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David Bowie — Let's Dance
Album: Let's Dance
Avg rating:
7.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1067









Released: 1983
Length: 7:19
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Ah, ah, ah, ah

Let's dance
Let's dance

Let's dance
Put on your red shoes and dance the blues
Let's dance
To the song they're playin' on the radio

Let's sway
While color lights up your face
Let's sway
Sway through the crowd to an empty space

If you say run, I'll run with you
And if you say hide, we'll hide
Because my love for you
Would break my heart in two
(Ah, ah, ah, ah)
If you should fall
Into my arms
Tremble like a flower

Let's dance
Let's dance

Let's dance
Let's dance
For fear your grace should fall
Let's dance
For fear tonight is all

Let's sway
You could look into my eyes
Let's sway
Under the moonlight, the serious moonlight

And if you say run, I'll run with you
And if you say hide, we'll hide
Because my love for you
Would break my heart in two
(Ah, ah, ah, ah)
If you should fall
Into my arms
And tremble like a flower

Let's dance
Let's dance

Let's dance
Put on your red shoes and dance the blues
Let's dance
To the song we're playing
Let's sway
Let's sway
Under the moonlight, the serious moonlight

Let's dance
Let's
Let's
Let's
Let's sway
Let's

Let's dance, let's dance, let's dance
Let's dance, let's dance
Let's dance
Let's dance
Let's sway
Let's sway
Let's dance, let's dance, let's dance
Let's dance, let's dance
Let's dance
Let's dance
Let's dance
Let's dance
Comments (99)add comment
It's the production / engineering of this that is way above normal.  JMHO
 cely wrote:
The fact that this even earns a 7 shows how powerfully the RP crowd gets it wrong.  I love David Bowie, but this is probably the worst thing he ever wrote, and yet people are giving lower scores to music they can't assimilate because it's not classic radio.  Ugh.
 
So you rate things differently because you're smarter and more perceptive than most here?  Thanks, that's good to know.
Horns and SRV solos are longer and get wilder on this extended version, the classic radio edit was a truly painful amputation. The reason why RP plays this title is an artistic choice, just like for the extended version of A-Ha's Take On me.
 cely wrote:
The fact that this even earns a 7 shows how powerfully the RP crowd gets it wrong.  I love David Bowie, but this is probably the worst thing he ever wrote, and yet people are giving lower scores to music they can't assimilate because it's not classic radio.  Ugh.

 

I would agree, except that SRV totally redeems this song.

boy dancing with dog
SRV was the man (or at least on of the men).
When a musical genius does pop, it's something quite special.
 thewiseking wrote:
a phase of Bowie's career I do not miss

 
Yes, it's okay but this was an album I saw no need to buy back then, though I had pretty much all of his albums up until this one.  Nice production on this though; interesting how Nile Rogers kind of "jazzed up" the "folk" music progression that Bowie had originally played for him.  For all of Bowie's material, this was his largest-selling single.  M. Ward does an interesting cover of this song - changes the whole feeling really.
{#Music} Great tune!
The fact that this even earns a 7 shows how powerfully the RP crowd gets it wrong.  I love David Bowie, but this is probably the worst thing he ever wrote, and yet people are giving lower scores to music they can't assimilate because it's not classic radio.  Ugh.
a phase of Bowie's career I do not miss
 DaidyBoy wrote:
Despite popular opinion, I love this album.  I wish I'd seen this tour instead of the Glass Spider, which was pants.

 
100% agree, "Lets Dance" &  "Young Americans" are always knocked, they are favorites of mine
I love "Without You" from this album, uh Bill, hint hint
got it right here for you,...
                    https://youtu.be/llRuq0NWc5I
Despite popular opinion, I love this album.  I wish I'd seen this tour instead of the Glass Spider, which was pants.
Don't like the song (yet I'm still such a fan that I get teary when I hear Blackstar come on) but I do like the cover with the boxing gloves - "Let's dance" taking on a different meaning.
Shoulda been called, "Lets March!".  
 
