://www.uk-charts.co.uk/index.php/charts/1960-s/187-1969 |title=Top 100 1969 |website=UK-Charts|access-date=January 30, 2022}}

| style="text-align:center;"|62

{{col-end}}

Certifications

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist= Martha Reeves And The Vandellas|title=Dancing in the Street|award=Gold|relyear=|certyear=2021|refname=NZcert|source=radioscope|access-date=19 January 2025}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Martha and the Vandellas|title=Dancing In The Street|award=Platinum|relyear=2004|certyear=2023|id=1671-4945-1|note=Sales since 14 November 2004|access-date=July 21, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Martha and the Vandellas|title=Dancing in the Street|award=Gold|relyear=1964|certyear=1994|id=|salesamount=|salesref=}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|streaming=true}}

The Kinks version

{{Infobox song

| name = Dancing in the Street

| alt =

| type = song

| artist = the Kinks

| album = Kinda Kinks

| released = March 5, 1965

| recorded = February 15–17, 1965

| studio = Pye, London

| venue =

| genre = Rhythm and blues

| length = 2:59

| label = Pye

| writer = {{Flatlist|

  • Gaye
  • Stevenson
  • Hunter

}}

| producer = Shel Talmy

}}

British rock band the Kinks recorded "Dancing in the Street" for their second studio album Kinda Kinks in 1965.{{Citation|title=Kinda Kinks – The Kinks {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits {{!}} AllMusic|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/kinda-kinks-mw0000196154|language=en-us|access-date=2020-07-05}}{{Cite web|last=Breihan|first=Tom|title=The Kinks Reissue First Three Albums|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/41943-the-kinks-reissue-first-three-albums/|access-date=2020-07-05|website=Pitchfork|date=March 28, 2011 |language=en-us}} It was one of only two cover songs on the album, and was recorded on February 15–17, 1965 at Pye Studios Number 2 in London, United Kingdom.{{Cite book|last=Hasted|first=Nick|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eDv_AgAAQBAJ&q=%22the+kinks%22+%22dancing+in+the+street%22+%22kinda+kinks%22&pg=PT42|title=You Really Got Me: The Story of The Kinks|date=2017-10-01|publisher=Omnibus Press|isbn=978-0-85712-991-8|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Kinda Kinks|url=https://www.kindakinks.net/discography/showrelease.php?release=28|access-date=2020-07-05|website=www.kindakinks.net}} The song was rush-recorded, along with most of Kinda Kinks in order to get a quicker release date.{{Cite web|last=Gallucci|first=Michael|title=When the Kinks Rush-Released Their Second Album, 'Kinda Kinks'|url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/kinks-kinda-kinks/|access-date=2020-07-05|website=Ultimate Classic Rock|date=March 5, 2016 |language=en}} The album was released on March 5, 1965 and reached number 3 in the UK, and number 60 in the US.{{Cite web|title=The Kinks {{!}} full Official Chart History {{!}} Official Charts Company|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/11246/kinks/|access-date=2020-07-05|website=www.officialcharts.com}}

Nonetheless, "Dancing in the Street" was panned by critics for being too boring. In his book Ready For a Brand New Beat: How 'Dancing In The Street' Became the Anthem for a Changing America, Mark Kurlansky states that the song contained no particular interpretation or a distinct rhythmic groove.{{Cite book|last=Kurlansky|first=Mark|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9MW5QuVob8gC&q=%22the+kinks%22+%22dancing+in+the+street%22+%22kinda+kinks%22&pg=PT98|title=Ready For a Brand New Beat: How "Dancing in the Street" Became the Anthem for a Changing America|date=2013-07-11|publisher=Penguin|isbn=978-1-101-61626-0|language=en}} Thomas M. Kitts states it as weak in his biography about Ray Davies, and Johnny Rogan calls it colorless in his book, Ray Davies: A Complicated Life.{{Cite book|last=Kitts|first=Thomas M.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RICQAgAAQBAJ&q=%22the+kinks%22+%22dancing+in+the+street%22+%22kinda+kinks%22&pg=PA50|title=Ray Davies: Not Like Everybody Else|date=2008-01-23|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-135-86795-9|language=en}}{{Cite book|last=Rogan|first=Johnny|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RewtBQAAQBAJ&q=%22the+kinks%22+%22dancing+in+the+street%22+%22kinda+kinks%22&pg=PA184|title=Ray Davies: A Complicated Life|date=2015-03-05|publisher=Random House|isbn=978-1-84792-331-8|language=en}} Ultimate Classic Rock considered the track a "barely awake cover of the Motown standard".

