"D.A.N.C.E." is the second single by French electronic music duo Justice and the first from their 2007 album †. It includes edited 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.".
History and background According to the duo, they were huge Michael Jackson fans and decided to dedicate the song to him. The song references various Michael Jackson songs including "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)", "Black or White", "Working Day and Night" and "Whatever Happens" along with the Jackson 5 song "ABC" and Michael Jackson's album Music & Me. The choruses of "D.A.N.C.E." contain an interpolation of the coda of Britney Spears's song "Me Against the Music". Vocals are provided by the London-based Foundation for Young Musicians choir.
The music video for "D.A.N.C.E." was shot by French directorial duo Jonas & François, with animation by French animator So Me. The video was nominated for the 2007 MTV Video Music Award "Video of the Year" and won the award at the MTV Europe Music Awards. 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).
Many unofficial remixes of the song appeared on the Internet before its official release. Canadian electronic duo 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 favourite from 2007 and called the remix "positively epic".Kendrick, Monica, "From Black Metal to White Chalk" , Chicago Reader, 3 January 2008 Wale and Mark Ronson performed the song at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards, and Wale later appeared on the cover of URB magazine with Justice.no byline, "Justice and Wale behind the scenes :: URB Cover Shoot" , URB Magazine, 11 October 2007
The song was number 4 on Rolling Stones list of the 100 Best Songs of 2007.No byline (11 December 2007). "The 100 Best Songs of 2007" Rolling Stone. Retrieved 21 December 2007 The live version of the song was sampled by Swizz Beatz for Jay-Z's "On to the Next One" on The Blueprint 3 in 2009.
Format and track listing
7" single "D.A.N.C.E." "B.E.A.T."
12" ED 016 "D.A.N.C.E." (radio edit) "B.E.A.T." (extended) "D.A.N.C.E." (extended) "Phantom"
Remixes 12" ED 019 "D.A.N.C.E." (radio edit) "D.A.N.C.E." (Stuart Price remix) "D.A.N.C.E." (Jackson remix) "D.A.N.C.E." (MSTRKRFT remix) "D.A.N.C.E." (live version) "D.A.N.C.E." (Alan Braxe and Fred Falke remix)
Chart performance
Weekly charts Chart (2007–2013) Peakposition
Year-end charts Chart (2013) Position US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard) 97
Certifications
Release history +Release dates and formats for "D.A.N.C.E." Region Date Format Label(s) United States January 29, 2008 Mainstream airplay Ed Banger
Notes
References
External links "Justice – D.A.N.C.E. (Official Video)" at YouTube