Tribal Dance#Tribal Dance 2.4

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The track is written by Phil Wilde, Ray Slijngaard, Xavier Clayton and Filip Martens, and was produced by Wilde with Jean-Paul De Coster. It features a trumpet riff and different kinds of drums throughout the song and the "Say that again" lyric at the start of the track was sampled from the 1985 film Back to the Future.

Alan Jones from Music Week gave the song four out of five, writing, "This is the usual high-octane, careering dance contender in rave/techno mould. It could hardly be as big as "No Limit", and is probably a little too similar, albeit with some ethnic sounding wailing, presumably to justify the title." He added, "Instant smash, of course".{{cite magazine|first= Alan |last= Jones |title= Market Preview: Mainstream - Singles |magazine= Music Week |date= 24 April 1993 |page= 8 |accessdate= 25 March 2021 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1993/Music-Week-1993-04-24.pdf}} Wendi Cermak from The Network Forty noted that here, 2 Unlimited "hits the dance floor with another tribal trancer".{{cite magazine|first=Wendi|last=Cermak|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Network-40/93/Network-40-1993-06-04.pdf|title=Crossover: Music Meeting|magazine=The Network Forty|date=4 June 1993|page=32|accessdate=21 March 2020}} A reviewer from Newcastle Evening Chronicle described it as a "brash, action packed pounder"."Record Reviews". Newcastle Evening Chronicle. 15 April 1993. page 20. Gail Heritage of Port Lincoln Times declared it "a mix of rhythmic beat, almost changing at every eight bars, centring around the harmonic voice of Anita, before looming into a jungle of rap by Ray." She added, "'Tribal Dance' was one of my favourites on the album — those jungle drums just seem to be calling me to the dance floor."{{cite journal|first=Gail|last=Heritage|title=High Beat Techno Cult|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/267185781|journal=Port Lincoln Times|date=8 July 1993|page=|accessdate=2 January 2023}} James Hamilton from the RM Dance Update viewed it as a "jungle drummed simple chanting galloper".{{cite magazine|first= James |last= Hamilton |title= Djdirectory |magazine= Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert) |date= 1 May 1993 |page= 7 |accessdate= 26 March 2021 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1993/Music-Week-1993-05-01.pdf |author-link= James Hamilton (DJ and journalist)}} Toby Anstis, reviewing songs for Smash Hits, stated that the song is "a nice bit of pop".{{cite magazine|author= Anstis, Toby |url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/smashhits90s/36672778436/in/album-72157684357392172/ |title= New Singles |magazine= Smash Hits |date= 18 August 1993 |page= 47 |accessdate= 6 October 2020}} Smash Hits editor Leesa Daniels gave it two out of five, adding that it will "probably be number one for weeks."{{cite magazine|first= Leesa |last= Daniels |url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/smashhits90s/35569116372/in/album-72157685900313945/ |title= New Singles |magazine= Smash Hits |date= 28 April 1993 |page= 49 |accessdate= 27 April 2021}} Australian student newspaper Woroni called it a "thumping, driven dance track",{{cite magazine|title= 2 Unlimited - Tribal Dance |magazine= Woroni |date= 1 August 1993 |page= 28 |accessdate= 24 April 2020 |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/134421033}} naming it an "obvious highlight" of the No Limits! album.{{cite magazine|title= Music |magazine= Woroni |date= 1 September 1993 |page= 35 |accessdate= 24 April 2020 |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/134421585}}

In Europe, "Tribal Dance" peaked at number one in Finland (6 weeks),"Tribal Dance" spent 6 weeks at number one on the Finnish singles chart in May, June and July 1993.{{smalldiv|* Week 1: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-05-29.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=M&M|volume=10|issue=22|date=29 May 1993|page=34}}

