Dancing with Myself

"Dancing with Myself"
Single by Generation X
from the album Kiss Me Deadly
Released	1980
Format	7", 12"
Genre	Punk rock, dance-punk
Length	3:30 (7"), 4:06 (12")
Label	Chrysalis
Writer(s)	Billy Idol, Tony James
Producer(s)	Keith Forsey
Generation X singles chronology
"Friday's Angels" (1979) "Dancing with Myself" (1980)

"Dancing with Myself"
Single by Billy Idol
from the album Don't Stop and Vital Idol
Released	1981
Recorded	1980 (remixed in 1981)
Genre	Punk rock, dance-punk, new wave
Length	3:19 (single version) 4:50 (on Don't Stop) 5:57 (on Vital Idol)
Label	Chrysalis
Writer(s)	Billy Idol, Tony James
Producer(s)	Keith Forsey
Billy Idol singles chronology
"Dancing with Myself" (1981) "Mony Mony" (1981)

"Dancing with Myself" is a punk rock song written by singer Billy Idol and bassist Tony James, and first recorded by their band Generation X. The song was first released as a single and a 12" in 1980 and, a few weeks after the single release, was included on the band's last album—1981's Kiss Me Deadly. It would become one of the group's most well-known songs, but had limited success in its initial release.

In 1981, Idol remixed and re-released "Dancing with Myself" as a solo single, toning down its aggressive guitar sound and instead emphasizing its power pop or pop rock elements. Two versions were issued—the 3:20 single version (which was later included on Idol's 11 of the Best compilation), and the 4:50 extended version that appeared on Idol's Don't Stop EP.

Idol plays "Dancing with Myself" at most of his concerts, always introducing the song as having been originally written and recorded by Generation X. Since its release, the song has become something of a sports anthem.

Background

The music video was directed by Tobe Hooper (The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and Poltergeist). The set was borrowed from an L.A.-based production of Ann Jellicoe's punk rock-themed play The Sport Of My Mad Mad Mother, produced by and starring Dan Shor.^[1]

Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones recorded the song with Idol.^[2]

Formats and track listings

Generation X release

7": Chrysalis - CHS 2444 (UK)

1. "Dancing With Myself" (3:30)
2. "Ugly Rash" (4:30)

12": Chrysalis - CHS 12 2444 (UK)

1. "Dancing With Myself" (4:06)
2. "Loopy Dub" (5:08)
3. "Ugly Dub" (3:05)

Billy Idol release

7": Chrysalis - IDOL 1 (UK)

1. "Dancing With Myself" (3:19) [Labelled as "Billy Idol featuring Generation X"]
2. "Love Calling (Dub)" (5:33)

12": Chrysalis - IDOLX 1 (UK)

1. "Dancing With Myself" (6:05) [Labelled as "Billy Idol featuring Generation X"]
2. "Love Calling (Dub)" (5:33)
3. "White Wedding" (8:20)
4. "Hot In The City" (5:20)

• "White Wedding" is the 12" Shotgun mix, but not labelled as such.

Charts

Generation X version

Chart (1981)	Peak position
UK Singles Chart[3]	62

Billy Idol version

Chart (1981)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play[4]	27
U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles	2
Chart (1983)	Peak position
RIANZ New Zealand Singles Chart	9

Covers

• The Donnas released the as a single branded specially for the film Mean Girls.
• The song was covered by Blink-182 for the 1997 compilation album Before You Were Punk.
• The song was covered by Houston punk rock band 30 Foot Fall on their debut album, Divided We Stand. The song is usually performed live at the end of the setlist.
• The song was covered by French cover band Nouvelle Vague on their 2006 album Bande à Part.
• Gonzo performs a cover of this song in an episode of Muppets Tonight.
• Artie Abrams performed the song on an episode of Glee.
• The song was covered by Belgian rock band De Kreuners under the title Ik dans wel met mezelf.

In popular culture

• Billy Idol's version appeared in the films Can't Buy Me Love and Flushed Away as well as the tv show Bad Judge and video game Guitar Hero 5.
• The Nouelle Vogue version appeared as the theme song for LA Ink but it was only used for the first thirteen episodes of the show's first season.

References

1. "Actor Dan Shor talks with TV STORE ONLINE and his work on films like TRON, BILL and TED'S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE and WISE BLOOD". TV STORE ONLINE. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
2. Punk Diary: The Ultimate Trainspotter's Guide to Underground Rock, 1970-1982, page 408
3. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 224. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
4. "Billy Idol | Awards". AllMusic. 1955-11-30. Retrieved 2014-04-09.

External links

• Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics