I Don't Wanna Dance (Eddy Grant song)

Last updated
"I Don't Wanna Dance"
Single by Eddy Grant
from the album Killer on the Rampage
Released1982 (UK) [1] / July 1983 (US)
Genre Reggae, [1] [2] pop rock [3]
Length3:40
Label Ice Records (UK) [1]
Songwriter(s) Eddy Grant [1]
Producer(s) Eddy Grant [1]

"I Don't Wanna Dance" is a 1982 single by Eddy Grant. It went to number one on the UK Singles Chart and held there for three weeks in November 1982. [4] It was later released in the United States, but only reached No. 53 on the Billboard Hot 100 in late 1983. It was later reissued as the B-side of Grant's "Electric Avenue".

Contents

The song expresses Eddy's farewell to Britain being a land of class and colour divisions. Grant explained to the Daily Telegraph on June 27, 2008: "I Don't Wanna Dance can mean that you don't want to go out on the dancefloor or it could mean that you don't want to go along with an idea. That's how I try to write: you take it how you want, but I am basically a writer of protest." [5]

In a 1988 interview for Yugoslav RTV Revija, Grant said: "I Don't Wanna Dance was created during a tour. I was sitting in the dressing room, waiting for my concert to begin. Suddenly I put together the chords and, tone by tone, the outline of the song was born. Since I'm not an exclusively reggae, rock or pop musician, I'm not limited in my songwriting." [6]

Written and produced by Grant, it was the most successful of his solo singles in the United Kingdom, and his first number one since "Baby Come Back" by The Equals in 1968. [7]

Charts

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'</span> 1983 single by Michael Jackson

"Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" is a song by American singer-songwriter Michael Jackson recorded for his sixth studio album Thriller (1982). It is the opening track of the album and was released as its fourth single on May 9, 1983, by Epic Records. It was written and co-produced by Jackson and produced by Quincy Jones. The lyrics pertain to strangers spreading rumors to start an argument for no good reason. "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" evokes the disco sound of Jackson's previous studio album, Off the Wall, released in 1979. The song is characterized by a complex rhythm arrangement and a distinctive horn arrangement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)</span> 1987 single by Whitney Houston

"I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)" is a song recorded by American singer Whitney Houston for her second studio album, Whitney (1987). It was released as the lead single from the album on April 28, 1987, by Arista Records. It was produced by Narada Michael Walden, and written by George Merrill and Shannon Rubicam, of the band Boy Meets Girl, who had previously collaborated with Houston on "How Will I Know". At the 30th Annual Grammy Awards, "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)" won for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, marking Houston's second win in the category.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Don't Wanna Know</span> 2004 single by Mario Winans

"I Don't Wanna Know" is a song by American singer Mario Winans, featuring American rapper P. Diddy and Irish singer Enya. The song is based on a sample of the Fugees' song "Ready or Not", which in turn samples the synthesizer riff from Enya's song "Boadicea". The drums are sampled from the end of EPMD's "You're a Customer".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Walk Away (Jade song)</span> 1992 single by Jade

"Don't Walk Away" is a song by American R&B group Jade, released in November 1992 by Giant Records as the second single from their debut album, Jade to the Max (1992). It samples the drums from Kool & the Gang's 1975 song "Jungle Jazz" and the chords progression from Stevie Wonder's 1982 song "That Girl". The song was both written and produced by Vassal Benford III and Ronald Spearman, and peaked at number two on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and number four on the Billboard Hot 100. Outside of the United States, it also peaked within the top 10 in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, reaching respectively number seven and nine. Its music video was directed by Eric Meza. The success of the single landed the trio spots on The Tonight Show, The Arsenio Hall Show, and Top of the Pops in the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Please Don't Go (KC and the Sunshine Band song)</span> 1979 single by KC and the Sunshine Band

"Please Don't Go" is a song written by Harry Wayne Casey and Richard Finch, then members of KC and the Sunshine Band, and released as the second single from the band's sixth album, Do You Wanna Go Party (1979). Cover versions of the song that reached the top songs charts were recorded by Double You (1992), KWS (1992), and Basshunter (2008).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Wanna Lose You</span> 1989 single by Gloria Estefan

"Don't Wanna Lose You" is a song by Cuban-American singer-songwriter Gloria Estefan, released on June 21, 1989 as the first single by Epic Records from her debut solo album, Cuts Both Ways (1989). The song is written by Estefan and produced by her husband, Emilio Estefan, Jr. It reached #1 in the US on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Cash Box Top 100 and was also certified Gold.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Wanna Sex You Up</span> 1991 single by Color Me Badd

"I Wanna Sex You Up" is a song by American R&B group Color Me Badd, released in March 1991 as the lead single from their debut album, C.M.B. (1991). The song was produced by Dr. Freeze and was also featured on the soundtrack to the 1991 film New Jack City, starring Wesley Snipes, Ice-T, Chris Rock and Judd Nelson. The song heavily samples “Tonight is the Night” by Betty Wright.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All I Wanna Do Is Make Love to You</span> 1990 single by Heart

"All I Wanna Do Is Make Love to You" is a song by American rock band Heart. It was composed by veteran songwriter and producer Robert John "Mutt" Lange and released as the lead single from the band's tenth studio album, Brigade, in March 1990. The song was first recorded as "All I Want to Do Is Make Love to You" by Dobie Gray in 1979, though with different lyrics. The Heart version tells the story of a woman who sets out to seduce a hitchhiker in order to become pregnant because although there is a man in her life, he is infertile.

"Don't Leave Me This Way" is a song written by Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff and Cary Gilbert. It was originally released in 1975 by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes featuring Teddy Pendergrass, an act signed to Gamble & Huff's Philadelphia International label. "Don't Leave Me This Way" was subsequently covered by American singer Thelma Houston in 1976 and British duo the Communards in 1986, with both versions achieving commercial success.

<i>Killer on the Rampage</i> 1982 studio album by Eddy Grant

Killer on the Rampage is the sixth studio album by Eddy Grant. It remains his most successful album, hitting the top 10 in the US and the UK. It features the hits "Electric Avenue", "I Don't Wanna Dance" and "War Party".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Electric Avenue (song)</span> 1983 single by Eddy Grant

"Electric Avenue" is a song by Guyanese-British musician Eddy Grant. Written and produced by Grant, it was released on his 1982 studio album Killer on the Rampage. In the United States, with the help of the MTV music video he made, it was one of the biggest hits of 1983. The song refers to Electric Avenue in London during the 1981 Brixton riot.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Only Want to Be with You</span> 1963 single by Dusty Springfield

"I Only Want to Be with You" is a song written by Mike Hawker and Ivor Raymonde. Released as a debut solo single by British singer Dusty Springfield under her long-time producer Johnny Franz, "I Only Want to Be with You" peaked at number 4 on the UK Singles chart in January 1964.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Don't Wanna Fight</span> 1993 single by Tina Turner

"I Don't Wanna Fight" is a song by American singer and actress Tina Turner, released in April 1993 by Parlophone. The track was co-written by British singer Lulu, her brother Billy Lawrie, and Steve DuBerry. The song was first offered to singer Sade, who sent it on to Turner. Turner recorded it in 1993 as part of the soundtrack for her autobiographical film, What's Love Got to Do with It. Lulu's version appears as a B-side to her 1993 single "How 'Bout Us" as well as on the 2003 album The Greatest Hits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Stop the Music (Rihanna song)</span> 2007 single by Rihanna

"Don't Stop the Music" is a song recorded by Barbadian singer Rihanna for her third studio album, Good Girl Gone Bad (2007). It was released worldwide on September 7, 2007, as the album's fourth single by Def Jam Recordings. The song was written by Tawanna Dabney and its producers StarGate. Michael Jackson also received a songwriting credit for the sampling of the line "Mama-say, mama-sa, ma-ma-koosa" from Jackson's 1983 single "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'". Both Rihanna and Jackson were sued by Cameroonian musician Manu Dibango, who asserted that the hook originated in his 1972 song "Soul Makossa". "Don't Stop the Music" is a dance track that features rhythmic devices used primarily in hip hop music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Go (Yazoo song)</span> 1982 single by Yazoo

"Don't Go" is a song by British synth-pop band Yazoo. It was released in 1982 as the second single from their debut album, Upstairs at Eric's. The song peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart, becoming Yazoo's second top 5 hit. In the US, where the band was known as Yaz, the song was their second big hit on the American dance chart, where it spent two weeks at number one in October 1982. Their first American dance chart hit was "Situation", which had also gone to number one on this chart earlier the same year. The music video for the song features band members Alison Moyet and Vince Clarke in a sort of haunted mansion with Clarke cast in the role of Victor Frankenstein. The song re-entered the UK Dance Chart on 13 December 2009 at number 30, peaking at number 15 on 2 January 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shame, Shame, Shame (Shirley & Company song)</span> 1974 single by Shirley & Company

