Wednesday November 24, 2021 “Dance the Night Away” Van Halen
This would be the high kicking David Lee Roth version of Van Halen.
Van Halen didn’t want to release this as the lead single from their second album creatively called Van Halen II because they didn't think it represented their sound, but they didn't have the clout to overrule their record company. And who wrote this non Van Halen sounding song? Van Halen did.
Gene Simmons of Kiss saw Van Halen perform at a club in 1977, and was so impressed with the band that he helped them produce a demo tape, flew them to New York and bought them new clothes for a stint to introduce them to his record label. Simmons even suggested they change the band name to Daddy Long Legs, but the band dissented. Simmons took the demo tape to Kiss’ management, but it was rejected because “they had no chance of making it.”
It’s always interesting to have some perspective on a song’s meaning from one of the songwriters and in this case David Lee Roth explained that “Dance the Night Away” is a “...tribute to an intoxicated woman who was having sex in the back of a truck and ran with her pants on backwards while escaping police officers into the bar where Van Halen was playing.” That certainly gives the song a different frame of reference.
OK, this is just weird but David Lee Roth has been certified to fly helicopters since 2006, has trained in NYC as an Emergency Medical Technician and has gone on over 200 medical emergency calls.
Stay safe and well...and dance the night away, just stay out of trucks.
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)