= Personnel =

The Kinks

Other personnel

  • Rasa Davies – backing vocals

The Mamas and the Papas version

{{Infobox song

| name = Dancing in the Street

| alt =

| cover = MamasPapasDancing.png

| type = single

| artist = the Mamas and the Papas

| album = The Mamas & the Papas

| A-side = Words of Love

| released = November 1966

| recorded = 1966

| venue =

| genre =

| length = 2:59

| label = Dunhill

| writer = {{Flatlist|

  • Gaye
  • Stevenson
  • Hunter

}}

| producer = Lou Adler

| prev_title = Look Through My Window

| prev_year = 1966

| next_title = Dedicated to the One I Love

| next_year = 1967

}}

=Background=

In 1966, the folk rock group, the Mamas & the Papas, recorded a cover version of the song "Dancing in the Street," which was taken from their second studio album The Mamas and the Papas.{{cite web|title=The Mamas & the Papas|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-mamas-the-papas-mw0000855442|work=AllMusic}} Cass Elliot sang the lead vocal, while the other members did their harmonies in the background. This version featured an instrumental section. The song's ending is humorous, which featured Elliot and Papa Denny Doherty having a dialogue listing the cities in both the United States, as well as Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, where Doherty was from, before the song's fade. At the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967, the Mamas and the Papas ended their set with "Dancing in the Street", before Elliot told the audience at the festival: "You're on your own, babies, 'cause we're sure on ours." This was the last time that the group performed live in concert.

"Dancing in the Street" was produced by Lou Adler and issued as the B-side of the single "Words of Love" on the Dunhill Records label. It reached No. 73 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.{{Cite book|last=Warner|first=Jay|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aO8ZAQAAIAAJ&q=%22dancing+in+the+street%22+%22the+mamas+and+the+papas%22|title=The Da Capo Book Of American Singing Groups|date=2000-04-06|publisher=Da Capo Press|isbn=978-0-306-80923-1|language=en}} Cash Box said it was "a powerful reading of the Motown sound with Cass Elliot singing a powerful lead."{{cite magazine |title=CashBox Record Reviews |date=November 26, 1966 |page=26 |access-date=2022-01-12 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/60s/1966/CB-1966-11-26.pdf |magazine=Cash Box}}

In 1969, Elliot covered the song on her television special, The Mama Cass Television Program.

= Personnel =

The Mamas and the Papas

Other personnel

= Charts =

class="wikitable sortable"
Chart (1964)

!Peak
position

U.S. Billboard Hot 100Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 – {{ISBN|0-89820-089-X}}

| style="text-align:center;" |73

U.S. Cash Box Top 100{{Cite book|last1=Hoffmann|first1=Frank W.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=djbaAAAAMAAJ&q=%22dancing+in+the+street%22|title=The Cash Box Singles Charts, 1950–1981|last2=Hoffmann|first2=Lee Ann|date=1983|publisher=Scarecrow Press|isbn=978-0-8108-1595-7|language=en}}

| style="text-align:center;" |86

Tages version

{{Infobox song

| name = Dancing in the Street

| cover = TagesDancingInTheStreet.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Tages

| album = Tages 2

| B-side = Those Rumours

| released = October 31, 1967{{Cite book|last1=Brandels|first1=Göran|title=Boken om Tages: från Avenyn till Abbey Road|last2=Wrigholm|first2=Lennart|publisher=Premium Publishing|year=2012|isbn=9789189136885|location=|pages=287}}

| recorded = May–June 1966

| studio = Europafilm Studios Studios, Stockholm

| venue =

| genre = {{Flatlist|

}}

| length = 2:32

| label = Platina

| writer = {{Flatlist|

  • Gaye
  • Hunter
  • Stevenson

}}

| producer = Anders Henriksson

| prev_title = Treat Her Like A Lady

| prev_year = 1967

| next_title = Mohair Sam

| next_year = 1967

}}

= Background =

Swedish rock group Tages incorporated "Dancing in the Street" into their setlist during either December 1965 or January 1966. This rendition was performed with original drummer Freddie Skantze, who did not sing lead vocals on the performances. Tages rendition of the song removes the brass parts for optimization during live performances, instead incorporating them into licks by lead guitarist Anders Töpel or organ parts played by rhythm guitarist Danne Larsson, who started learning the instrument in mid-1965.{{Cite web|title=Tages – Popgruppens Historia|url=http://www.svenskpophistoria.se/tages/info2.html|access-date=2020-07-05|website=www.svenskpophistoria.se|language=sv}}{{Cite web|title=Tages – Tages (EP)|url=http://www.svenskpophistoria.se/tages/popup24_window.html|access-date=2020-07-05|website=www.svenskpophistoria.se|language=sv}} Following the success of their rendition of Marvin Gaye's "I'll Be Doggone", which reached number 10 on Kvällstoppen and number 7 on Tio i Topp in late May-early June 1966,{{Cite web|title=I'LL BE DOGGONE av TAGES|url=https://www.nostalgilistan.se/tages-14131/ill-be-doggone-39416|access-date=2020-07-05|website=NostalgiListan|language=sv}}{{Cite web|title=Tages – Tio i Topp|url=http://www.svenskpophistoria.se/tages/TioiTopp.html|access-date=2020-07-05|website=www.svenskpophistoria.se|language=sv}} Tages decided to record "Dancing in the Street" for their upcoming album Tages 2.

