"D.A.N.C.E." is the second single by French electronic music duo Justice and the first from their 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.".

"D.A.N.C.E."
Single by Justice
from the album
B-side
  • "B.E.A.T." (7", 12")
  • Extended mix (12")
  • "Phantom" (12")
  • Remixes
Released23 April 2007
Recorded2005–06 in Paris, France
GenreNu-disco
Length4:02 (album version)
  • 3:32 (radio edit)
  • 2:29 (English radio edit)
Label
Songwriter(s)
  • Gaspard Augé
  • Jessie Chaton[1]
  • Xavier de Rosnay
Producer(s)Justice
Justice singles chronology
"We Are Your Friends"
(2006)
"D.A.N.C.E."
(2007)
"DVNO"
(2007)
Audio sample
Justice – "D.A.N.C.E."

History and background

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According to the duo, they were huge Michael Jackson fans and decided to dedicate this song to him. The song recites numerous Michael Jackson songs including "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)", "Black or White", "Workin' Day and Night" and "Whatever Happens" along with the Jackson 5 song "ABC" and Michael Jackson's album Music and Me.[citation needed] The verses of "D.A.N.C.E." contain an interpolation of the coda of Britney Spears's song "Me Against the Music".[2] Vocals are provided by the London-based Foundation for Young Musicians choir.[3]

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

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. Canadian electronic duo MSTRKRFT released an official version, being the only group to receive instrumentals and vocals separately.[5] 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".[6] Wale and Mark Ronson performed the song at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards,[7] and Wale later appeared on the cover of URB magazine with Justice.[8]

Music video

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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", while winning 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). It includes a reference to the song "Video Killed the Radio Star" by the Buggles with the word "radio" replaced by "internet" at one point.

Format and track listing

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Chart performance

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Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[21] Silver 200,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ "Recording "D.A.N.C.E." by Justice – MusicBrainz". musicbrainz.org.
  2. ^ Hebblethwaite, Phil (26 September 2018). "Massive tunes you'll hear differently when you know who they sampled – BBC Music". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  3. ^ Barrie, Stuart (7 June 2007). "THE DJ QA & JUSTICE". Daily Record.
  4. ^ No byline (11 December 2007). "The 100 Best Songs of 2007" Rolling Stone. Retrieved 21 December 2007
  5. ^ "Culture Bully » Blog Archive » Do the "D.A.N.C.E.": Justice Remixes". Archived from the original on 24 December 2007. Retrieved 23 January 2008.
  6. ^ Kendrick, Monica, "From Black Metal to White Chalk" Archived 9 May 2009 at the Wayback Machine, Chicago Reader, 3 January 2008
  7. ^ "Watch Full Episodes – TV Shows". MTV.
  8. ^ no byline, "Justice and Wale behind the scenes :: URB Cover Shoot" Archived 20 November 2008 at the Wayback Machine, URB Magazine, 11 October 2007
  9. ^ "Justice – D.A.N.C.E." (in Dutch). Ultratip.
  10. ^ "Justice – D.A.N.C.E." (in French). Ultratip.
  11. ^ "Justice: D.A.N.C.E." (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat.
  12. ^ "Justice – D.A.N.C.E." (in French). Les classement single.
  13. ^ "Justice – D.A.N.C.E.". Top Digital Download.
  14. ^ "Justice – D.A.N.C.E.". Swiss Singles Chart.
  15. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  16. ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
  17. ^ "Justice Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard.
  18. ^ "Justice Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard.
  19. ^ "Justice Chart History (Hot Dance/Electronic Songs)". Billboard.
  20. ^ "Hot Dance/Electronic Songs – Year-End 2013". Billboard. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
  21. ^ "British single certifications – Justice – D.A.N.C.E." British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
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