"Shame, Shame, Shame" is a 1974 hit song written by Sylvia Robinson, performed by American disco band Shirley & Company and released on the Vibration label. The female vocalist is Shirley Goodman, who was one half of Shirley & Lee, who had enjoyed a major hit 18 years earlier, in 1956, with the song "Let The Good Times Roll" for Aladdin Records. The male vocalist is Jesus Alvarez. The saxophone solo is by Seldon Powell, whose instrumental version, "More Shame", is the B-side.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Wanna Go Home</span> 2011 single by Jason Derulo

"Don't Wanna Go Home" is a song by American recording artist Jason Derulo, released as the lead single from his second studio album, Future History, on May 23, 2011. The song was written by Derulo, Chaz Mishan, David Delazyn, William Attaway, Irving Burgie, Allen George and Fred McFarlane. It was produced by The Fliptones. The song is an up-tempo electropop and dance-pop song that samples Robin S.' 1993 single "Show Me Love" and incorporates an interpolation of Harry Belafonte's 1956 single, "Day-O ".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Wanna Know</span> 2016 single by Maroon 5 featuring Kendrick Lamar

"Don't Wanna Know" is a song by American pop rock band Maroon 5 featuring American rapper Kendrick Lamar. The song was released on October 11, 2016, as the lead single from the former's sixth studio album Red Pill Blues (2017), included on both the deluxe and Japanese editions of the album. The song reached the top 10 in 23 countries, including number 6 in the United States. Critical reception to the song was mixed, with critics praising its production but criticizing Lamar's verse and repetitive chorus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Don't Wanna Live Forever</span> 2016 single by Zayn and Taylor Swift

"I Don't Wanna Live Forever" is a song by the English singer Zayn and the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from the soundtrack to the 2017 film Fifty Shades Darker. It was written by Swift, Sam Dew, and Jack Antonoff, who also produced the song. The single was released on December 9, 2016, by Republic Records to international commercial success. "I Don't Wanna Live Forever" is a sultry electro-R&B and electropop ballad that sees Zayn and Swift exchange romantic overtures. Its accompanying music video was released on January 27, 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Wanna Be Your Slave</span> 2021 single by Måneskin

"I Wanna Be Your Slave" is a song by Italian rock band Måneskin, from their second studio album, Teatro d'ira: Vol. I released on 19 March 2021 by Sony. Prior to its release as a single, the song managed to reach top-ten positions on charts across Europe, including number one in Finland and Slovakia, and went viral on the Spotify charts. It is the band's first song to reach the top 5 of the UK Singles Chart, and second to reach top 10 of Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Eddy Grant - I Don't Wanna Dance (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. 1982. Retrieved 2014-03-29.
  2. ↑ "Billboard" magazine; November 20, 1982
  3. ↑ "Eddy Grant - Killer on the Rampage (album review )". Sputnikmusic. 2010-01-11. Retrieved 2015-10-17.
  4. ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 415. ISBN   1-904994-10-5.
  5. ↑ "How Eddy Grant gave hope to South Africa". The Telegraph. 27 June 2008. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
  6. ↑ "Eddy Grant zavoleo Jugoslaviju, kupuje stan u Dubrovniku" [Eddy Grant fell in love with Yugoslavia, is planning to buy a flat in Dubrovnik] (in Serbo-Croatian). RTV Revija. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
  7. ↑ "Eddy Grant". Official Charts . Retrieved 14 May 2016.
  8. 1 2 "Kent Music Report – National Top 100 Singles for 1983". Kent Music Report . Retrieved 22 January 2023– via Imgur.com.
  9. ↑ "Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – CHART POSITIONS PRE 1989, part 2". Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 29 September 2013. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
  10. ↑ "Eddy Grant – I Don't Wanna Dance" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
  11. ↑ "Eddy Grant – I Don't Wanna Dance" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
  12. ↑ "CHART NUMBER 1395 – Saturday, October 8, 1983". Archived from the original on 13 February 2006. Retrieved 2016-05-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link). CHUM.
  13. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 4365." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
  14. ↑ "Eddy Grant – I Don't Wanna Dance" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
  15. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – I Don't Wanna Dance". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
  16. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 50, 1982" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  17. ↑ "Eddy Grant – I Don't Wanna Dance" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
  18. ↑ "Eddy Grant – I Don't Wanna Dance". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
  19. ↑ "South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969 – 1989 Acts (G)". Rock.co.za. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
  20. ↑ "Eddy Grant – I Don't Wanna Dance". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
  21. ↑ "Eddy Grant – I Don't Wanna Dance". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
  22. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
  23. ↑ "Eddy Grant Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  24. ↑ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1982". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  25. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1982". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  26. ↑ "Jahreshitparade Singles 1983". austriancharts.at. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  27. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 1983". Ultratop. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  28. ↑ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
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.