• Week 2: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-06-05.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=M&M|volume=10|issue=23|date=5 June 1993|page=20}}
• Week 3: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-06-12.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=M&M|volume=10|issue=24|date=12 June 1993|page=20}}
• Week 4: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-06-19.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=M&M|volume=10|issue=25|date=19 June 1993|page=20}}
• Week 5: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-06-26.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=M&M|volume=10|issue=26|date=26 June 1993|page=28}}
• Week 6: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-07-03.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=M&M|volume=10|issue=27|date=3 July 1993|page=36}}}}{{cite book | first= Jake | last= Nyman |year= 2005 | title=Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja | edition= 1st | publisher=Tammi | location= Helsinki| isbn= 951-31-2503-3| language= fi }} Portugal (1 week),{{cite magazine|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-06-12.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=Music & Media|volume=10|issue=24|page=20|date=12 June 1993|accessdate=26 February 2018}} and Spain (1 week),{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-05-22.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=Music & Media|volume=10|issue=22|date=22 May 1993|page=26|accessdate=24 March 2024}}{{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}} as well as on both the Eurochart Hot 100 and the European Dance Radio Chart in June 1993.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-06-12.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|magazine=Music & Media|volume=10|issue=24|page=19|date=12 June 1993|access-date=24 November 2019}}{{cite magazine|title=European Dance Radio Top 25|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-06-12.pdf|magazine=Music & Media|volume=10|issue=24|date=12 June 1993|page=16|accessdate=18 November 2019}} Peaking at number two in Belgium (Flanders), Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland, the single was held off reaching the top spot by Haddaway's "What Is Love", Culture Beat's "Mr. Vain", and Spin Doctor's "Two Princes". In Germany, it spent two weeks at number two and 23 weeks within the German singles chart. Additionally, "Tribal Dance" was a top-10 hit also in Austria (3), Denmark (3),{{cite magazine|url=http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-05-29.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=Music & Media|volume=10|issue=22|date=29 May 1993|page=34|accessdate=27 March 2018}} France (4), Italy (10),{{cite magazine|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-06-19.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=Music & Media|volume=10|issue=25|date=19 June 1993|page=20|access-date=24 November 2019}} Norway (4), and the United Kingdom. In the latter nation, the song both peaked and debuted at number four on the UK Singles Chart in May 1993 and stayed at that position for two weeks. It spent eleven weeks within the UK Top 100, and also peaked at number seven on the Music Week Dance Singles chart.{{cite magazine|url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1993/Music-Week-1993-05-08.pdf |title= Top 60 Dance Singles |magazine= Music Week |date= 8 May 1993 |page= 28 |accessdate= 9 April 2021}} On the Eurochart Hot 100, "Tribal Dance" debuted at number 10 on 15 May{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-05-15.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100|magazine=Music & Media|volume=10|issue=20|date=15 May 1993|page=23|access-date=24 March 2024}} after charting in Belgium, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the UK. It topped the chart four weeks later and spent one week at the top position.

In Northern America, it topped the Canadian RPM Dance/Urban chart for three weeks, as well as peaking at number seven on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart."Tribal Dance" spent 3 weeks at number one on the Canadian RPM Dance chart in August 1993.{{smalldiv|

• Week 1: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=6600&|title=RPM Dance|magazine=RPM|volume=58|issue=4|date=7 August 1993|page=}}
• Week 2: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=6097&|title=RPM Dance|magazine=RPM|volume=58|issue=5|date=14 August 1993|page=}}
• Week 3: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=6611&|title=RPM Dance|magazine=RPM|volume=58|issue=6|date=21 August 1993|page=}}}}2 Unlimited singles, Billboard charts [{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p36898/charts-awards/billboard-singles|pure_url=yes}} AllMusic.com] (Retrieved 15 April 2010) In Africa, "Tribal Dance" peaked at number four in Zimbabwe, while in Oceania, it peaked at numbers seven and 38 in Australia and New Zealand, respectively.* Zimbabwe. Kimberley, C. Zimbabwe: singles chart book. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000

"Tribal Dance" was awarded with a gold record in Germany, after 250,000 singles were sold there.{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TA8EAAAAMBAJ&q=hits+unlmited&pg=PA29|title=Hits Unlimited|magazine=Billboard|via=Google Books|volume=108|issue=10|page=29|issn=0006-2510|date=13 March 1996|access-date=16 September 2022}}

The accompanying music video for "Tribal Dance" was directed by British director Nick Burgess-Jones and produced by Spidercom Films.{{cite web|url=https://www.eurokdj.com/search/video.php?id=130|title=2 Unlimited - Tribal Dance music video (1993)|publisher=Eurokdj.com|accessdate=27 February 2024}} He had previously directed the video for "No Limit". "Tribal Dance" was filmed in Black Island studios in London and is set in a jungle using blue screen in order to create the appearance of members of the band swinging across a jungle backdrop. A picture-in-picture screen showing a video game is also used. There are two versions; the rap version and the no rap version.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVFwARLFOGY |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/RVFwARLFOGY |archive-date=22 December 2021 |url-status=live|title=2 Unlimited - Tribal Dance (No Rap) (Official Music Video)|publisher=YouTube|date=14 March 2014|accessdate=23 October 2020}}{{cbignore}} "Tribal Dance" received heavy rotation on MTV Europe in June 1993.{{cite magazine|first=|last=|title=Station Reports > MTV Europe/London|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-06-26.pdf|magazine=Music & Media|volume=10|issue=26|date=26 June 1993|page=24|accessdate=12 December 2022}}

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• 7-inch single (1993)

1. "Tribal Dance" (Edit) — 3:43
2. "Tribal Dance" (Rap Edit) — 3:41

• 12-inch maxi, Belgium (1993)

1. "Tribal Dance" (Extended) — 5:11
2. "Tribal Dance" (Extended Rap) — 5:11
3. "Tribal Dance" (Automatic African Remix) — 4:35
4. "Tribal Dance" (Automatic Breakbeat Remix) — 4:48

• 12-inch maxi, US (1993)

1. "Tribal Dance" (Extended Mix) — 5:14
2. "Tribal Dance" (Extended Rap Mix) — 5:10
3. "Tribal Dance" (Radio Version) — 3:41
4. "Tribal Dance" (Automatic African Remix) — 4:35
5. "Tribal Dance" (Automatic Breakbeat Remix) — 4:49
6. "Tribal Dance" (No No Rap Edit) — 3:45

• CD single, Belgium and Germany (1993)

1. "Tribal Dance" (Rap Edit) — 3:41
2. "Tribal Dance" (Edit) — 3:41
3. "Tribal Dance" (Extended) — 5:11
4. "Tribal Dance" (Extended Rap) — 5:11
5. "Tribal Dance" (Automatic African Remix) — 4:35
6. "Tribal Dance" (Automatic Breakbeat Remix) — 4:48

• CD single, France (1993)

1. "Tribal Dance" (Radio Edit) — 3:40
2. "Tribal Dance" (Radio Rap Edit) — 3:40

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• CD single, UK (1993)

1. "Tribal Dance" (Edit) — 3:43
2. "Tribal Dance" (Automatic African Remix) — 4:38
3. "Tribal Dance" (Extended 12-inch Mix) — 5:13
4. "Tribal Dance" (Automatic Breakbeat Mix) — 4:50
5. "Tribal Dance" (Extended Rap) — 5:11

• CD maxi, France (1993)

1. "Tribal Dance" (Radio Edit) — 3:40
2. "Tribal Dance" (Radio Rap Edit) — 3:40
3. "Tribal Dance" (Extended) — 5:10
4. "Tribal Dance" (Extended Rap) — 5:10

• 12-inch maxi (2004)

1. "Tribal Dance" 2.4 (Long Version) — 5:48
2. "Tribal Dance" 2.4 (Revil O. Remix) — 7:33
3. "Tribal Dance" 2.4 (2 Chains Club Mix) — 5:09
4. "Tribal Dance" 2.4 (Original Extended Mix) — 5:11

• CD single (2004)

1. "Tribal Dance" 2.4 (Xtreme Sound Radio Edit) — 3:23
2. "Tribal Dance" 2.4 (Revil O. Short Mix) — 3:40
3. "Tribal Dance" 2.4 (2 Chains Radio Cut) — 3:46
4. "Tribal Dance" 2.4 (Original Radio Mix) — 3:42
5. "Tribal Dance" 2.4 (Long Version) — 5:51
6. "Tribal Dance" 2.4 (Revil O. Remix) — 7:35
7. "Tribal Dance" 2.4 (2 Chains Club Mix) — 5:09
8. "Tribal Dance" 2.4 (Original Extended Mix) — 5:07

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{{certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for "Tribal Dance"}}

{{certification Table Entry|region=Germany|award=Gold|title=Tribal Dance|artist=2 Unlimited|type=single|relyear=1993}}

{{Certification Table Summary}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Worldwide|type=single|title=Tribal Dance|artist=2 Unlimited|nocert=true|relyear=1993|salesamount=734,000|salesref=}}

{{certification Table Bottom|nosales=yes}}

{{Reflist}}

{{2 Unlimited}}

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Category:1993 songs

Category:1993 singles

Category:2004 singles

Category:2 Unlimited songs

Category:English-language Dutch songs

Category:European Hot 100 Singles number-one singles

Category:Number-one singles in Finland

Category:Number-one singles in Israel

Category:Number-one singles in Portugal

Category:Number-one singles in Spain

Category:Byte Records singles

Category:Pete Waterman Entertainment singles

Category:Songs written by Phil Wilde

Category:Songs written by Ray Slijngaard

Category:Music videos directed by Nick Burgess-Jones