However, prior to recording the song, Skantze had left the band. He was swiftly replaced by Tommy Tausis, whose drumming talents and vocal skills fit the band perfectly. With Tausis now in the band, bassist Göran Lagerberg had started harmonizing with him on various songs, further minimizing Tommy Blom's role as lead singer in the band. The band had now also finalized the arrangement of "Dancing in the Street", with Lagerberg and Tausis sharing lead vocals on the track, with Larsson playing both the electric organ and piano to compensate for the lack of brass instruments.{{Cite web|title=Tages – Dancing in the Street|url=http://www.svenskpophistoria.se/tages/popup15_window.html|access-date=2020-07-05|website=www.svenskpophistoria.se|language=sv}} During sporadic sessions at Europafilm Studios, Bromma between May and June 1966, The group recorded "Dancing in the Street."{{Cite book|last1=Brandels|first1=Göran|title=Boken om Tages: från Avenyn till Abbey Road|last2=Wrigholm|first2=Lennart|publisher=Premium Publishing|year=2012|isbn=9789189136885|location=|pages=287}}

= Release =

"Dancing in the Street" was first released by Platina Records on August 4, 1966 when it was included as the opening track on Tages 2, the group's second studio album.{{Cite web|title=Tages – Tages 2|url=http://www.svenskpophistoria.se/tages/popup38_window.html|access-date=2020-07-05|website=www.svenskpophistoria.se|language=sv}}{{Cite web|title=Tages – 2|url=https://www.discogs.com/Tages-2/release/3049473|access-date=2020-07-05|website=Discogs|date=August 4, 1966 |language=en}} It was one of three rhythm and blues covers on the album, along with "I Got You (I Feel Good)" and "Leaving Here". The album sold over 10000 copies in Sweden alone, becoming their second and final album to be certified gold. The liner notes of the album states that "Dancing in the Street" is "the compact rhythmic opening with a new singing pair consisting of Göran Lagerberg and Tommy Tausis."{{Cite web|title=Tages – Tages 2 liner notes|url=https://img.discogs.com/Ijru3F5DaakZqEEj-le38Sd7sro=/fit-in/600x598/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-3049473-1464347316-2395.jpeg.jpg|access-date=2020-07-05|website=discogs|language=sv}} The group would go on to record another album for Platina, Extra Extra before their contract expired, enabling them to sign with Parlophone Records instead. It was also at around this time that Tausis left the band to join the Spotnicks. He was replaced by Lasse Svensson.

After signing with Parlophone, Platina decided to issue several songs from Extra Extra as singles in order to capitalize on their success, starting with "Secret Room" in 1967.{{Cite web|title=Tages – Diskografi|url=http://www.svenskpophistoria.se/tages/Diskografi.html|access-date=2020-07-05|website=www.svenskpophistoria.se|language=sv}}{{Cite web|title=Tages – Secret Room|url=http://www.svenskpophistoria.se/tages/popup11_window.html|access-date=2020-07-05|website=www.svenskpophistoria.se|language=sv}} Following several singles from Extra Extra, Platina managed to extract "Dancing in the Street" for single release, almost one and a half years after it was recorded. It was the third single from Tages 2, following "In My Dreams" and "Crazy 'Bout My Baby", but was the only single from that album released in 1967.{{Cite web|title=Tages – In My Dreams|url=http://www.svenskpophistoria.se/tages/popup8_window.html|access-date=2020-07-05|website=www.svenskpophistoria.se|language=sv}}{{Cite web|title=Tages – Crazy 'Bout My Baby|url=http://www.svenskpophistoria.se/tages/popup9_window.html|access-date=2020-07-05|website=www.svenskpophistoria.se}}{{Cite web|title=Tages – In My Dreams / Leaving Here|url=https://www.discogs.com/Tages-In-My-Dreams-Leaving-Here/release/3375312|access-date=2020-07-05|website=Discogs|date=July 14, 1966 |language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Tages – Crazy 'Bout My Baby / Go|url=https://www.discogs.com/Tages-Crazy-Bout-My-Baby-Go/release/2825466|access-date=2020-07-05|website=Discogs|date=October 21, 1966 |language=en}} The B-side was "Those Rumours", a song which was written by the band and also appeared on Tages 2. Due to the lack of advertising regarding the single, and the release of the contemporary single "Treat Her Like A Lady", which reached number 7 on Kvällstoppen and 3 on Tio i Topp,{{Cite book|last=Hallberg, Eric.|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/165178200|title=Eric Hallberg presenterar Kvällstoppen i P 3 : Sveriges radios topplista över veckans 20 mest sålda skivor 10. 7. 1962-19. 8. 1975.|date=1993|publisher=Drift Musik|isbn=91-630-2140-4|location=Värmdö|oclc=165178200}}{{Cite book|last=Hallberg|first=Eric|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/186200204|title=Eric Hallberg, Ulf Henningsson presenterar Tio i topp med de utslagna på försök 1961-74.|date=1998|publisher=Premium|others=Henningsson, Ulf, 1965–, Kristianstads boktr.|isbn=91-972712-5-X|edition=1. uppl|location=Stockholm|oclc=186200204}} "Dancing in the Street" failed to chart on Kvällstoppen, but entered Tio i Topp on December 9, 1967 for a week before being voted off.

