Billy Idol

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
On the floors of Tokyo-o
Or down in London town to go, go
A-with the record selection and the mirror's reflection
I'm a-dancing with myself
Oh, when there's no one else in sight
A-in the crowded lonely night
Well, I wait so long for my love vibration
And I'm dancing with myself

[Chorus]
Oh, oh, dancing with myself
Oh, oh, dancing with myself
When there's nothing to lose, and there's nothing to prove
And I'm dancing with myself, oh, oh, uh-oh

[Verse 2]
If I looked all over the world
And there's every type of girl
But your empty eyes
Seem to pass me by
Leave me dancing with myself
So let's sink another drink
'Cause it'll give me time to think
If I had the chance, I'd ask the world to dance
And I'll be dancing with myself
[Chorus]
Oh, oh, dancing with myself
Oh, oh, dancing with myself
When there's nothing to lose, and there's nothing to prove
And I'm dancing with myself, oh, oh, uh-oh

[Bridge]
Oh, oh, uh-oh, oh
Oh, oh, uh-oh
Oh, uh-uh, oh, ow!

[Guitar solo]

[Verse 3]
Well, if I looked all over the world
And there's every type of girl
But your empty eyes
Seem to pass me by
Leave me dancing with myself
So let's sink another drink
'Cause it'll give me time to think
If I had the chance, I'd ask the world to dance
And I'll be dancing with myself

[Chorus 2]
Oh, oh, dancing with myself
Oh, oh, dancing with myself
If I had the chance, I'd ask the world to dance
If I had the chance, I'd ask the world to dance
If I had the chance, I'd ask the world to dance
Oohhhhhaaaawwww!!
Oh, oh, uh-oh
Oh, oh, uh-oh
Oh, oh, uh-oh
Oh, oh, uh-oh

[Outro]
(Dancing with myself, oh, oh) Oh, it's all wet
(Dancing with myself, oh, oh) And I'll sweat
(Dancing with myself, oh, oh) And I'll sweat, sweat, sweat, sweat
(Dancing with myself, oh, oh) Sweat, sweat, sweat, sweat
(Dancing with myself, oh, oh) Sweat, sweat, sweat, sweat
(Dancing with myself, oh, oh) Sweat, sweat, sweat, sweat, sweat
Oh!
Dancing with myself, oh!
Ow!
[Repeat and fade]

In the early 80s, one song helped launch Billy Idol's career into stardom: "Dancing with Myself." Originally recorded and released by Gen X, Idol's punk rock group, in 1979, it didn't gain commercial success in the UK. When Idol began his solo career, he remixed and re-released the song in the US on his first EP, Don't Stop, in 1981. The song didn't reach the Hot 100, but it still has a significant impact on the music industry.

About Dancing With Myself

The inspiration for "Dancing with Myself" came from Billy Idol's trip to a Japanese discotheque in 1978. While there, he noticed the crowd "dancing to their own reflections in the mirror and not really with each other." This gave him the idea for the iconic verse of the song, "If I looked all over the world and there's every type of girl, but your empty eyes seem to pass me by."

Shortly after, Gen X recorded "Dancing with Myself," but it wasn't until Billy Idol went solo that the song started to gain popularity. Upon releasing the song, Idol became a chart-topping musician in America. With his glam rock inspired sound, punk image, and an excellent blend of new wave, "Dancing with Myself" broke through the music industry and became one of his best-known songs, even though it did not reach #1 on the Hot 100 chart.

"Dancing with Myself" saw a second life in 1983 when it was re-released after "Hot In The City" and "White Wedding" became commercial hits. This time around, the song peaked at #2 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Chart. Even though it didn't quite make the Hot 100, it still shared the depth of Billy Idol's creative soul with fans all over the globe.

The song also has an iconic music video that proves Billy Idol was one of the most punk rock and new-wave influenced icons of the 80s. The "Dancing with Myself" video helped catapult him onto the world stage. It's a rock and roll tour-de-force with Idol flipping his wild hair and moving to the upbeat track energetically. He defines a generation of frustrated teens looking to escape the society they felt trapped in. The addition of punk elements to the music video's visuals sets the tone for Billy Idol's musical career perfectly.

With his tattooed, chiseled physique, leather attire, and spiky hair, Billy Idol was the perfect embodiment of punk rock in the 80s. He brought punk rock to the mainstream in America, and "Dancing with Myself" played a significant role in his career's launch.

Part of why “Dancing With Myself” stands out among the sea of pop songs is the feeling it still evokes decades after its release. The song reflects the feeling of being lost and lonely in a dense crowd of people, a feeling everyone has experienced. It's difficult to make a connection with someone when you're in a place full of people. That's the song’s core message: the difference between being alone and being lonely, and how the feeling of being surrounded by others and yet feeling entirely isolated can be relatable at times. Billy Idol manages to encapsulate this feeling in "Dancing with Myself."

Billy Idol's "Dancing with Myself" remains an essential piece of 80s pop culture with an unforgettable beat, a timeless message, and has a vibe that just can't be duplicated. It's one of those songs that always makes you feel energetic and alive, even when you're in a place full of people. With Idol's powerful vocals and raw energy, it's a classic that has helped a generation throw caution to the wind and start dancing with themselves.

• Release Date: July 14, 1981
• Artist: Billy Idol