Monday August 24, 2020 “Dancing in the Streets” David Bowie & Mick Jagger

Summer’s still here and the time is right for dancing in the streets.

  Co-written by Marvin Gaye “Dancin in the Streets” was originally done by Martha and the Vandellas (remember them from a while back when we found out that a Vandella was a demon who invaded your dreams).  So why not go with the original?  C’mon this is Bowie and Jagger doing their 80’s jumpin and jiving, cheesiest choreography ever...wait, did they just kiss each other there?

 Clearly they took the lyrics to heart when preparing for this video, “It doesn’t matter what you wear…”

 This track and video was put together at the request of (Sir) Bob Geldof then of the Boomtown Rats (“I Hate Mondays”) who asked Bowie and Jagger to do it for the historic Live Aid concert that Geldof put together.  The original idea was to have them do it live at the concert but with Bowie in London, Jagger in Philadelphia and a four second delay it proved technically impossible.

 The backing band on the recording was Bowie’s touring band and the drummer recalled at the filming of the video that Jagger was constantly trying to upstage Bowie.  Watch and see if you agree.  They also took some liberties with some of the destinations referenced in the original song to keep it more appropriate with the Live Aid theme.

 The two nearly simultaneous live events which featured a who’s who of the rock world, one in London and the other in Philadelphia raised over $127 million for Africian nations.

 Stay safe and well...and get out your dancing shoes and head out into the street, or maybe just into the kitchen.

Callin' out around the world

Are you ready for a brand new beat?

Summer's here and the time is right

For dancin' in the streets

They're dancin' in Chicago

Down in New Orleans

Up in New York City

 All we need is music (sweet music)

Sweet music (sweet music)

There'll be music everywhere (everywhere)

There'll be swingin', swayin' and records playin'

And dancin' in the streets

 Oh, it doesn't matter what you wear

Just as long as you are there

So come on, every guy (come on) grab a girl

Everywhere around the world

There'll be dancing

They're dancing in the street

 This is an invitation

Across the nation

A chance for the folks to meet

There'll be laughin', singin', and music swingin'

And dancin' in the streets

 Philadelphia, P.A. (Philadelphia, P.A.)

Baltimore and DC now (Baltimore and DC now)

Yeah, don't forget the Motor City

(Can't forget the Motor City)

All we need is music (sweet music)

Sweet music (sweet music)

There'll be music everywhere (everywhere)

There'll be swingin', swayin' and records playin'

And dancin' in the street, yeah

 Oh, it doesn't matter what you wear

Just as long as you are there

So come on, every guy (come on, come on) grasp a girl

Everywhere around the world

 There'll be dan-, fun

They dancin' in the streets

Philadelphia, P.A. (Philadelphia, P.A.)

Baltimore and DC now (Baltimore and DC now)

Can't we forget that Motor City

(Can't forget the Motor City)

Way down in L.A., California

(Way down in L.A., California)

 Not to mention Halifax, Nova Scotia (not to mention, indeed)

Or Long Barn, they do that Riverdale, cream you know (yes, I know)

Manchester (and, oh, Amherst, Amherst)

Alexandria (Virginia, Virginia)

Falls Church (where's that?)

Oh, Boyle Heights (Boyle Heights, never heard of it)