The Swedish single sleeve is a photograph, which is an alternate take of the one which previously appeared on "Miss Mac Baren" in November 1966.{{Cite web|title=Tages - Miss Mac Baren|url=http://www.svenskpophistoria.se/tages/popup10_window.html|access-date=2020-07-05|website=www.svenskpophistoria.se|language=sv}}{{Cite web|title=Tages – Miss Mac Baren / Get Up An' Get Goin'|url=https://www.discogs.com/Tages-Miss-Mac-Baren-Get-Up-An-Get-Goin/release/2726187|access-date=2020-07-05|website=Discogs|date=November 28, 1966 |language=en}} Curiously, the Norwegian single sleeve shows Freddie Skantze, who did not participate in the recording.{{Cite web|title=Tages – Dancing In The Street / Those Rumours|url=https://www.discogs.com/Tages-Dancing-In-The-Street-Those-Rumours-/release/8455320|access-date=2020-07-05|website=Discogs|date=November 1967 |language=en}} Tages performed the song on an episode of Swedish pop show Popsan on October 7, 1966.{{Citation|title=Popsan – Avsnitt 1 av 10|url=https://www.oppetarkiv.se/video/2270075/popsan-avsnitt-1-av-10|language=sv|access-date=2020-07-09}}

= Personnel =

Tages

Other personnel

  • Anders "Henkan" Henriksson – studio engineer
  • Björn Almstedt – studio engineer

= Charts =

class="wikitable sortable"
align="left" |Chart (1967)

! style="text-align:center;" |Peak
position

align="left" |Sweden (Tio i Topp)

| style="text-align:center;" |15

Grateful Dead version

{{Infobox song

| name = Dancing in the Streets

| cover =

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Grateful Dead

| album = Terrapin Station

| B-side = Terrapin Station

| released = October 1977

| recorded = 1977

| studio =

| venue =

| genre = {{Flatlist|

}}

| length = 3:16

| label = Arista

| writer = {{Flatlist|

}}

| producer = Keith Olsen

| prev_title = Franklin's Tower

| prev_year = 1975

| next_title = Good Lovin

| next_year = 1978

}}

The rock band Grateful Dead began performing "Dancing in the Street" live in 1966, and through 1971 played the song about 40 times,{{cite web|date=June 18, 2003|title=Grateful Dead Family Discography: Dancing In The Street|url=http://www.deaddisc.com/songs/Dancing_In_The_Street.htm|access-date=July 27, 2019|website=Grateful Dead Family Discography}} with Bob Weir singing lead before the song was shelved for several years. The song returned to their rotation in 1976, and was played about 80 more times before being retired in 1987. Live recordings from both periods have been released. In that second period, the group recorded a cover version of the song in the studio, and released it as a single taken from their 1977 album Terrapin Station. This version is credited to Stevenson, Gaye, and Hunter, but is titled "Dancin' in the Streets" rather than "Dancing in the Street".