This song brings back my very happiest memories of high school! Have always loved it. Bowie had tremendous range. {#Music}
 boontonite wrote:
Huge Bowie fan but I never really cared for this song (or album) all that much. However, after working out the music I discovered that it's much more interesting than I gave it credit for.

 
put Bowie, Nile Rodgers and Stevie Ray Vaughn together and i'd say you'd come up with some interesting music
Huge Bowie fan but I never really cared for this song (or album) all that much. However, after working out the music I discovered that it's much more interesting than I gave it credit for.
it's Saturday night so why not?
There must be some kinda rocknroll party going on in heaven these days....
This song is much better than people credit it for, and a great sendoff for Bill's tribute.  Thanks, Bill for all these songs.
 DaidyBoy wrote:
Love that guitar.  So bite me, I really enjoyed this album, and this era.

 
That's Nile Rodgers on guitar, and I think Bob Clearmountain came up with the delay idea.
 ronniegirl wrote:
he turned 69 yesterday.  wow

 
{#Cry}
48 songs on the RP playlist. At two an hour we can cover it in one day. 
Make it so, Bill.

RIP David and thanks for everything you gave us. 
I think this day should be a Bowie-day for Radio Paradise...
A large part of my life for a great person
 h8rhater wrote:
Let's go Bowie all day long!

 
I could go with that.  So deep, so many albums that one can listen to from beginning to end.

Bye, bye David and thanks ! 
Serious Moonlight!
The fist vinyl single I ever bought was this when I was 12 years old.

RIP David Bowie. 
{#Cool} Love Bowie
Let's go Bowie all day long!  We're off to a good start.
Thank you Bill.

I'm having a headphone boogie for the Duke.

 
Appropriate indeed Bill.....
RIP Mr Bowie.  He's dancing today, all right!
I'm not a fan of this decent song, but please stop feeding the trolls.  There were two troll posts from 2007, and annual floggings thereafter.  
he turned 69 yesterday.  wow
This song sucks but I have always liked it. 7
A dance set! 
I love lets dance  
I love David  
 dancingfox wrote:
Bowie sucks... What planet are you all on? Better yet, what planet is he on.

 
Mars, obviously. Troll.
Love this song. It gets my foot tapping and listening closely to the excellent musicianship. Play it more often!!
Love that guitar.  So bite me, I really enjoyed this album, and this era.
  dancingfox wrote:
Get your foot tapping? More like you sucking like a seal at a circus.
Bowies a fagot.
kcar wrote:

New Oxford American definition of fagot: 

• a bundle of sticks or twigs bound together as fuel.

• a bundle of iron rods bound together for reheating, welding, and hammering into bars.

{#Think}

Or are you just a crappy speller and a trolling bigot? Yeah.  {#Ass}

Try to remember that David Bowie is married to a supermodel and has two kids.  Oh, and please find another corner of the Web to pollute with your presence. 

 

 
Could not have said it better.  This is a whole different level of h8, ignorance, and stupidity.
 wonderlove99 wrote:
IMPORTANT RP BULLETIN:
Dancing Fox is a complete and utter Twat
 
dancingfox wrote:
Bowie sucks... What planet are you all on? Better yet, what planet is he on. Ever been in the recording industry? Give me a shop full of computer enhancing equipment and I'll make Bowie sell like Kid Rock. geeezzzzz...put on my red shoes and dance to the sound he's playing....what a fagot.
 
 
Thanks wonderlove99! 
I've pretty much have had it with this song.
It's one of the "classic" Bowie songs that I've heard way too much of.
Now it's heard daily on most of those "Classic Rock" stations. {#Razz}
 dancingfox wrote:
Get your foot tapping? More like you sucking like a seal at a circus.
Bowies a fagot.
 
New Oxford American definition of fagot: 

• a bundle of sticks or twigs bound together as fuel.

• a bundle of iron rods bound together for reheating, welding, and hammering into bars.

{#Think}

Or are you just a crappy speller and a trolling bigot? Yeah.  {#Ass}

Try to remember that David Bowie is married to a supermodel and has two kids.  Oh, and please find another corner of the Web to pollute with your presence. 

 
 wonderlove99 wrote:
IMPORTANT RP BULLETIN:
Dancing Fox is a complete and utter Twat

 
dancingfox wrote:
Bowie sucks... What planet are you all on? Better yet, what planet is he on. Ever been in the recording industry? Give me a shop full of computer enhancing equipment and I'll make Bowie sell like Kid Rock. geeezzzzz...put on my red shoes and dance to the sound he's playing....what a fagot.
 

