Dance Hall Days

Last updated

"Dance Hall Days"
DanceHallDays cover.jpg
Single by Wang Chung
from the album Points on the Curve
B-side
  • "Why Do You Laugh?" (1982)
  • "There Is a Nation" (1984)
Released
  • October 1982 (original)
  • 6 January 1984 (re-recorded version) [1]
Studio Abbey Road (London) (re-recorded version)
Genre New wave [2]
Length3:58
Label Geffen
Songwriter(s) Jack Hues
Producer(s)
Wang Chung singles chronology
"China"
(1982)		"Dance Hall Days"
(1982)		"Don't Let Go"
(1984)
Audio sample
"Dance Hall Days"

"Dance Hall Days" is a song by the English new wave band Wang Chung. It was originally released as a single in 1982 when the band was called Huang Chung, then it was re-recorded and released a year later in 1983 for the studio album Points on the Curve. It was the band's only single to make the top 40 in the UK. In the US, it peaked at No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 and went to number one on the Dance Club Songs chart.

Contents

Music videos

Two different music videos were made to promote the single. The first version of the video, directed by Derek Jarman, [3] is a collection of home movies [4] with the majority of the archive footage consisting of a stage show with swimmers and fountains, and other World War II-era material. Apparently, the footage is courtesy of the director's father, who was one of the first people to use a colour home movie camera. The toddler in the home movie footage is the director himself as a child. [5] The home movies are interspersed amid footage of Jack, Nick, and Darren, lip-synching and playing the violin. The band are also dressed up as characters from The Wizard of Oz (1900) at the end of the video, with Jack Hues as the Tin Man, Nick Feldman as the Scarecrow, and Darren Costin as the Lion.

The second version of the video is a magical fantasy concept video set in the 1940s, the heyday of dance halls. The video begins in black and white, with Jack Hues stopping in front of a closed-down hall, setting down the suitcase he carries, and picking up a flyer. The scene shifts to colour, featuring the band performing in the packed hall with the backing of a big band as couples dance. Later, a disco ball descends to the floor and breaks open, allowing a mirror-covered dancer to emerge. The video ends in black and white, with Hues walking past the hall and down the street; he leaves his suitcase behind, but it sprouts legs and hurries off after him.

This version was nominated for Best New Artist at the 1984 MTV Video Music Awards, losing to "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" by Eurythmics. [6]

Track listing

7" Geffen / A3837 (UK) – 1984 [7]
No.TitleLength
1."Dance Hall Days"3:58
2."There Is a Nation"3:37
12" Geffen / TA3837 (UK) – 1984 [7]
No.TitleLength
1."Dance Hall Days (Remix)"8:02
2."There Is a Nation"3:37
CD August Day / 042 (UK) – 2019 [8]
No.TitleLength
1."Dance Hall Days (Orchestral Version)"4:22
2."Dance Hall Days (Daniele Baldelli & DJ Rocca Vocal Remix)"5:27
3."Dance Hall Days (Kim and Buran Disco Mix)"6:13
4."Dance Hall Days (Psychemagik Remix)"4:01
5."Dance Hall Days (Orcapella)"4:05

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) [32]
2004 release 		Silver200,000‡

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">What's Love Got to Do with It (song)</span> 1984 single by Tina Turner

"What's Love Got to Do with It" is a song written by Graham Lyle and Terry Britten, and recorded by Tina Turner for her fifth studio album, Private Dancer (1984). Capitol Records released it as a single from Private Dancer in May 1984 and it eventually became Turner's biggest-selling single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cruel Summer (Bananarama song)</span> 1983 single by Bananarama

"Cruel Summer" is a song by English girl group Bananarama. It was written by Bananarama and Steve Jolley, Tony Swain, and produced by Jolley and Swain. Released in 1983, it was initially a stand-alone single but was subsequently included on their self-titled second album a year later. The song reached number eight on the UK Singles Chart in 1983 and the group performed it live on the BBC's Top of the Pops that summer, and after its inclusion in the 1984 film The Karate Kid, it reached number nine on the US Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wang Chung (band)</span> British new wave band

Wang Chung are an English new wave band, formed in London in 1980 by Nick Feldman, Jack Hues and Darren Costin. The name Wang Chung is Chinese, meaning "yellow bell" in English, and is the first note in the Chinese classical music scale. The band found their greatest success in the US, with five top 40 hits there, all charting between 1983 and 1987, including "Dance Hall Days", "Everybody Have Fun Tonight" and "Let's Go!".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Everybody Have Fun Tonight</span> 1986 Single by Wang Chung

"Everybody Have Fun Tonight" is a song by the English new wave band Wang Chung, released as a single from their fourth studio album Mosaic in 1986. Collaboratively written by Jack Hues, Nick Feldman, and Peter Wolf, it reached no. 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart during the 1986 Christmas season, behind "Walk Like an Egyptian" by the Bangles. It also hit No. 1 on the Canada RPM Top 100 Singles chart the week of 17 January 1987. With some different lyrics, the original ballad version of the song was placed on the B-side.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Reflex</span> 1984 single by Duran Duran

"The Reflex" is the eleventh single by English new wave band Duran Duran, released in 1984. The song was heavily remixed for single release and was the third and last to be taken from their third studio album Seven and the Ragged Tiger (1983). The single became the band's first to reach the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and their second to top the UK Singles Chart.

