D.A.N.C.E.  

From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia

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"D.A.N.C.E." is the second single by Justice, and the first from their album †. It includes an edit and extended versions of "D.A.N.C.E", a rougher mix in the style of their earlier releases, "B.E.A.T", and the track "Phantom" which was previously issued in limited quantities twice on 12" vinyl preceding the release of "D.A.N.C.E.".

Thematically the song borrows from "Happy Song," the children's choir echoes the Joubert Singers and it has been speculated that the violins sample is probably taken from the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, the song being "Night On Disco Mountain", a recreation of Night On Bald Mountain by Russian composer Mussorgsky.

Music and lyrics

According to the band, they are huge Michael Jackson fans and therefore decided to dedicate this song to him. The song recites numerous Michael Jackson songs including "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)", "Black or White", "Working Day and Night", and "Whatever Happens" along with the Jackson Five song "ABC" and Michael Jackson's album Music and Me. Vocals are provided by the London based Foundation for Young Musicians children's choir. Jay-Z sampled the song for "On to the Next One", from his album The Blueprint 3.

The song was #4 on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Best Songs of 2007.

Music video

The music video for "D.A.N.C.E." was shot by French directorial duo Jonas & François with animation by So Me. The video was nominated for the 2007 MTV Video Music Award "Video of the Year". The music video is shot in the style of pop art. In the video, Augé and de Rosnay walk and the images of their T-shirts constantly change and morph (cars, mouths, thunderbolts, lollipops, numbers, letters and the lyrics). The video includes a reference to the song "Video Killed the Radio Star" by The Buggles.

Unofficial remixes

There was much hype prior to the single's release and in the weeks leading up to its official release, many unofficial remixes of the song began to appear on the internet. MSTRKRFT released an official version, being the only group to receive instrumentals and vocals separately. One remix was made by Washington, D.C. rapper Wale entitled "W.A.L.E.D.A.N.C.E.", the Chicago Reader picked it as a staff favorite from 2007 and called the remix "positively epic." Wale and Ronson performed the song at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards and Wale later appeared on the cover of URB with Justice.. The song was also covered by Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly and UK band Trash Fashion. A remix with Mos Def and Spank Rock was recorded and put to download as "Promo Only".

Format and track listing

• 12" ED 016

1. "D.A.N.C.E." (radio edit)
2. "B.E.A.T." (extended)
3. "D.A.N.C.E." (extended)
4. "Phantom"

• Remixes 12" ED 019

1. "D.A.N.C.E." (Jackson remix)

• Mixed by Jackson and his Computer Band</small>

1. "D.A.N.C.E." (MSTRKRFT remix)
2. "D.A.N.C.E." (live version)
3. "D.A.N.C.E." (Alan Braxe & Fred Falke remix)