For the Thin Lizzy song, see Dancing in the Moonlight (It's Caught Me in Its Spotlight). For other uses, see Dancing in the Moonlight (disambiguation).

"Dancing in the Moonlight"
Promotional 7-inch single
Single by Boffalongo
from the album Beyond Your Head
B-side"Endless Questions"
Released1970
Recorded1970
StudioJ.T. Sound Studios
GenrePop rock
Length3:10
LabelUnited Artists
Songwriter(s)Sherman Kelly
Producer(s)Eric & Steve Nathanson
Boffalongo singles chronology
"Please Stay"
(1969)		 "Dancing in the Moonlight"
(1970)

"Dancing in the Moonlight" is a song written by Sherman Kelly, originally recorded in 1970 by Kelly's band Boffalongo, and then a hit single by King Harvest in 1972, reaching number 5 in Canada and number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2000, a cover by English band Toploader became a worldwide hit and achieved multi-platinum status in the United Kingdom. A version by Swedish EDM duo Jubël, released in 2018, was a hit in Europe.

History

Sherman Kelly wrote the song in 1969.[1] While recovering from a vicious assault by a gang, he "envisioned an alternate reality, the dream of a peaceful and joyful celebration of life."[2] Kelly wrote:

On a trip to St. Croix in 1969, I was the first victim of a vicious St. Croix gang who eventually murdered 8 American tourists. At that time, I suffered multiple facial fractures and wounds and was left for dead. While I was recovering, I wrote "Dancin in the Moonlight" in which I envisioned an alternate reality, the dream of a peaceful and joyful celebration of life. The song became a huge hit and was recorded by many musicians worldwide. "Dancin In The Moonlight" continues to be popular to this day.[3]

He recorded it singing lead with his band Boffalongo, who were active from 1968 to 1971; they included it on their album Beyond Your Head and it was their final single. The song was also recorded by High Broom and released in 1970 on Island Records. It failed to reach the UK Singles Chart.

King Harvest version

"Dancing in the Moonlight"
Single by King Harvest
from the album Dancing in the Moonlight
B-side"Lady, Come On Home"
Released1972
Recorded1972
GenrePop rock
Length2:57
LabelPerception (P-515)
A&M (1974 re-issue)
Songwriter(s)Sherman Kelly
Producer(s)Jack Robinson
King Harvest singles chronology
"You and I"
(1971)		 "Dancing in the Moonlight"
(1972)		 "A Little Bit Like Magic"
(1972)

Sherman Kelly's brother Wells Kelly introduced the song to the Paris-based band King Harvest in which he was drummer, and former Boffalongo member Dave "Doc" Robinson was lead vocalist, bassist, and keyboardist. King Harvest recorded and released "Dancing in the Moonlight," featuring a prominent keyboard countermelody, as a single with "Lady, Come On Home" on the B-side in 1972. Steve Cutler, a jazz drummer from New York City (standing on the base of the pole in the cover picture), played drums on the tracks and toured France and the UK with the band. The group disbanded after six months and the single languished for a year until it was bought and released worldwide by Perception Records. In Canada, the song reached number 5 on the weekly charts and number 71 on the year-end chart for 1973. It peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States the weeks of February 24 and March 3, 1973.[4][5]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1972–1973) Peak
position
Canada RPM Top Singles[6] 5
Canada RPM Top AC[7] 69
US Billboard Hot 100[8] 13
US Billboard Easy Listening chart [9] 22
US Cash Box Top 100[10] 10

Year-end charts

Chart (1973) Rank
Canada[11] 71
US Billboard Hot 100[12] 36

Toploader version

"Dancing in the Moonlight"
Single by Toploader
from the album Onka's Big Moka
B-side
  • "Lucy"
  • "Jack"
  • "Man with a Plan"
  • "Times Like These"
ReleasedFebruary 21, 2000 (2000-02-21)
Length
  • 3:52
  • 3:30 (Stargate radio mix)
LabelSony Soho Square
Songwriter(s)Sherman Kelly
Producer(s)George Drakoulias
Toploader singles chronology
"Let the People Know"
(1999)		 "Dancing in the Moonlight"
(2000)		 "Achilles Heel"
(2000)
Music video
"Dancing in the Moonlight" on YouTube

