Slow Dancing in the Dark

{{Infobox song

| name = Slow Dancing in the Dark

| cover = Slow Dancing in the Dark.jpg

| alt =

| border = yes

| type = single

| artist = Joji

| album = Ballads 1

| recorded =

| released = {{start date|2018|09|12|df=yes}}

| genre = R&B{{cite web|url=https://www.apnews.com/6c50b4a1b07a4342be8418dcb2495f14|title=AP names Nicky Jam and J Balvin's 'X' its top song of 2018|author=Fekadu, Mesfin|date=11 December 2018|work=Associated Press|accessdate=}}

| length = 3:29

| label = {{hlist|88rising|12Tone}}

| writer = {{hlist|George Miller|Patrick Wimberly}}

| producer = {{hlist|George Miller|Patrick Wimberly}}

| prev_title = Yeah Right

| prev_year = 2018

| next_title = Can't Get Over You

| next_year = 2018

| misc = {{Audio sample

| type = single

| file = Slow_Dancing_In_The_Dark.ogg

| description =}}

{{External music video|{{YouTube|K3Qzzggn--s|"Slow Dancing in the Dark"}}}}

}}

"Slow Dancing in the Dark" is a song by Japanese-Australian singer-songwriter Joji from his debut album, Ballads 1 (2018). The song was released on 12 September 2018, as the album's second single, and was written and produced by Joji and Patrick Wimberly.

Background and promotion

Joji first showcased the track for the first time during a live performance in May 2018, which caused the creation of bootleg versions, reworks, and covers to be released before the song's official release. It was then officially released as the second single from his debut studio album, Ballads 1, on 12 September 2018, alongside the album's release date.{{cite web|url=https://hypebeast.com/2018/9/joji-slow-dancing-in-the-dark-video-stream|title=Joji Delivers His Take on the "Ultimate Power Ballad," "SLOW DANCING IN THE DARK"|website=Hypebeast|date=12 September 2018|access-date=13 February 2024}}

Music video

A music video for the song was released on the same day as its release, on 12 September 2018, and was directed by Jared Hogan.{{cite web|url=https://genius.com/a/joji-s-slow-dancing-in-the-dark-is-a-lovesick-ode-to-a-dying-relationship|title=Joji's "Slow Dancing In The Dark" Is A Lovesick Ode To A Dying Relationship|date=September 14, 2018|access-date=February 13, 2024}}

=Synopsis=

The video features Miller in a white tuxedo smoking a cigarette and stumbling through city streets at night in emotional anguish. Later in the video, he is revealed to be a satyr with an arrow in his back. He coughs up blood while splayed on an illuminated dance floor. He eventually collapses in a pool of blood. The final frame is used in the song's cover artwork. The video's visual style has been compared to that of director David Fincher.{{cite web|url=http://www.papermag.com/joji-slow-dancing-video-2604398923.html|title=Joji Has a Rough Night in 'Slow Dancing in the Dark'|last=Moen|first=Matt|date=12 September 2018|website=Paper Magazine|accessdate=2 October 2018}}

Remixes

An acoustic remix of "Slow Dancing in the Dark" was released as a single on 18 October 2018.{{cite web|url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/96724802|title=SLOW DANCING IN THE DARK (Acoustic Remix) / Joji|date=18 October 2018|website=TIDAL|accessdate=26 October 2018}} It features Miller singing over a solo piano backing played by co-producer Carol Kuswanto.{{cite tweet|user=carolkuswanto|number=1053144330808963072|date=18 October 2018|title=YOURS TRULY ON THE PIANO 😎 please share 🙏🏻 #NewMusicFriday}}

Remixes of the song by Mr. Mitch and Loud Luxury were released on 9 November 2018.{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/slow-dancing-in-the-dark-mr-mitch-remix-single/1440081908|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190223185016/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/slow-dancing-in-the-dark-mr-mitch-remix-single/1440081908|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 February 2019|title=SLOW DANCING IN THE DARK (Mr. Mitch Remix) - Single by Joji|date=8 November 2018 |publisher=|via=itunes.apple.com}}{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/slow-dancing-in-the-dark-loud-luxury-remix-single/1441329427|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190223190424/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/slow-dancing-in-the-dark-loud-luxury-remix-single/1441329427|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 February 2019|title=SLOW DANCING IN THE DARK (Loud Luxury Remix) - Single by Joji|date=9 November 2018 |publisher=|via=itunes.apple.com}}

Usage in media

A microwave-like 'ding' sound effect present in the song's pre-chorus spawned an internet challenge on short-form video service TikTok in 2019 known as the "Microwave Challenge". In the challenge, people were asked to spin themselves around while sitting on the floor, imitating food spinning in a microwave.{{cite news |last=Seavers |first=Kris |date=1 March 2019 |work=Daily Dot |title=The microwave challenge is taking over TikTok |url=https://www.dailydot.com/unclick/tiktok-microwave-challenge/}}

Personnel

;Original version

Credits adapted from Tidal.{{cite web|url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/94641893|title=SLOW DANCING IN THE DARK / Joji|date=12 September 2018|website=TIDAL|accessdate=2 October 2018}}

George Miller – songwriting, vocals, arrangement
Patrick Wimberly – production, recording, mixing, arrangement
Francisco "Frankie" Ramirez – recording
Chris Athens – mastering

;Acoustic Remix

Credits adapted from Tidal.

George Miller – production, songwriting, arrangement
Patrick Wimberly – production, arrangement
Carol Kuswanto – production
Francisco "Frankie" Ramirez – mastering, mixing, recording

Charts

=Weekly charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" \|+ 2018–2019 weekly chart performance for "Slow Dancing in the Dark" !scope="col"\|Chart (2018–2019) !scope="col"\|Peak position
scope="row"\| Canada (Canadian Hot 100){{cite magazine\|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/canadian-hot-100/2019-11-16\|title=Billboard Canadian Hot 100 – November 16, 2019\|magazine=Billboard\|accessdate=12 November 2019}} \| 52
scope="row"\| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ){{cite web\|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/hot-singles/2018-09-21\|title=NZ Hot Singles Chart\|publisher=Recorded Music NZ\|date=24 September 2018\|access-date=2 October 2018}} \| 4
scope="row"\| US Billboard Hot 100{{Cite magazine\|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2019-11-16\|title=Billboard Hot 100: November 16, 2019\|magazine=Billboard\|accessdate=12 November 2019}} \| 69
scope="row"\| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine\|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/2019-03-30\|title=Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – March 30, 2019\|magazine=Billboard\|accessdate=26 March 2019}} \| 39

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+ 2018–2019 weekly chart performance for "Slow Dancing in the Dark"

!scope="col"|Chart (2018–2019)

!scope="col"|Peak
position

scope="row"| Canada (Canadian Hot 100){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/canadian-hot-100/2019-11-16|title=Billboard Canadian Hot 100 – November 16, 2019|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=12 November 2019}}

| 52

scope="row"| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ){{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/hot-singles/2018-09-21|title=NZ Hot Singles Chart|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|date=24 September 2018|access-date=2 October 2018}}

| 4

scope="row"| US Billboard Hot 100{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2019-11-16|title=Billboard Hot 100: November 16, 2019|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=12 November 2019}}

| 69

scope="row"| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/2019-03-30|title=Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – March 30, 2019|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=26 March 2019}}

| 39

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" \|+ 2022 weekly chart performance for "Slow Dancing in the Dark" !scope="col"\|Chart (2022) !scope="col"\|Peak position
scope="row"\| Australia (ARIA){{cite magazine\|title=The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 27 June 2022\|magazine=The ARIA Report\|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association\|issue=1686\|page=4\|date=27 June 2022}} \| 91
scope="row"\| Global 200 (Billboard){{cite magazine\|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-global-200/2022-07-02/\|title=Billboard Global 200: Week of July 2, 2022\|magazine=Billboard\|access-date=28 June 2022}} \| 149
scope="row"\| Malaysia (RIM){{cite web\|url=https://www.facebook.com/RecordingIndustryMalaysia/posts/pfbid02yst7BLxS4eayUqsPJkSnm4yMoY3XLsWqYciodVVigiKmgSosHTPnpLkRsAeV6VE7l\|title=Top 20 Most Streamed International Singles In Malaysia Week 25 (17/06/2022-23/06/2022)\|publisher=RIM\|date=July 2, 2022\|access-date=July 2, 2022\|via=Facebook}} \| 10
scope="row"\| Singapore (RIAS){{cite web\|url=https://www.rias.org.sg/rias-top-charts\|title=RIAS Top Charts Week 25 (17 - 23 Jun 2022)\|date=28 June 2022\|publisher=RIAS\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628110949/https://www.rias.org.sg/rias-top-charts/\|archive-date=28 June 2022\|access-date=28 June 2022}} \| 27
scope="row"\| Vietnam (Vietnam Hot 100){{Cite web\|title=Billboard Vietnam Hot 100, CHART DATE 2022-06-30\|url=https://billboardvn.vn/billboard-vietnam-hot-100/\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220701162404/https://billboardvn.vn/billboard-vietnam-hot-100/\|archive-date=1 July 2022\|access-date=30 June 2022\|website=Billboard Việt Nam\|language=vi}} \| 77