 

Check out DancingFox's RP profile. It explains a lot. Does everyone share that much information about themselves??


IMPORTANT RP BULLETIN:
Dancing Fox is a complete and utter Twat

 
dancingfox wrote:
Bowie sucks... What planet are you all on? Better yet, what planet is he on. Ever been in the recording industry? Give me a shop full of computer enhancing equipment and I'll make Bowie sell like Kid Rock. geeezzzzz...put on my red shoes and dance to the sound he's playing....what a fagot.
 

let's...-   7  /  8.
 EssexTex wrote:
No thank you David...I'd rather not dance to this.
 
Agree
 {#Stop}

No thank you David...I'd rather not dance to this.
dancingfox wrote:
Get your foot tapping? More like you sucking like a seal at a circus. Bowies a fagot.
My guess is you have experience in this field too
wow... the 12" disco remix. Forgot about that. I think I have the vinyl around here somewhere...
dancingfox wrote:
geeezzzzz...put on my red shoes and dance to the sound he's playing....what a fagot.
Ah, you've used your fun word in two separate posts. Proud of yourself? Looks like you were born somewhat late. This "humor" once passed for mainstream...
dancingfox wrote:
Get your foot tapping? More like you sucking like a seal at a circus. Bowies a fagot.
Oh, just like Elton John and many other talented artists. Do you feel better to be straight and dumb?
dancingfox wrote:
Bowies a fagot.
And you're an idiot. Bravo. Next......
elrine_rose wrote:
Well, I just love this song. I think it was one of my favorites back in the day. Whenever I want to get into a good mood (especially during my 1/2 trek to work) I just play this song. True, its not the best song of Bowie's but it is what it is: A catchy, memorable song to get your foot tapping. Whoever says that all songs have to mean something must never have any fun.
Get your foot tapping? More like you sucking like a seal at a circus. Bowies a fagot.
DoctorHooey wrote:
..//.. This is the first song I ever knew by him and I could already tell he was a weirdo. ..
That's interesting. This was the first song I ever knew by Bowie, and my disliking of it averted me from Bowie for ten years, until I finally realized the genius of Bowie found in all his previous work, so occluded by this mediocrity.
Bowie sucks... What planet are you all on? Better yet, what planet is he on. Ever been in the recording industry? Give me a shop full of computer enhancing equipment and I'll make Bowie sell like Kid Rock. geeezzzzz...put on my red shoes and dance to the sound he's playing....what a fagot.
bobringer wrote:
Always thought the highly produced rhythm guitar on this track was interesting. SRV's such a pure guitarist, it's interesting to hear his guitar work all chopped up and processed underneath the whole song... with a fairly pure solo on top. A dichotomy, if you will... :p I'm not surprised at the low rating... but I do like this even with it's pop pompocity and all.
Me too.
I gave up on Mr. David Bowie as a musical genius after Scary Monsters. But he is still a huge favorite of mine.
trekhead wrote:
SRV...I did not know that. 9.
...and Stevie backed out of the tour at the last minute. Not sure who took his place.
SRV...I did not know that. 9.
DoctorHooey wrote:
Bah, I'm a huge Bowie fan and I LOVE this song. This is the first song I ever knew by him and I could already tell he was a weirdo. It fit right in with his time, and you can't blame an artist, especially one like Bowie, for playing with the conventions of the time. I'd definitely say he made them his own - listen to those bizarre chord textures. He's got the flock of seagulls hair and the pastel shoes but he's still Bowie.
Well said! You are absolutely right, and this was also the first Bowie song I heard.
I'm a huge fan of Bowie. Someone with his range and genius can be forgiven for the occasional turd. That said, does anyone else hear Elmer Fudd in the vocals? Especially the opening.
On_The_Beach wrote:
Bowie is great; this song is not.
I second that!
Bah, I'm a huge Bowie fan and I LOVE this song. This is the first song I ever knew by him and I could already tell he was a weirdo. It fit right in with his time, and you can't blame an artist, especially one like Bowie, for playing with the conventions of the time. I'd definitely say he made them his own - listen to those bizarre chord textures. He's got the flock of seagulls hair and the pastel shoes but he's still Bowie.
