Come Dancing (song)

"Come Dancing"
US 7-inch 45 cover
Single by the Kinks
from the album State of Confusion
B-side	"Noise"
Released	19 November 1982 (1982-11-19)
Recorded	October 1982
Studio	Konk, Hornsey, London
Genre	Pop rock new wave[1]
Length	3:54
Label	Arista
Songwriter(s)	Ray Davies
Producer(s)	Ray Davies
The Kinks UK singles chronology
"Predictable" (1981) "Come Dancing" (1982) "Don't Forget to Dance" (1983)
The Kinks US singles chronology
"Better Things" (1981) "Come Dancing" (1983) "Don't Forget to Dance" (1983)
Music video
"Come Dancing" on YouTube
Audio sample
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"Come Dancing" is a 1982 song written by Ray Davies and performed by British rock group the Kinks on their 1983 album State of Confusion. The song was inspired by Davies' memories of his older sister, Rene, who died of a heart attack while dancing at a dance hall. The lyrics, sung from the perspective of an "East End barrow boy", are about the boy's sister going on dates at a local Palais dance hall.^[2]

When first released as a single in United Kingdom in November 1982, "Come Dancing" failed to chart. Although Arista Records founder Clive Davis had reservations about releasing the single in the United States due to the English subject matter of dance halls, the track saw an American single release in April 1983. "Come Dancing" reached number six on the Hot 100, becoming the band's highest US charting single in over a decade and tying with "Tired of Waiting for You" as the band's highest-charting single ever. This success was achieved largely with the help of a promotional music video directed by Julien Temple that saw frequent airing on MTV. As a result of its American success, the single was re-released in Britain. Unlike its first release, the single became a top 20 British hit, reaching number 12.

In addition to its presence on State of Confusion, "Come Dancing" has appeared on numerous compilations albums since its release. It spawned a successful follow-up single, "Don't Forget to Dance", which became a top 40 hit in the United States. Come Dancing, a musical written by Ray Davies that premiered in 2008, was named after the song.