Bassist Phil Lesh has described "Dancing in the Street" as the first song the band stretched out in the live setting from a short pop song into drawn out improvisational jam piece, a practice that would become a Grateful Dead signature.{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Grateful-Dead-Terrapin-Station/release/654013|title=The Grateful Dead – Terrapin Station|date=August 1977 |publisher=discogs}}{{cite web|url=http://www.deaddisc.com/disc/Dancing_Terrapin.htm|title=Grateful Dead Family Discography: Dancing In The Streets / Terrapin Station}}

= Personnel =

Grateful Dead

Additional personnel

Van Halen version

{{Infobox song

| name = Dancing in the Street

| cover = Van Halen - Dancing in the Street.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Van Halen

| album = Diver Down

| B-side = "The Full Bug"
"Where Have All the Good Times Gone" (Germany)

| released = May 1982{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/greatrockdiscogr00stro/page/866/mode/2up|title=The Great Rock Discography|year=1995|page=866 |isbn=9780862415419 |last1=Strong |first1=Martin Charles |publisher=Canongate Press }}

| recorded = 1982

| studio = Sunset Sound Recorders, Hollywood

| genre = {{hlist|Hard rock|dance-rock}}

| length = 3:43

| label = Warner Bros.

| writer = {{hlist|Marvin Gaye|William "Mickey" Stevenson|Ivy Jo Hunter}}

| producer = Ted Templeman

| prev_title = (Oh) Pretty Woman

| prev_year = 1982

| next_title = Secrets

| next_year = 1982

}}

Van Halen released "Dancing in the Street" as the second single from their 1982 studio album Diver Down. Their version attracted decent commercial success, reaching the top 40 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and becoming a top 15 hit on the Canadian Singles Chart.

=Track listing=

==7" single (U.S.)==

  1. "Dancing in the Street" – 3:43
  2. "The Full Bug" – 3:18

==7" single (Germany)==

  1. "Dancing in the Street" – 3:43
  2. "Where Have All the Good Times Gone" – 3:02

=Personnel=

=Chart performance=

class="wikitable sortable"
align="left"|Chart (1982–1983)

! style="text-align:center;"|Peak
position

align="left"|Canadian Singles Chart

| style="text-align:center;"|15

align="left"|U.S. Billboard Hot 100

| style="text-align:center;"|38

align="left"|U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks

| style="text-align:center;"|3

David Bowie and Mick Jagger version

{{refimprove|section|date=April 2024}}

{{Infobox song

| name = Dancing in the Street

| cover = BowieJagger DancingInTheStreet.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = David Bowie and Mick Jagger

| album =

| released = {{start date|1985|8|27}}{{cite web |title=British single certifications - David Bowie & Mick Jagger - Dancing in the Street |url=https://www.bpi.co.uk/award/1671-31-1 |website=British Phonographic Industry |access-date=12 August 2022}}

| recorded = June 29, 1985

| studio = Westside Studios, London

| venue =

| genre = {{hlist|Pop rock{{cite web | url=http://consequenceofsound.net/2010/12/break-yo-tv-david-bowie-and-mick-jagger-dancing-in-the-street/ | title=Break Yo TV: David Bowie and Mick Jagger – Dancing in the Street| website=Consequence of Sound | date=December 9, 2010 | access-date=January 29, 2016 | last=Mojica |first=Frank}}|dance-rock}}

| length = {{duration|m=3|s=12}}

| label = EMI
EA204

| writer = {{Flatlist|

}}

| producer = {{Flatlist|

}}

| chronology = David Bowie

| prev_title = Loving the Alien

| prev_year = 1985

| next_title = Absolute Beginners

| next_year = 1986

| misc = {{Extra chronology

| artist = Mick Jagger

| type = single

| prev_title = Just Another Night

| prev_year = 1985

| title = Dancing in the Street

| year = 1985

| next_title = Let's Work

| next_year = 1987

}}

{{External music video|{{YouTube|HasaQvHCv4w|"Dancing in the Street"}}}}

}}

A hit cover version of "Dancing in the Street" was recorded by the English rock musicians Mick Jagger and David Bowie as a duo in 1985, to raise money for the Live Aid famine relief cause. The original plan was to perform a track together live, with Bowie performing at Wembley Stadium and Jagger at John F. Kennedy Stadium, until it was realized that the satellite link-up would cause a half-second delay that would make this impossible unless either Bowie or Jagger mimed their contribution, something neither artist was willing to do.

In June 1985, Bowie was recording his contributions to the Absolute Beginners soundtrack at Westside Studios with Clive Langer & Alan Winstanley, and so Jagger arranged to fly in to record the track there. A rough mix of the track was completed in just four hours on June 29, 1985.{{Cite web|date=2019-06-29|title=On This Date In Music – "Dancing in the Streets" by David Bowie & Mick Jagger|url=https://jdprodj.com/2019/06/on-this-date-in-music-dancing-in-the-streets-by-david-bowie-mick-jagger/|access-date=2020-07-03|website=JD Productions|language=en-US}}

Thirteen hours after the start of recording, the song and video were completed. Jagger arranged for some minor musical overdubs with Steve Thompson and Michael Barbiero in New York City.