In 2000, English band Toploader released a cover of "Dancing in the Moonlight". It was originally released on February 21, 2000, as the third single from their debut studio album, Onka's Big Moka (1999), and peaked at number 19 on the UK Singles Chart. It was then re-released in November of the same year with new production from Stargate and reached number seven on the same chart. The song has been certified 4× Platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for sales and streams of over 2,400,000 units. Worldwide, the song reached the top 20 in Australia, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, and Spain. At the Danish Music Awards of 2001, the song was nominated for Foreign Hit of the Year.[13]

Track listings

UK CD single (Feb. 2000)[14]

  1. "Dancing in the Moonlight" – 3:52
  2. "Lucy" – 2:55
  3. "Jack" – 3:34

UK 7-inch single (Feb. 2000)[15]

A1. "Dancing in the Moonlight" – 3:52
B1. "Man with a Plan" – 3:41
B2. "Times Like These" – 4:52

UK cassette single (Feb. 2000); European CD single (2000)[16][17]

  1. "Dancing in the Moonlight" – 3:52
  2. "Lucy" – 2:55

UK CD single (Nov. 2000); Australian CD single[18][19]

  1. "Dancing in the Moonlight" – 3:52
  2. "Dancing in the Moonlight" (Stargate radio mix) – 3:30
  3. "Dancing in the Moonlight" (Alliance DC vocal remix) – 6:30
  4. "Dancing in the Moonlight" (live) – 4:31

UK cassette single (Nov. 2000); European CD single (2001)[20][21]

  1. "Dancing in the Moonlight" – 3:52
  2. "Dancing in the Moonlight" (Stargate radio mix) – 3:30

Charts

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[44] Gold 35,000^
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[45] 2× Platinum 180,000‡
Germany (BVMI)[46] Platinum 500,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[47] Gold 25,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[48] 4× Platinum 2,400,000‡

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref(s).
United Kingdom February 21, 2000
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 Sony Soho Square [49][50]
United Kingdom (re-release) November 13, 2000
  • CD
  • cassette
 [51]
Australia April 16, 2001 CD Sony Music [52]

Jubël version

"Dancing in the Moonlight"
Cover of "Dancing in the Moonlight" by Jubël featuring Neimy (2018)
Single by Jubël featuring Neimy
from the album Strawtown
ReleasedJune 22, 2018
Recorded2018
Length2:44
LabelGood Soldier
Songwriter(s)Sherman Kelly
Jubël singles chronology
"Illusion"
(2017)		 "Dancing in the Moonlight"
(2018)		 "On the Beach"
(2019)
Neimy singles chronology
"Dancing in the Moonlight"
(2018)		 "Unforgettable"
(2018)
Music video
"Dancing in the Moonlight" on YouTube

Swedish record producer duo Jubël released a dance cover in 2018 featuring Neimy.[53] It peaked at number 9 on Sverigetopplistan, the official Swedish Singles Chart. It also charted in Belgium's Ultratip Bubbling Under chart in both Flanders and Wallon francophone markets.

The song garnered the attention of British radio DJs in 2020 and as a result the Jubël version gained more popularity two years after its initial release in Sweden. The song was rereleased for the British market giving it a much bigger international audience. It peaked at number 11 on the UK Singles Chart,[54] and the Irish and Scottish singles charts as well.[55] The song was used in series 6 of the reality show Love Island in 2020 and spread to TikTok,[56] while reaching the top of the British radio list. The song also charted on the ARIA Australian Official Singles Chart, also in 2020.

Releases

  • 2018: "Dancing in the Moonlight" (2:44)
  • 2019: "Dancing in the Moonlight" (PBH & Jack Sunset Remix Radio Edit) (2:16)
  • 2019: "Dancing in the Moonlight" (Jack Wins Remix) (2:40)
  • 2020: "Dancing in the Moonlight" (Nathan Dawe Remix) (2:51)

Charts

Chart (2018–2021) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[57] 23
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[58] 46
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[59] 19
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[60] 97
Czech Republic (Rádio – Top 100)[61] 10
France (SNEP)[62] 128
Iceland (Plötutíðindi)[63] 17
Ireland (IRMA)[64] 36
Portugal (AFP)[65] 128
Scotland (OCC)[66] 3
Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[67] 8
Slovenia (SloTop50)[68] 13
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[69] 9
UK Singles (OCC)[70] 11