"I Feel for You" is a song written by American musician Prince that originally appeared on his 1979 self-titled album. The most successful and best-known version was recorded by R&B singer Chaka Khan and appeared on her 1984 album of the same name. It became the recipient of two Grammy Awards for Best R&B Song and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for Khan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Safety Dance</span> Single by Men Without Hats

"The Safety Dance" is a song by Canadian new wave/synth-pop band Men Without Hats, released in Canada in 1982 as the second single from Rhythm of Youth. The song was written by lead singer Ivan Doroschuk after he had been ejected from a club for pogo dancing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adult Education (song)</span> 1984 single by Hall & Oates

"Adult Education" is a song by American duo Daryl Hall & John Oates, released as a single in February 1984. The song was featured on the duo's second compilation album Rock 'n Soul Part 1 and was one of two new tracks that were recorded specifically for the compilation release. The single hit number eight on the US Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uptown Girl</span> 1983 single by Billy Joel

"Uptown Girl" is a song written and performed by American musician Billy Joel from his ninth studio album An Innocent Man (1983), released in September 1983 as the album's second single. The lyrics describe a working-class "downtown man" attempting to woo a wealthy "uptown girl". The 12" EP has the tracks "My Life", "Just the Way You Are" and "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me", whereas some 7" single versions featured "Careless Talk" as a B-side.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">People Are People</span> 1984 single by Depeche Mode

"People Are People" is a song by British electronic music band Depeche Mode, released on 12 March 1984 as the lead single from their fourth studio album, Some Great Reward (1984). Recorded at Hansa Mischraum in West Berlin, it was the band's first top-20 single in the United States, peaking at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Smalltown Boy</span> 1984 single by Bronski Beat

"Smalltown Boy" is the debut single by the British synth-pop band Bronski Beat, released in May 1984. The lyrics describe a young gay man who is forced to leave home.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Play That Funky Music</span> 1976 single by Wild Cherry

"Play That Funky Music" is a song written by Rob Parissi and recorded by the band Wild Cherry. The single was the first released by the Cleveland-based Sweet City record label in April 1976 and distributed by Epic Records. The performers on the recording included lead singer Parissi, electric guitarist Bryan Bassett, bassist Allen Wentz, and drummer Ron Beitle, with session players Chuck Berginc, Jack Brndiar (trumpets), and Joe Eckert and Rick Singer (saxes) on the horn riff that runs throughout the song's verses. The single hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on September 18, 1976; it was also No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart. The single was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for shipments of over 2 million records and eventually sold 2.5 million in the United States alone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Out of Touch</span> 1984 single by Daryl Hall & John Oates

"Out of Touch" is a song by American duo Daryl Hall & John Oates from their twelfth studio album Big Bam Boom (1984). The song was released as the lead single from Big Bam Boom on Thursday, October 4, 1984, by RCA Records. This song was their last Billboard Hot 100 number-one single, topping the chart for two weeks in December 1984. It also became the duo's fourteenth consecutive top 40 hit since 1980.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dancing in the Dark (Bruce Springsteen song)</span> 1984 single by Bruce Springsteen

"Dancing in the Dark" is a song written and performed by American rock singer Bruce Springsteen. It was the first single released ahead from his 1984 album, Born in the U.S.A., and became his biggest hit, helping the album become the best-selling album of his career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let's Go! (Wang Chung song)</span> 1987 Single by Wang Chung

"Let's Go!" is a single by the English new wave band Wang Chung, released on 6 January 1987 from their fourth studio album, Mosaic (1986). The single was a hit for the band in the United States, where it provided them with their second and last Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in April 1987, peaking at No. 9. The single also formed the basis for its official music video. It also hit No. 9 on the Canada RPM Top 100 Singles chart. Jack Hues sings the verses of the song, and Nick Feldman sings the bridge. Both sing the chorus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Original Sin (INXS song)</span> 1983 single by INXS

"Original Sin" is a song by Australian rock group INXS, released as the first single from the band's fourth album, The Swing. It was written by Michael Hutchence and Andrew Farriss, and produced by Nile Rodgers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dancing with Tears in My Eyes</span> 1984 single by Ultravox

"Dancing with Tears in My Eyes" is the second single from Lament, Ultravox's seventh studio album, released on 11 May 1984.