The single version (Bob Clearmountain mix) is slightly different from the version used on David Bowie's Best of Bowie compilation and others, with the vocals and guitar brought out more and a slightly shorter intro.

=Reception=

The David Bowie and Mick Jagger recording of "Dancing in the Street" was issued as a single on EMI, with all profits going to the charity. The song topped the UK Singles Chart for four weeks, and reached No. 7 in the United States on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making it the seventh and last top ten hit for Bowie and the second one for Jagger after State of Shock. Bowie and Jagger would perform the song once more, at the Prince's Trust Concert on June 20, 1986. The song has been featured since on several Bowie compilations and the Jagger compilation The Very Best of Mick Jagger. In 1988, U.S. television network ABC used a sample of this song, to promote their 1988–1989 campaign, but under the name "Something's Happening", which is the second year they used the same name, the first time being for the 1987–1988 campaign.{{Cite web| title=ABC 1988 / Something's Happening on ABC| via=YouTube| date=May 13, 2017| url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q86jbS2t3Rk |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/Q86jbS2t3Rk |archive-date=2021-12-13 |url-status=live| access-date=May 24, 2017}}{{cbignore}}

In 2011, it was voted the eighth-best collaboration of all time in a Rolling Stone readers poll.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/pictures/readers-poll-best-collaborations-of-all-time-20110810|title=Readers Poll: Best Collaborations of All Time|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=August 10, 2011|access-date=March 4, 2018}} In a survey conducted by PRS for Music, the song was voted as the top song the British public would play at street parties in celebration of the 2011 Royal Wedding of Kate Middleton and Prince William.{{Cite web| title=TDancing in the street for Royal Wedding| website=ITV Jersey| date=March 22, 2011| url=http://www.channelonline.tv/channelonline_jerseynews/displayarticle.asp?id=493520| access-date=April 22, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928033855/http://www.channelonline.tv/channelonline_jerseynews/displayarticle.asp?id=493520| archive-date=September 28, 2011| url-status=dead}}

"Dancing in the Street" was the sixth best selling single of 1985 with 661,000 sold copies in the United Kingdom.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/official-top-40-best-selling-songs-of-1985__32861/|title=Official Top 40 best-selling songs of 1985|magazine=Official Charts|first=Rob|last=Copsey|date=9 April 2021|accessdate=13 April 2021}}

{{location map+|World|float=center|width=500|caption=Cities, countries and continents in which there is dancing in the street (Bowie/Jagger version){{cite web |title=Dancing in the Street - David Bowie & Mick Jagger |url=https://genius.com/David-bowie-and-mick-jagger-dancing-in-the-street-lyrics |website=Genius|access-date=21 July 2023}}|places=

{{Location map~|World|lat=36.69|long=139.69|label=Tokyo|position=top}}

{{Location map~|World|lat=-20|long=-60|label=South America|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~|World|lat=-25|long=133|label=Australia|position=top}}

{{Location map~|World|lat=47|long=2|label=France|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~|World|lat=51|long=9|label=Germany|position=right}}

{{Location map~|World|lat=55|long=-3|label=United Kingdom|position=top}}

{{Location map~|World|lat=4|long=20|label=Africa|position=top}}

{{Location map~|World|lat=42|long=-85|label=Chicago / Detroit|position=top}}

{{Location map~|World|lat=29.97|long=-90.08|label=New
Orleans
|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~|World|lat=39.95|long=-75.16|label=NYC / DC / Philadelphia / Baltimore|position=right}}

{{Location map~|World|lat=-10|long=-52|label=Brazil|position=top}}

{{Location map~|World|lat=60|long=75|label=Soviet Union|position=top}}

{{Location map~|World|lat=34.05|long=-118.25|label=Los Angeles|position=left}}

{{Location map~|World|lat=35|long=103|label=China|position=bottom}}

}}

=Music video=

The pair went to Spillers Millennium Mills in London to film a video with director David Mallet. The music video was shown twice at the Live Aid event. It was also shown in movie theaters before showings of Ruthless People, for which Jagger had recorded the theme song.{{cite web |last= Kaiser |first= Rowan |title= "Flirting With Disaster"/"500 Keys"/"Lobsterfest"/"Foreign Affairs"/"Hot Cocoa Bang Bang": S2011 / E18, 21, 12, 17, 21 |url= https://www.avclub.com/flirting-with-disaster-500-keys-lobsterfest-fore-1798168285 |work= A.V. Club |date= May 16, 2011 |access-date= March 14, 2013 |archive-date= November 5, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131105073010/http://www.avclub.com/articles/flirting-with-disaster500-keyslobsterfestforeign-a,56074/ |url-status= live }}

