Dance Tonight (Lucy Pearl song) explained

Dance Tonight
Cover:	Dance Tonight Lucy Pearl cover.jpg
Type:	single
Artist:	Lucy Pearl
Album:	Lucy Pearl
Length:	3:41
Next Title:	Don't Mess with My Man
Next Year:	2000

"Dance Tonight" is the debut single of American R&B group Lucy Pearl, written by Raphael Saadiq, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, and Dawn Robinson^[1] and the first single taken from their self-titled debut album. Serviced to radio on the week of March 27, 2000, the single peaked at number 36 on both the US Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart, and it reached the top 40 in Canada and the Netherlands. It was nominated to Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group at the 43rd Grammy Awards (2001) but lost to Destiny's Child's "Say My Name".^[2]

Critical reception

Billboard editor Chuck Taylor wrote of the song, calling "Dance Tonight" a "smooth uptempo track that truly makes you want to dance tonight." He praised the vocal performances of Raphael Saadiq and Dawn Robinson, noting that Saadiq's vocals were "easy to distinguish" and reminiscent of his career with Tony! Toni! Toné! while describing Robinson's backing vocals as "sweet and sensual."^[3]

Music video

The music video for the song shows Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Dawn Robinson, and Raphael Saadiq preparing to go a dance party being held at night. Interspersed with scenes from the movie, Love and Basketball, are scenes from the video, which include Dawn repeatedly being shown topless, putting makeup on in front of a mirror. A later scene shows her getting up in slow motion.^[4]

Track listings

UK CD single^[5]

1. "Dance Tonight" – 3:52
2. "Dance Tonight" (Linslee Campbell mix) – 4:05
3. "Dance Tonight" (Groove Chronicles mix) – 5:27
4. "Dance Tonight" (video) – 3:41

UK 12-inch single^[6]

A1. "Dance Tonight" – 3:52

A2. "Dance Tonight" (Groove Chronicles mix) – 5:27

B1. "Dance Tonight" (Linslee Campbell mix) – 4:05UK cassette single^[7]

1. "Dance Tonight" – 3:52
2. "Dance Tonight" (Linslee Campbell mix) – 4:05
3. "Dance Tonight" (Groove Chronicles mix) – 5:27

European CD single^[8]

1. "Dance Tonight" – 3:52
2. "Dance Tonight" (Linslee Campbell mix radio edit) – 3:23

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart (2000)	Position
UK Urban (Music Week)^[9]	19
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks (Billboard)^[10]	27
US Hot Soundtrack Singles (Billboard)^[11]	9

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)
United States	March 27, 2000	Radio		^[12]
Australia	April 17, 2000	CD	EMI Australia	^[13]
United Kingdom	July 17, 2000		Virgin

Notes and References

1. Web site: ASCAP-Repertory search – Dance Tonight. ASCAP.COM. October 5, 2020.
2. http://archives.cnn.com/2001/SHOWBIZ/Music/02/21/grammy.winners/index.html List of nominees and winners
3. Reviews & Previews – Singles. Taylor. Chuck. Chuck Taylor (music journalist). Billboard. 112. 19. 24. May 6, 2000. October 5, 2020.
4. Web site: From Lucy Pearl – Dance Tonight. celebritymoviearchive.com. October 5, 2020.
5. Dance Tonight. Lucy Pearl. 2000. UK CD single liner notes. Virgin Records. VSCDT1775, 7243 8 96913 0 6.
6. Dance Tonight. Lucy Pearl. 2000. UK 12-inch single sleeve. Virgin Records. VST1775.
7. Dance Tonight. Lucy Pearl. 2000. UK cassette single sleeve. Virgin Records. VSC1775, 7243 8 96913 4 4.
8. Dance Tonight. Lucy Pearl. 2000. European CD single liner notes. Virgin Records. VSCDE1775, 7243 8 96913 2 0.
9. Top 40 Urban Tracks of 2000. Music Week. 20. January 13, 2001. August 4, 2023.
10. The Year in Music 2000: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks. Billboard. Google Books. 112. 53. YE-56. December 30, 2000. 0006-2510. December 23, 2023.
11. The Year in Music 2000: Hot Soundtrack Singles. Billboard. Google Books. 112. 53. YE-98. December 30, 2000. 0006-2510. February 27, 2023.
12. Lucy Pearl Debuts on Pookie/Beyond. Mitchell. Gail. Billboard. 112. 14. 105. April 1, 2000. October 5, 2020.
13. Web site: Lucy Pearl. EMI Music Australia. https://web.archive.org/web/20010727025016/http://www.emimusic.com.au/artist_releases.asp?artistid=410. July 27, 2001. August 4, 2023.