Come Dancing

The Kinks

About Come Dancing

"Come Dancing" is a 1982 song written by Ray Davies and performed by British rock group the Kinks on their 1983 album State of Confusion. The song was inspired by Davies' memories of his older sister, Rene, who died of a heart attack while dancing at a dance hall. The lyrics, sung from the perspective of an "East End barrow boy," are about the boy's sister going on dates at a local Palais dance hall. When first released as a single in United Kingdom in November 1982, "Come Dancing" failed to chart. Although Arista Records founder Clive Davis had reservations about releasing the single in the United States due to the English subject matter of dance halls, the track saw an American single release in April 1983. "Come Dancing" reached number six on the Hot 100, becoming the band's highest US charting single in over a decade and tying with "Tired of Waiting for You" as the band's highest charting single ever. This success was achieved largely with the help of a promotional music video directed by Julien Temple that saw frequent airing on MTV. As a result of its American success, the single was re-released in Britain. Unlike its first release, the single became a top 20 British hit, reaching number 12. 


Year:
1995
3:53
161 
#3

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They put a parking lot on a piece of land
When the supermarket used to stand
Before that they put up a bowling alley
On the site that used to be the local pally
That's where the big bands used to come and play
My sister went there on a Saturday
Come dancing
All her boyfriends used to come and call
Why not come dancing, it's only natural
Another Saturday, another date
She would be ready but she's always make him wait
In the hallway, in anticipation
He didn't know the night would end up in frustration
He'd end up blowing all his wages for the week
All for a cuddle and a peck on the cheek
Come dancing
That's how they did it when I was just a kid
And when they said come dancing
My sister always did
My sister should have come in a midnight
And my mom would always sit up and wait
It always ended up in a big row
When my sister used to get home late
Out of my window I can see them in the moonlight
Two silhouettes saying goodnight by the garden gate
The day they knocked down the pally
My sister stood and cried
The day they knocked down the pally
Part of my childhood died, just died
Now I'm grown up and playing in a band
And there's a car park where the pally used to stand
My sister's married and she lives on an estate
Her daughters go out, now it's her turn to wait
She knows they get away with things she never could
But if I asked her I wonder if she would
Come dancing
Come on sister, have yourself a ball
Don't be afraid to come dancing
It's only natural
Come dancing
Just like the pally on a Saturday
And all her friends will come dancing
Where the big bands used to play

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The Kinks

The Kinks were an English rock band formed in Muswell Hill, North London, by brothers Ray and Dave Davies in 1964. Categorised in the United States as a British Invasion band, the Kinks are recognised as one of the most important and influential rock groups of the era. Their music was influenced by a wide range of genres, including rhythm and blues, British music hall, folk and country. Ray Davies (lead vocals, rhythm guitar) and Dave Davies (lead guitar, vocals) remained members throughout the group's 32-year run. Original members Pete Quaife (bass guitar, vocals) and Mick Avory (drums and percussion) were replaced by John Dalton in 1969 and Bob Henrit in 1984, respectively. Dalton was in turn replaced by Jim Rodford in 1978. Keyboardist Nicky Hopkins accomp… more »

8 fans

Written by: RAY DAVIES

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


14 facts about this song

Band Origin
"Come Dancing" is a song by the British rock band The Kinks. It was released as a single in November 1982.
Album Inclusion
It is included in the band's 1983 album "State of Confusion."
Commercial Success
"Come Dancing" became one of the band's biggest hits in the United States, peaking at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
U.K. Position
In their home country, the U.K., it reached No. 12 on the Singles Chart.
Song Inspiration
The song was inspired by the childhood memories of the band's lead singer, Ray Davies, of his older sisters going out to dance at the local Palais.
Song Writer
"Come Dancing" was written solely by Ray Davies.
Music Video
The music video for the song featured a young couple meeting at a dance hall in the 1950s, then flash-forwarding to the same place, now a supermarket, in the 1980s, reflecting the song's nostalgic lyrics.
Subsequent Reworkings
"Come Dancing" was re-recorded for The Kinks' 1986 compilation album "Come Dancing with The Kinks" and was also performed live during many of their later concerts.
Resurgence
The song gained renewed popularity in the 1990s when it was used as the theme song for a UK television series of the same name.
Broadway Musical
"Come Dancing" was also included in a jukebox musical featuring the songs of The Kinks, also titled "Come Dancing," which premiered in London in 2008.
Return to Charts
Due to its inclusion in the musical, the song re-entered the UK Singles Chart in September 2008.
Cover Versions
Various artists have covered "Come Dancing," including power pop band The Shazam and punk rock band Face to Face.
Song Theme
The song is seen as an homage to the traditional British working-class pastime of dancing at local venues on weekends, a practice that was becoming less common by the time the song was released.
Symbolic Meaning
It is also symbolic of the urbanization and modernization of Britain, as many of these dance halls were being demolished to make way for office buildings and supermarkets.

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    Come Dancing

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1983

    Billboard #6


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