=Track listings=

==7": EMI America / EA 204 United Kingdom==

  1. "Dancing in the Street" (Clearmountain Mix) – 3:12
  2. "Dancing in the Street" (instrumental) – 3:17

==12": EMI America / 12EA 204 United Kingdom==

  1. "Dancing in the Street" (Steve Thompson and Michael Barbiero Mix) – 4:40
  2. "Dancing in the Street" (dub version) – 4:41
  3. "Dancing in the Street" (edited version) – 3:24

=Personnel=

According to Chris O'Leary:{{sfn|O'Leary|2019|pp=230–233}}

=Charts=

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

=Weekly charts=

class="wikitable sortable"
align="left"|Chart (1985–86)

! style="text-align:center;"|Peak
position

Australia (Kent Music Report){{cite Kent|page=153}}

|style="text-align:center;"| 1

{{singlechart|Austria|6|artist=David Bowie And Mick Jagger|song=Dancing in the Street|access-date=December 20, 2017}}
{{singlechart|Flanders|2|artist=David Bowie And Mick Jagger|song=Dancing in the Street|access-date=September 28, 2020}}
{{singlechart|Canadatopsingles|1|chartid=0585|song=Dancing in the Street|access-date=December 20, 2017}}
align="left"|Europe (European Hot 100 Singles){{cite web |url=http://musicseek.info/no1hits/1985.htm |title=MusicSeek.info – UK, Eurochart, Billboard & Cashbox No.1 Hits |access-date=June 16, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060614052216/http://musicseek.info/no1hits/1985.htm |archive-date=June 14, 2006 }}. Cash Box magazine.

|align="center"|1

Finland (Suomen virallinen lista){{cite book | first= Timo | last= Pennanen |year= 2006 | title=Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 | publisher=Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava | location= Helsinki | language= fi }}

|style="text-align:center;"| 1

{{singlechart|France|34|artist=David Bowie And Mick Jagger|song=Dancing in the Street|access-date=December 20, 2017}}
{{singlechart|Germany|6|artist=David Bowie And Mick Jagger|song=Dancing in the Street|songid=1317|access-date=December 20, 2017}}
{{singlechart|Ireland2|1|song=Dancing in the Street|access-date=September 24, 2018}}
{{singlechart|Dutch40|1|year=1985|week=42|access-date=31 December 2017}}
{{singlechart|Dutch100|1|artist=David Bowie And Mick Jagger|song=Dancing in the Street|access-date=31 December 2017}}
{{singlechart|New Zealand|2|artist=David Bowie And Mick Jagger|song=Dancing in the Street|access-date=December 20, 2017}}
{{singlechart|Norway|3|artist=David Bowie And Mick Jagger|song=Dancing in the Street|access-date=December 20, 2017}}
align="left"|South Africa (Springbok Radio){{cite web|title= South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969 – 1989 Acts (Q) |publisher= Rock.co.za |url= http://www.rock.co.za/files/springbok_top_20_(B).html|access-date= January 29, 2017}}

|align="center"|10

Spain (AFYVE){{cite book|last=Salaverri|first=Fernando|title=Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002|edition=1st|date=September 2005|publisher=Fundación Autor-SGAE|location=Spain|isbn=84-8048-639-2}}

|align="center"|5

align="left"|Spain (Los 40 Principales)

| style="text-align:center;"|1

{{singlechart|Sweden|4|artist=David Bowie And Mick Jagger|song=Dancing in the Street|access-date=December 20, 2017}}
{{singlechart|Switzerland|9|artist=David Bowie And Mick Jagger|song=Dancing in the Street|access-date=December 20, 2017}}
{{singlechart|UK|1|date=19850901|access-date=December 20, 2017}}
{{singlechart|Billboardhot100|7|artist=David Bowie|access-date=December 20, 2017}}
{{singlechart|Billboarddanceclubplay|4|artist=David Bowie|access-date=December 20, 2017}}
{{singlechart|Billboardmainstreamrock|3|artist=David Bowie|access-date=December 20, 2017}}
US Cash Box Top 100{{cite web|url=http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/80s_files/19851019.html|title=Cash Box Top 100 10/19/85|website=tropicalglen.com|access-date=March 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806221451/http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/80s_files/19851019.html|archive-date=August 6, 2017|url-status=dead}}

|align="center"|8

{{col-2}}

=Year-end charts=

class="wikitable sortable"
Chart (1985)

! style="text-align:center;"|Rank

Australia (Kent Music Report){{cite web|url=https://i.imgur.com/SN2evHp.jpg|title=Kent Music Report No 599 – 30 December 1985 > National Top 100 Singles for 1985|publisher=Kent Music Report|via=Imgur|access-date=January 23, 2023}}{{cite book |last1=Kent |first1=David |title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 |date=1993 |publisher=Australian Chart Book |location=St. Ives, N.S.W. |isbn=0-646-11917-6}}

| style="text-align:center;"|11

Canada{{cite magazine|title= RPM's Top 100 Singles of 1985 |magazine= RPM |volume= 43 |issue= 16 |date= December 28, 1985 |access-date= July 30, 2017 |url= http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.0619&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.0619.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.0619}}

| style="text-align:center;"|26

New Zealand{{cite web|title= End of Year Charts 1985 |publisher= Recorded Music NZ |access-date= July 16, 2017 |url= https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/annual-singles/1985-12-31}}

|align="center"|13

UK{{cite magazine |title=Top 100 Singles |magazine=Music Week |publisher=Spotlight Publications |location=London, England |page=24 |date=January 24, 1987}}

| style="text-align:center;"|6

U.S. Cash Box{{cite web|url=http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/70s_files/1985YESP.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308125620/https://tropicalglen.com/Archives/70s_files/1985YESP.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 8, 2021|title=Cash Box Year-End Charts: Top 100 Pop Singles, December 28, 1985|website=tropicalglen.com|access-date=March 29, 2018}}

| style="text-align:center;"|72

{{col-end}}

=Certifications=

{{certification Table Top}}

{{certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=David Bowie & Mick Jagger|title=Dancing In The Street|award=Gold|relyear=1985|certyear=1985|id=1671-31-1}}

{{certification Table Bottom|nosales=true}}

Myra version

{{Infobox song

| name =

| cover =

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Myra

| album = Myra and Recess: School's Out (Original Movie Soundtrack)

| released = 2001

| recorded =

| studio =

| venue =

| genre = Pop, teen pop, dance-pop

| length =

| label = Buena Vista
Walt Disney Records
Avex Trax

| composer =

| lyricist =

| producer = Keith "K.C." Cohen / Executive Producers: Jay Landers

and Matt Walker

| prev_title =

| prev_year =

| next_title = Miracles Happen (When You Believe)

| next_year = 2001

}}

It was Myra's cover of "Dancing in the Street" for the 2001 Disney film Recess: School's Out that resulted in her becoming the first Latina Pop singer signed to Walt Disney Records.{{Cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2890051/myra-miracles-happen-princess-diaries/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160609082448/http://www.mtv.com/news/2890051/myra-miracles-happen-princess-diaries/|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 9, 2016|title=15 Years Ago, Myra Made 'Miracles Happen' In The Princess Diaries|publisher=MTV News|access-date=September 17, 2017}} She would then re-record the song in Spanish, titled "Bailando en la Ciudad", in 2002 for the Disney Channel original movie, Gotta Kick It Up! This version was also included on the Spanish edition of her debut album, Milagros.{{cn|date=June 2024}}

Legacy

"Street Fighting Man", a 1968 song from the Rolling Stones, slightly modifies a signature line from "Dancing in the Street" to be: "Summer's here and the time is right for fighting in the street."{{cite journal |last1=Peraino |first1=Judith A. |title=Mick Jagger as Mother |journal=Social Text |date=September 2015 |volume=33 |issue=3 |page=94 |doi=10.1215/01642472-3125707 |url=https://music.cornell.edu/sites/people/files/Social-Text-2015-Peraino-75-113.pdf |access-date=January 19, 2019}}

References

{{Reflist}}

Further reading

  • {{cite book |last=Kurlansky |first=Mark |author-link=Mark Kurlansky |date=2013 |title=Ready for A Brand New Beat: How 'Dancing in the Street' Became the Anthem for a Changing America |url=http://www.us.penguingroup.com/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9781594487224,00.html |location=New York |publisher=Riverhead Books |isbn=9781594487224 |access-date=December 18, 2013 |archive-date=December 19, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219012544/http://www.us.penguingroup.com/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9781594487224,00.html |url-status=dead }}
  • {{cite book |last=O'Leary |first=Chris |year=2019 |title=Ashes to Ashes: The Songs of David Bowie 1976–2016 |location=London |publisher=Repeater |isbn=978-1912248308}}
  • Pegg, Nicholas (2000). The Complete David Bowie. Reynolds & Hearn Ltd. {{ISBN|1-903111-14-5}}.
  • Smith, Suzanne E. (2003). Dancing in the Street. Harvard University Press. {{ISBN|0-674-00063-3}}
  • {{cite book|title=Van Halen Guitar Anthology|pages=113–21|publisher=Alfred|location=Van Nuys, California|year=2006|isbn=9780897246729|oclc=605214049}}