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Austria (IFPI Austria)[71] Gold 15,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[72] 2× Platinum 160,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[73] Platinum 90,000‡
France (SNEP)[74] Gold 100,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[75] Gold 35,000‡
Norway (IFPI Norway)[76] Gold 30,000‡
Poland (ZPAV)[77] Gold 25,000‡
Portugal (AFP)[78] Platinum 10,000‡
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[79] Platinum 60,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[80] Platinum 600,000‡
Streaming
Sweden (GLF)[81] Platinum 8,000,000†

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
† Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

Other versions

  • In 1994, a version by Bahamian group the Baha Men reached No. 18 in New Zealand[82] and No. 42 in Canada.[83]
  • In 2009 American actress and singer Alyson Stoner covered the song. Scenes from the film Space Buddies appear in the music video for this version; the music video is a special feature on the DVD release of the film.
  • In 2021, a cover of the song was featured during the end credits of Muppets Haunted Mansion, performed by the Muppet band Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem.[84]
  • In 2022, American country singers Chris Lane and Lauren Alaina released a rewritten version as a duet, incorporating country music elements in both the lyrics and instrumentation to change the genre of the song. This version differs enough from the original that it has been called more an homage than a cover.[85] [86]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Dancing in the Moonlight – King Harvest : Listen, Appearances, Song Review". AllMusic. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Sherman Kelly". Sherman Kelly. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  3. ↑ "About". shermankelly.
  4. ↑ Billboard Hot 100, Week of February 24, 1973 – Billboard.com. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  5. ↑ Billboard Hot 100, Week of March 3, 1973 – Billboard.com. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  6. ↑ "RPM Top 100 Singles - March 24, 1973" (PDF).
  7. ↑ "RPM Top 100 AC - March 3, 1973" (PDF).
  8. ↑ Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-1990 - ISBN 0-89820-089-X
  9. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2002). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961-2001. Record Research. p. 137.
  10. ↑ http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/70s_files/19730217.html Archived January 3, 2017, at the Wayback Machine CASH BOX Top 100 Singles, February 17, 1973
  11. ↑ Canada, Library and Archives (July 17, 2013). "Image : RPM Weekly". Library and Archives Canada.
  12. ↑ "Top 100 Hits of 1973/Top 100 Songs of 1973 | Music Outfitters". www.musicoutfitters.com.
  13. 1 2 "Så er vinderne fundet!" [So the winners have been found!] (in Danish). Sony Music Denmark. Archived from the original on March 31, 2001. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  14. ↑ Dancing in the Moonlight (UK CD single liner notes). Toploader. Sony Soho Square. 2000. 668941 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. ↑ Dancing in the Moonlight (UK 7-inch single liner notes). Toploader. Sony Soho Square. 2000. 668941 7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  16. ↑ Dancing in the Moonlight (UK cassette single sleeve). Toploader. Sony Soho Square. 2000. 668941 4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  17. ↑ Dancing in the Moonlight (European CD single liner notes). Toploader. Sony Soho Square. 2000. 669090 1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  18. ↑ Dancing in the Moonlight (UK CD single liner notes). Toploader. Sony Soho Square. 2000. 669985 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  19. ↑ Dancing in the Moonlight (Australian CD single liner notes). Toploader. Sony Music. 2001. 670996.2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  20. ↑ Dancing in the Moonlight (UK cassette single sleeve). Toploader. Sony Soho Square. 2000. 669985 4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  21. ↑ Dancing in the Moonlight (European CD single liner notes). Toploader. Sony Soho Square. 2001. S2 671234 1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  22. ↑ "Toploader – Dancing in the Moonlight". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  23. ↑ "Toploader – Dancing in the Moonlight" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
  24. ↑ "Toploader – Dancing in the Moonlight" (in French). Ultratip.
  25. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 18, no. 10. March 3, 2001. p. 11. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  26. ↑ "Toploader – Dancing in the Moonlight" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  27. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  28. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Dancing in the Moonlight". Irish Singles Chart.
  29. ↑ "Toploader – Dancing in the Moonlight". Top Digital Download.
  30. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 30, 2000" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  31. ↑ "Toploader – Dancing in the Moonlight" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  32. ↑ "Toploader – Dancing in the Moonlight". Top 40 Singles.
  33. ↑ "Toploader – Dancing in the Moonlight". VG-lista.
  34. ↑ "Major Market Airplay – Week 25/2000" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 17, no. 25. June 17, 2000. p. 23. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  35. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  36. ↑ "Toploader – Dancing in the Moonlight" Canciones Top 50.
  37. ↑ "Toploader – Dancing in the Moonlight". Singles Top 100.
  38. ↑ "Toploader – Dancing in the Moonlight". Swiss Singles Chart.
