The Politics of Dancing (song) explained

The Politics of Dancing
Cover:Politics of dancing re-flex single.jpg
Border:yes
Caption:UK 7-inch vinyl
Type:single
Artist:Re-Flex
Album:The Politics of Dancing
B-Side:
  • "Cruel World"
  • "Flex It!"
Released:February 1983
Studio:Utopia (London, England)
Length:
  • 6:36 (album version)
  • 4:14 (UK and European single version)
  • 3:55 (US single version)
Label:
Producer:John Punter
Next Title:Hitline
Next Year:1983

"The Politics of Dancing" is the debut single by the English new wave band Re-Flex, released in 1983. It is the title track to their debut studio album. The song was written by keyboardist, backing vocalist, and band co-founder Paul Fishman.

Background

Keyboardist Paul Fishman would record song ideas on a pocket tape recorder while walking or traveling near his home in Hampstead, London, and then sequence them on his Oberheim DSX back at his flat. He would work on the songs and present three or four at a time to his bandmates to jam out to at their next session. He said this song was probably inspired by a train or something he had read, and he took an almost complete demo of it with nearly finished lyrics to the session.[1]

On the lyrics, Fishman said, "The sentiment of the song is really about the power of when people come together and express themselves through dancing and letting go. During the '80s, it was in its very early days but in the latter part of the decade the rave scene was pretty much the message in a nut shell. No, I don't think people generally understand messages but some get it so that's alright."[1]

Track listings

UK, European, and Australian 7-inch single[2] [3] [4]

A. "The Politics of Dancing"

B. "Cruel World"

US, Canadian, and Japanese 7-inch single[5] [6]

A. "The Politics of Dancing" – 3:55

B. "Flex It!" – 3:57

UK, European, and Australian 12-inch single[7] [8] [9]

A. "The Politics of Dancing" (extended version) – 6:36

B. "Cruel World" (extended version) – 5:30US 12-inch single[10]

A. "The Politics of Dancing" – 6:47

B. "Flex It!" – 5:25

Canadian 12-inch single[11]

A. "The Politics of Dancing" (long version) – 6:47

B. "The Politics of Dancing" (short version) – 3:59

Charts

Chart (1983–1984)Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[12] 12
Europe (European Top 100 Singles)[13] 19
South Africa (Springbok Radio)[14] 19
US Billboard Hot 100[15] 24
US Dance/Disco Top 80 (Billboard)[16] 8
US Rock Top Tracks (Billboard)[17] 19
US Cash Box Top 100[18] 23

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Interview with Paul Fishman from Re-Flex . Kickin' it Old School. 8 September 2012 . 21 September 2021.
  2. The Politics of Dancing. Re-Flex. 1983. UK 7-inch single sleeve. EMI Records. FLEX 2.
  3. The Politics of Dancing. Re-Flex. 1983. European 7-inch single sleeve. EMI Records. 1A 006-2000117.
  4. The Politics of Dancing. Re-Flex. 1984. Australian 7-inch single sleeve. EMI Records, Capitol Records. EMI-1182.
  5. The Politics of Dancing. Re-Flex. 1983. US & Canadian 7-inch single vinyl disc. Capitol Records. B-5301.
  6. The Politics of Dancing. Re-Flex. 1983. Japanese 7-inch single vinyl disc. EMI Records. EMS-17427.
  7. The Politics of Dancing. Re-Flex. 1984. UK 12-inch single sleeve. EMI Records. 12FLEX 2.
  8. The Politics of Dancing. Re-Flex. 1984. European 12-inch single vinyl disc. EMI Records. 1C K 052-20 0011 6.
  9. The Politics of Dancing. Re-Flex. 1984. Australian 12-inch single sleeve. EMI Records. ED 72.
  10. The Politics of Dancing. Re-Flex. 1983. US 12-inch single vinyl disc. Capitol Records. 8574.
  11. The Politics of Dancing. Re-Flex. 1983. Canadian 12-inch single vinyl disc. Capitol Records. 75049.
  12. Book: Kent, David. David Kent (historian). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. illustrated. Australian Chart Book. St Ives, N.S.W.. 1993. 0-646-11917-6. 249.
  13. European Top 100 Singles. Eurotipsheet. 1. 1. 11. 19 March 1984.
  14. Web site: South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969 – 1989 Acts (G) . Rock.co.za . 4 October 2014.
  15. Re-Flex. Billboard. https://web.archive.org/web/20190419131442/https://www.billboard.com/music/re-flex. 19 April 2019. dead. 22 November 2020.
  16. Dance Club Songs. Billboard. 28 January 1984. subscription. 26 August 2023.
  17. Mainstream Rock Airplay. Billboard. 21 January 1984. subscription. 26 August 2023.
  18. Web site: CASH BOX Top 100 Singles – Week ending March 17, 1984 . . 23 December 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120930235041/http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/19840317.html . 30 September 2012.