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+ 2022 weekly chart performance for "Slow Dancing in the Dark"

!scope="col"|Chart (2022)

!scope="col"|Peak
position

scope="row"| Australia (ARIA){{cite magazine|title=The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 27 June 2022|magazine=The ARIA Report|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association|issue=1686|page=4|date=27 June 2022}}

| 91

scope="row"| Global 200 (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-global-200/2022-07-02/|title=Billboard Global 200: Week of July 2, 2022|magazine=Billboard|access-date=28 June 2022}}

| 149

scope="row"| Malaysia (RIM){{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/RecordingIndustryMalaysia/posts/pfbid02yst7BLxS4eayUqsPJkSnm4yMoY3XLsWqYciodVVigiKmgSosHTPnpLkRsAeV6VE7l|title=Top 20 Most Streamed International Singles In Malaysia Week 25 (17/06/2022-23/06/2022)|publisher=RIM|date=July 2, 2022|access-date=July 2, 2022|via=Facebook}}

| 10

scope="row"| Singapore (RIAS){{cite web|url=https://www.rias.org.sg/rias-top-charts|title=RIAS Top Charts Week 25 (17 - 23 Jun 2022)|date=28 June 2022|publisher=RIAS|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628110949/https://www.rias.org.sg/rias-top-charts/|archive-date=28 June 2022|access-date=28 June 2022}}

| 27

scope="row"| Vietnam (Vietnam Hot 100){{Cite web|title=Billboard Vietnam Hot 100, CHART DATE 2022-06-30|url=https://billboardvn.vn/billboard-vietnam-hot-100/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220701162404/https://billboardvn.vn/billboard-vietnam-hot-100/|archive-date=1 July 2022|access-date=30 June 2022|website=Billboard Việt Nam|language=vi}}

| 77

=Year-end charts=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" \|+ Year-end chart performance for "Slow Dancing in the Dark" !scope="col"\| Chart (2019) !scope="col"\| Position
scope="row"\| US Hot R&B Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine\|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2019/hot-r-and-and-b-songs\|title=Hot R&B Singles: Year-End 2019\|magazine=Billboard\|publisher=Billboard.com\|accessdate=5 December 2019}} \| 5

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+ Year-end chart performance for "Slow Dancing in the Dark"

!scope="col"| Chart (2019)

!scope="col"| Position

scope="row"| US Hot R&B Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2019/hot-r-and-and-b-songs|title=Hot R&B Singles: Year-End 2019|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Billboard.com|accessdate=5 December 2019}}

| 5

Certifications

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "Slow Dancing in the Dark"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|relyear=2018|certyear=2020|title=Slow Dancing in the Dark|artist=Joji|type=single|award=Platinum|access-date=25 June 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|artist=Joji|title=Slow Dancing in the Dark|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2018|certyear=2023|id=12542|access-date=19 November 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|artist=Joji|title=Slow Dancing in the Dark (Loud Luxury Remix)|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2018|certyear=2024|access-date=7 May 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Joji|title=Slow Dancing in the Dark|award=Platinum|number=3|type=single|relyear=2018|certyear=2023|source=radioscope|access-date=31 December 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Poland|artist=Joji|title=Slow Dancing in the Dark|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2018|certyear=2021|certmonth=11|access-date=11 November 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Portugal|artist=Joji|title=Slow Dancing in the Dark|award=Platinum|id=file_2023-01-30-17-47-02.pdf|type=single|relyear=2018|certyear=2022|access-date=7 February 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|artist=Joji|title=Slow Dancing in the Dark|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2018|certyear=2024|access-date=13 April 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|relyear=2018|certyear=2023|title=Slow Dancing in the Dark|artist=Joji|type=single|award=Platinum|id=16266-5203-1|access-date=7 May 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|relyear=2018|certyear=2022|title=Slow Dancing in the Dark|artist=Joji|type=single|award=Platinum|number=5|access-date=1 December 2022}}

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

References

Category:2018 songs

Category:2018 singles

Category:Joji (musician) songs

Category:Sentimental ballads

Category:Song recordings produced by Patrick Wimberly

Category:Contemporary R&B songs

Category:88rising singles