  39. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  40. ↑ "Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 2000" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  41. ↑ "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2001". ARIA. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  42. ↑ "Ireland – Top Singles for 2001". Allcharts. Archived from the original on May 5, 2012. Retrieved December 16, 2018.
  43. ↑ "Best Sellers of 2001: Singles Top 100". Music Week. January 19, 2002. p. 11.
  44. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2001 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
  45. ↑ "Danish single certifications – Toploader – Dancing in the Moonlight". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  46. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Toploader; 'Dancing in the Moonlight')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  47. ↑ "Italian single certifications – Toploader – Dancing in the Moonlight" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  48. ↑ "British single certifications – Toploader – Dancing in the Moonlight". British Phonographic Industry.
  49. ↑ Sexton, Paul (February 26, 2000). Williamson, Nigel (ed.). "Global Music Pulse" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 112, no. 9. p. 53. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  50. ↑ "New Releases – For Week Starting 21 February, 2000: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. February 19, 2000. p. 27. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  51. ↑ "New Releases – For Week Starting November 13, 2000: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. November 11, 2000. p. 29. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
  52. ↑ "The ARIA Report: ARIA New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 16th April 2001" (PDF). ARIA. April 16, 2001. p. 23. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 20, 2002. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  53. ↑ "The Story of... 'Dancing in the Moonlight' by Toploader". Smooth. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
  54. ↑ "Svenska Jubël slår i England – med gammal hit". Sydsvenskan.se. August 2, 2020. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  55. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100 | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
  56. ↑ Nina Holma (August 2, 2020). "Svenska Jubël slår i England – med gammal hit". vk.se. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  57. ↑ "Jubël feat. Neimy – Dancing in the Moonlight". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  58. ↑ "Jubël feat. Neimy – Dancing in the Moonlight" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  59. ↑ "Jubël feat. Neimy – Dancing in the Moonlight" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  60. ↑ "Jubel Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  61. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 202044 into search. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  62. ↑ "Top Singles (Week 41, 2020)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  63. ↑ "Tónlistinn – Lög" [The Music – Songs] (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived from the original on December 24, 2020. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
  64. ↑ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  65. ↑ "Jubël feat. Neimy – Dancing in the Moonlight". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  66. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  67. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 202052,53 into search. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  68. ↑ "SloTop50 – Slovenian official singles chart". slotop50.si. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  69. ↑ "Jubël feat. Neimy – Dancing in the Moonlight". Singles Top 100. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  70. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  71. ↑ "Austrian single certifications – Jubel – Dancing in the Moonlight" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  72. ↑ "Canadian single certifications – Jubel – Dancing in the Moonlight". Music Canada. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  73. ↑ "Danish single certifications – Jubël feat. Neimy – Dancing in the Moonlight". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  74. ↑ "French single certifications – Jubel – Dancing in the Moonlight" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved October 21, 2022.
  75. ↑ "Italian single certifications – Jubël feat. Neimy – Dancing in the Moonlight" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
  76. ↑ "Norwegian single certifications – Jubël feat. Neimy – Dancing in the Moonlight" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  77. ↑ "OLiS - oficjalna lista wyróżnień" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved May 24, 2023. Click "TYTUŁ" and enter Dancing in the Moonlight in the search box.
  78. ↑ "Portuguese single certifications – Jubël feat. Neimy – Dancing in the Moonlight" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
  79. ↑ "Spanish single certifications – Jubel / Neimy – Dancing in the Moonlight". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  80. ↑ "British single certifications – Jubel ft Neimy – Dancing in the Moonlight". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  81. ↑ "Sverigetopplistan – Jubel" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  82. ↑ "charts.nz - New Zealand charts portal". Hung Medien.
  83. ↑ "RPM Top 100 Singles - August 8, 1994" (PDF).
  84. ↑ Delandro, T. "Disney+ to release first-ever Muppets Halloween special featuring Gonzo Friday." News Nation Now. 5 Oct 2021.
  85. ↑ Vaughn, Grace Lenehan VaughnGrace Lenehan (June 10, 2022). "Hear Chris Lane and Lauren Alaina's Countrified 'Dancin' in the Moonlight'". Taste of Country. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  86. ↑ Chris Lane - Dancin' In The Moonlight (feat. Lauren Alaina) (Official Music Video), retrieved June 8, 2023
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