Let's see...Bowie purists should calm down, for heaven's sake. It's rather transparently fashionable to denigrate Modern Love and Let's Dance and wax rhapsodic about earlier (and/or later) Bowie. And I say this as a hard core Bowie fan.
I\'m not gonna dig for nuggets an a pile of poo like this. Sorry, but the suck ruins even SRV. Let\'s dance the day, Bowie became Astley
As much as I hated the dance craze of the 80's, the fact that Bowie hired Stevie Ray Vaughn as his guitarist for thie recoerd, all sins are forgiven.
Bowie is great; this song is not.
CrowLegs wrote:
Gotta be an 8 just for the SRV bits, as small as they are.
Yep. Miss ya SRV!
Hmmm... One of the peaks of the Great David. Many critics have overlooked this dancing era in the lives of Bowie and considered it was less sincere and creative than some of his past 'arty' times. I think this is one of his most desirable albums and incarnations. Just think of the idea of putting Stevie Ray Vaughan's guitar into a track called 'Let's Dance'!
elrine_rose wrote:
True, its not the best song of Bowie's but it is what it is: A catchy, memorable song to get your foot tapping. Whoever says that all songs have to mean something must never have any fun.
I agree!
wow! ok.... I know this is not the best of Bowie but I'm a 30yo, and this is absolutely the first song that I've heard of the white duke.... goooood memories!!!
I love it...reminds me of my skinny, square ties. Not to mention my hair!
meydele wrote:
Exactly right. Sometimes dumb music is better than smart music.
Well, he was working with Iggy Pop in the years immediately preceding this!
not my favorite Bowie.
dmax wrote:
He was really at a low creative point here. This is where I began to give up on him, until he redeeemed himself a few years later with Black Tie, White Noise.
Hey it was the 80s...look what we wore. (...and the hair)
Gotta be an 8 just for the SRV bits, as small as they are.
kazuma wrote:
This is one of those rare cases where I prefer the abridged version of a song. That lunatic horn bit near the end doesn't really add anything for me.
Yes it is irritating, the song is way too long, and it doesn't even make me want to dance. Consign it to the dustbin of Paradise, please.
elrine_rose wrote:
True, its not the best song of Bowie's but it is what it is: A catchy, memorable song to get your foot tapping. Whoever says that all songs have to mean something must never have any fun.
Exactly right. Sometimes dumb music is better than smart music.
This is one of those rare cases where I prefer the abridged version of a song. That lunatic horn bit near the end doesn't really add anything for me.
Scary Monsters out shined this tune / album by a country mile. Even SRV phoned it in this time. I hope they took this gig for all it was worth. "Wet pants" used to be our refrain.
Bumped from a 6 to an 8 for SRV's licks.
I'm not a Bowie fan but I do like this. Maybe it's the Stevie Ray in it.
Ah Bill, this is such a good cut with SRV on guitar, it does make one feel like dancing, don't you agree?
Well, I just love this song. I think it was one of my favorites back in the day. Whenever I want to get into a good mood (especially during my 1/2 trek to work) I just play this song. True, its not the best song of Bowie's but it is what it is: A catchy, memorable song to get your foot tapping. Whoever says that all songs have to mean something must never have any fun.
Always thought the highly produced rhythm guitar on this track was interesting. SRV's such a pure guitarist, it's interesting to hear his guitar work all chopped up and processed underneath the whole song... with a fairly pure solo on top. A dichotomy, if you will... :p I'm not surprised at the low rating... but I do like this even with it's pop pompocity and all.
I know Bowie purists don\'t always dig this but I don\'t really care. I like some of Bowie\'s earlier work and I also dig this. And yes, guitar work courtesy of SRV although I don\'t find that totally obvious.
What about this song could let it rank with the stuff that made Bowie a name?
Aww, c\'mon. You mean you can\'t tell it\'s SRV by listening to that guitar solo? Pure, unadulterated SRV. He actually played on the entire CD. I remember hearing that Bowie \"discovered\" SRV at the Montreaux Jazz Festival. (foggy memories) Sounds like fun to have SRV, Bowie and Nile Rodgers all working together.
I usually don't like much of Bowie's work, but I must admit that I find this tune engaging. Makes me want to dance, and I don't usually feel that way The horns at the end of this do get on my nerves however.