Dance, Dance, Dance (The Beach Boys song)
"Dance, Dance, Dance" is a song by the American rock band the Beach Boys from their 1965 album Beach Boys Today!. Written by Brian Wilson, Carl Wilson, and Mike Love, it was first issued as a single in October 1964, backed with "The Warmth of the Sun". "Dance, Dance, Dance" marked Carl's first recognized writing contribution to a Beach Boys single, his contribution being the song's primary guitar riff and solo.
"Dance, Dance, Dance" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ||||
Single by the Beach Boys | ||||
from the album The Beach Boys Today! | ||||
B-side | "The Warmth of the Sun" | |||
Released | October 26, 1964 | |||
Recorded | October 9, 1964 | |||
Studio | RCA Victor Studio, Los Angeles | |||
Genre | Rock and roll[1] | |||
Length | 1:59 | |||
Label | Capitol | |||
Composer(s) | ||||
Lyricist(s) |
| |||
Producer(s) | Brian Wilson | |||
The Beach Boys singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Audio sample | ||||
|
Composition
"Dance, Dance, Dance" was composed by Brian and Carl Wilson, while the lyrics were written by Brian and Mike Love.[2] Although many pop songs raise their key at the start of a final chorus, "Dance, Dance, Dance" subverts this convention by modulating in the middle of the verse.[3]
Billboard described the song as having a "tremendous rock -surfin' beat and groovy lyrics," saying that the Beach Boys "have never sounded better."[4] Cash Box described it as a "sensational hot-rod-surfin' [rocker],... that zips along with money-makin' glee."[5]
Variations
The song was originally released in mono, while a remixed stereo version was released on the compilation Hawthorne, CA. An early version of the song, with different lyrics and arrangement, appears as a bonus track on The Beach Boys Today!/Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!) two-fer CD.
Personnel
Credits from Craig Slowinski.[2]
The Beach Boys
- Al Jardine – backing and harmony vocals; rhythm guitar
- Mike Love – lead, backing and harmony vocals
- Brian Wilson – lead, backing and harmony vocals; bass guitar
- Carl Wilson – backing and harmony vocals; lead guitar (twelve-string)
- Dennis Wilson – backing and harmony vocals; drums
Additional musicians
- Hal Blaine – sleigh bells, triangle, tambourine, castanets
- Glen Campbell – acoustic rhythm/lead guitar
- Steve Douglas – tenor saxophone
- Carl Fortina – accordion
- Jay Migliori – baritone saxophone
- Ray Pohlman – 6-string bass guitar
Charts
Chart (1964) | Peak position |
---|---|
Canadian RPM Singles Chart[6] | 7 |
UK Singles Chart[7] | 24 |
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[8] | 8 |
Cover versions
- Wilson Phillips – featuring Brian Wilson's daughters Carnie and Wendy – recorded the song for their album California.
- Big Time Rush sang a cover of this song on the special "Big Time Beach Party".
- The song was recorded and released by Jan & Dean on their 1982 album, One Summer Night/Live.
- Joanie Bartels covered this song on her 1991 album, Dancin' Magic.
References
- "Dance, Dance, Dance - the Beach Boys | Song Info | AllMusic". AllMusic.
- Slowinski, Craig (2007). "The Beach Boys- The Beach Boys Today!" (PDF). Retrieved April 4, 2019.
- Interrante, Scott (May 12, 2014). "When I Grow Up: The Beach Boys - "Dance, Dance, Dance"". PopMatters.
- "Singles Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. October 31, 1964. p. 16. Retrieved 2021-04-02.
- "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. October 31, 1964. p. 8. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
- "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 2016-09-13. Retrieved 2016-09-27.
- "Beach Boys". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 June 2013.
- "The Beach Boys awards on Allmusic". Allmusic. Retrieved 13 June 2013.