Attitude Dancing

Last updated
"Attitude Dancing"
CarlysimonAttitudedancingresized.jpg
Single by Carly Simon
from the album Playing Possum
B-side "Are You Ticklish"
ReleasedMay 1975
Recorded1975
Genre Pop, Rock, Disco
Length3:52
Label Elektra
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Richard Perry
Carly Simon singles chronology
"Haven't Got Time for the Pain"
(1974)
"Attitude Dancing"
(1975)
"Waterfall"
(1975)

"Attitude Dancing" is a song written by Carly Simon and Jacob Brackman, performed by Simon and produced by Richard Perry. The song served as lead single from Simon's fifth studio album, Playing Possum (1975).

Contents

The single became a Top 40 hit, peaking at No. 21 on the Billboard Pop singles chart and No. 18 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. [1] The single also charted in Australia, peaking at No. 70 on the ARIA Charts, [2] and was a Top 40 hit in Canada, peaking at No. 21. [3] It was included as the final track on The Best of Carly Simon , released later in the same year. Simon later included the track on her two-disc career retrospective set Anthology , released in 2002. [4] Carole King provided backing vocals on the track. Simon was the pianist on the track.

Critical reception

Stephen Holden, writing for Rolling Stone , called the track "the album's showstopper" and went on to say: "Easily the most exciting Carly Simon cut since "You're So Vain," "Attitude Dancing" boasts nifty nonsense lyrics by Jacob Brackman and one of Richard Perry's tour de force productions: strutting horns, razorsharp string lines, perfect backup vocals by various luminaries and Jim Gordon's impeccable, essential drumming. Simon's vocal is genuinely sassy; she even lets herself growl a bit." [5] The song was the first real disco hit of both herself and of her record label at the time, Elektra Records. Billboard called it "a fine rocker with a combination fun/serious storyline," and also praised the vocal performances. [6] Cash Box said it contains "the same, vibrant qualities which have made her past efforts so successful." [7]

Track listing

7" single [8]

Chart history

Chart (1975)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA Charts)70
Canada (RPM) Top Singles21
Canada (RPM) Adult Contemporary [9] 26
US Billboard Pop Singles (Hot 100) 21
US Billboard Adult Contemporary 18

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm Every Woman</span> 1978 single by Chaka Khan

"I'm Every Woman" is a song by American singer Chaka Khan, released as her debut solo single from her first album, Chaka (1978). It was Khan's first hit outside her recordings with the funk band Rufus. "I'm Every Woman" was produced by Arif Mardin and written by the successful songwriting team Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson. The single established Chaka's career outside the group Rufus, whom she would leave after their eighth studio album Masterjam was released in late 1979.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Tracks of My Tears</span> 1965 single by the Miracles

"The Tracks of My Tears" is a song written by Smokey Robinson, Pete Moore, and Marv Tarplin. It is a multiple award-winning 1965 hit R&B song originally recorded by their group, The Miracles, on Motown's Tamla label. The Miracles' million-selling original version has been inducted into The Grammy Hall of Fame, has been ranked by the Recording Industry Association of America and The National Endowment for the Arts at No. 127 in its list of the "Songs of the Century" – the 365 Greatest Songs of the 20th Century, and has been selected by Rolling Stone as No. 50 on its list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time", among many other awards. In 2021, Rolling Stone ranked The Miracles' original recording of "The Tracks of My Tears" as "The Greatest Motown Song of All Time."

<i>Playing Possum</i> 1975 studio album by Carly Simon

Playing Possum is the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter Carly Simon, released by Elektra Records, on April 21, 1975.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nobody Does It Better</span> 1977 single by Carly Simon

"Nobody Does It Better" is a power ballad and the theme song for the James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me (1977). Composed by Marvin Hamlisch with lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager, the song was produced by Richard Perry and performed by Carly Simon. It was the first Bond theme song to be titled differently from the name of the film since Dr. No (1962), although the phrase "the spy who loved me" is included in the lyrics. The song was released as a single from the film's soundtrack album, and became a major worldwide hit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shake It Up (The Cars song)</span> 1981 single by the Cars

"Shake It Up" is a song by American rock band the Cars from their fourth studio album of the same name (1981). It was released on November 9, 1981, as the album's lead single. Although appearing for the first time in 1981, it was actually written years earlier by the band's songwriter and lead singer Ric Ocasek. The song became one of the Cars' most popular songs, peaking at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and number two on the Billboard Top Tracks chart in early 1982. With the track "Cruiser" as its B-side, it reached number 14 on the Billboard Disco Top 80 chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let's Go (The Cars song)</span> 1979 single by the Cars

"Let's Go" is a song by American rock band the Cars, written by Ric Ocasek for the band's second studio album, Candy-O (1979). A new wave rock song, the song's hook was inspired by the Routers. The song's vocals are performed by bassist Benjamin Orr.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Magic Man</span> 1975 song and single by Heart

"Magic Man" is a song by the American rock band Heart released as a single off their debut album, Dreamboat Annie. Written and composed by Ann and Nancy Wilson, the song is sung from the viewpoint of a young girl who is being seduced by an older man, much to the chagrin of her mother, who calls and begs the girl to come home. In an interview, Ann Wilson revealed that the "Magic Man" was her then boyfriend, band manager Michael Fisher, and that part of the song was an autobiographical tale of the beginnings of their relationship. The album version of "Magic Man" features an over-two-minute instrumental break which consists of a guitar solo and the usage of a Minimoog synthesizer, while the single version of the song edits out most of this break, cutting it down from 5:28 to 3:29.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anticipation (song)</span> Song by Carly Simon

"Anticipation" is a song written and performed by Carly Simon, and the lead single from her 1971 album of the same name. The song peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard pop singles chart and at No. 3 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. The song also ranked No. 72 on Billboard's Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1972, while the Anticipation album garnered Simon a Grammy Award nomination for Best Pop Female Vocalist. Simon wrote the song on the guitar in 15 minutes, as she awaited Cat Stevens to pick her up for a date.