Adam Ant is a British post-punk, new wave artist. He was the lead singer of Adam & the Ants until their split in early 1982, by which time they had recorded three studio albums. Ant, however, would go solo, and release an additional five studio albums throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. After a gap of nearly 18 years, his sixth released solo studio album came out in early 2013. A planned follow-up album recorded the following year currently officially remains at developmental stage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Run to You (Bryan Adams song)</span> 1984 single by Bryan Adams

"Run to You" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Bryan Adams. It was released in 1984 as the lead single from his fourth album, Reckless (1984). The track deals with the subject of infidelity, and is sung from the perspective of a man who declares that he will continue to "run to" his seductive mistress over his faithful partner; critic Ira Robbins for CMJ called it a "cheating classic". In the accompanying music video, however, Adams portrays his guitar as the object of desire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Radio Ga Ga</span> 1984 single by Queen

"Radio Ga Ga" is a 1984 song performed and recorded by the British rock band Queen, written by their drummer Roger Taylor. It was released as a single with "I Go Crazy" by Brian May as the B-side. It was included as the opening track on the album The Works and is also featured on the band's compilation albums Greatest Hits II and Classic Queen.

References

  1. ↑ "Great rock discography". p. 882.
  2. ↑ Mason, Stewart. "Dance Hall Days – Song Review". AllMusic . Retrieved 4 February 2014.
  3. ↑ Wymer, Rowland (2005). Derek Jarman. Manchester University Press. p. 188. ISBN   0-7190-5690-X.
  4. ↑ Derek Jarman 1942-1994 | Avant-gardener - CIVILIAN
  5. ↑ Soundtrack Mix #28: Forever Blue: An Ode to Derek Jarman on Notebook|MUBI
  6. ↑ Morgan, Chris (27 August 2015). "Exploring The Good, Bad, And Very Ugly Of MTV's 'Best New Artist' Award". Uproxx . Archived from the original on 19 January 2016. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  7. 1 2 3 "Wang Chung – Dance Hall Days" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 17 June 2013.
  8. ↑ Dance Hall Days orchestral version (liner notes). Wang Chung. Spirit Music Group. 2019. ADAY42.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. ↑ "Hits of the World". Billboard . Vol. 96, no. 29. 21 July 1984. p. 62. ISSN   0006-2510.
  10. ↑ "Wang Chung – Dance Hall Days" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 17 June 2013.
  11. ↑ Lwin, Nanda (2000). Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide. Mississauga, Ontario: Music Data Canada. ISBN   1-896-594-13-1.
  12. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 6737." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 17 June 2013.
  13. ↑ "European Hot 100 Singles". Eurotipsheet . Vol. 1, no. 7. 14 May 1984. p. 8.
  14. ↑ "Le Détail par Artiste". InfoDisc (in French). Select "Wang Chung" from the artist drop-down menu. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
  15. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Dance Hall Days". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 17 June 2013.
  16. ↑ "Classifiche". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, with "Dance Hall Days" in the "Titolo" field, click "cerca". Retrieved 2 June 2022.
  17. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 16, 1984" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 17 June 2013.
  18. ↑ "Wang Chung – Dance Hall Days". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 17 June 2013.
  19. ↑ "Wang Chung – Dance Hall Days". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 17 June 2013.
  20. ↑ "Wang Chung – Dance Hall Days". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 17 June 2013.
  21. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 17 June 2013.
  22. 1 2 "Wang Chung – Awards". AllMusic . Retrieved 17 June 2013.
  23. ↑ "CASH BOX Top 100 Singles – Week ending JULY 21, 1984". Cashbox . Archived from the original on 1 October 2012.
  24. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Wang Chung – Dance Hall Days" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 17 June 2013.
  25. ↑ "National Top 100 Singles for 1984". Kent Music Report. 31 December 1984. Retrieved 12 January 2022– via Imgur.
  26. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 1984" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
  27. ↑ "Top 100 Singles of 1984". RPM . Vol. 41, no. 17. 5 January 1985. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
  28. ↑ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1984" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40 . Retrieved 1 February 2014.
  29. ↑ "Top 100 Hits for 1984". The Longbored Surfer. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
  30. ↑ "Top Dance Singles/Albums". Billboard. Vol. 96, no. 51. 22 December 1984. p. 25. ISSN   0006-2510.
  31. ↑ "Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 1984" (in German). GfK Entertainment . Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  32. ↑ "British single certifications – Wang Chung – Dance Hall Days". British Phonographic Industry.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.