"Mockingbird" is a 1963 song written and recorded by Inez and Charlie Foxx, based on the lullaby "Hush, Little Baby".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">When Will I Be Loved (song)</span> 1960 single by the Everly Brothers

"When Will I Be Loved" is a popular song written by Phil Everly of the Everly Brothers, who had a US top-ten hit with it in 1960. Linda Ronstadt covered the song in 1975, and her version was an even bigger hit in the US, peaking at No. 2. Vince Gill also covered it in 1994 on the soundtrack of the film 8 Seconds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Belong to Me (Carly Simon song)</span> 1978 song by Carly Simon

"You Belong to Me" is a song written by American singer-songwriters Carly Simon and Michael McDonald. Originally recorded by McDonald's rock group The Doobie Brothers for their seventh studio album, Livin' on the Fault Line (1977), the song was made famous by Simon when she recorded it for her seventh studio album, Boys in the Trees (1978). A live version of the song from The Doobie Brothers' 1983 album Farewell Tour would later chart on the Pop Singles chart at No. 79 in August 1983.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Little Town</span> 1975 single by Simon & Garfunkel

"My Little Town" is a 1975 song by the American duo Simon & Garfunkel. It was written by Paul Simon, who produced the track along with Art Garfunkel and Phil Ramone. The song was included on the 1975 solo releases from both Simon and Garfunkel (Breakaway). It would not appear on any of the duo's albums until the 1997 anthology box set Old Friends and the 1999 compilation album The Best of Simon and Garfunkel. It was the first single release credited to the duo since the 1972 release of "America", released in conjunction with Simon and Garfunkel's Greatest Hits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">That's the Way I've Always Heard It Should Be</span> 1971 single by Carly Simon

"That's the Way I've Always Heard It Should Be" is a song performed by Carly Simon, and the lead single from her self-titled debut album Carly Simon (1971). Her friend and frequent collaborator Jacob Brackman wrote the lyrics and Simon wrote the music. The song reached peak positions of No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and No. 6 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. The song also earned Simon a nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 14th Annual Grammy Awards in 1972, where she also won Best New Artist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Midnight Blue (Melissa Manchester song)</span> 1975 single by Melissa Manchester

"Midnight Blue" is a song by American singer and songwriter Melissa Manchester, written by herself alongside Carole Bayer Sager and produced by Vini Poncia with an executive production by Richard Perry. It was released in April 1975 as the first single from Manchester's third studio album, Melissa (1975).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Right Thing to Do</span> 1973 single by Carly Simon

"The Right Thing to Do" is a song written and performed by Carly Simon that first appeared on her 1972 album No Secrets. The song was recorded at Trident Studios in London's Soho. It was released as the second single to the album, following "You're So Vain" and reached No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 4 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart. It also reached No. 20 on the Canada Top Singles chart and No. 9 on the Canadian Adult Contemporary chart. It reached No. 17 in the UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jesse (song)</span> 1980 single by Carly Simon

"Jesse" is a song written and performed by American singer-songwriter Carly Simon. Produced by Mike Mainieri, the song served as the lead single from Simon's ninth studio album, Come Upstairs (1980).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Haven't Got Time for the Pain</span> 1974 single by Carly Simon

"Haven't Got Time for the Pain" is a song written by Carly Simon and Jacob Brackman that was first released on Simon's 1974 album Hotcakes. It was also released as a single, reaching No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 2 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All I Want Is You (Carly Simon song)</span> 1987 single by Carly Simon

"All I Want Is You" is the fourth and final single from Carly Simon's 13th studio album Coming Around Again (1987). The song was co-written by Simon, Andy Goldmark, and frequent collaborator Jacob Brackman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waterfall (Carly Simon song)</span> 1975 single by Carly Simon

"Waterfall" is a song written and performed by Carly Simon, and produced by Richard Perry. The song served as the second single from Simon's fifth studio album, Playing Possum (1975).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)</span> 1964 song performed by Marvin Gaye

"How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)" is a song recorded by American soul singer Marvin Gaye from his fifth studio album of the same name (1965). It was written in 1964 by the Motown songwriting team of Holland–Dozier–Holland, and produced by Brian Holland and Lamont Dozier. The song title was inspired by one of the actor and comedian Jackie Gleason's signature phrases, "How Sweet It Is!"

References

  1. "Carly Simon - Chart history". Billboard . Archived from the original on October 21, 2022. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
  2. David Kent (1993). Australian Charts Book 1970—1992. Australian Chart Book Pty Ltd, Turramurra, N.S.W. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  3. "CAN Charts > Carly Simon". RPM. Archived from the original on January 4, 2015. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
  4. "Anthology". Carlysimon.com. Archived from the original on February 3, 2007. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
  5. Holden, Stephen (June 19, 1975). "Playing Possum review". Rolling Stone . Retrieved May 19, 2014.
  6. "Top Single Picks" (PDF). Billboard . May 10, 1975. p. 50. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  7. "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box . May 3, 1975. p. 20. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
  8. "Attitude Dancing 7" single". Discogs . 1975. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
  9. "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. July 19, 1975. Retrieved June 21, 2019.