Today’s song is by Billy Idol, and you might want to get up and dance to this one! Here are some fun facts about his hit “Dancing With Myself.”

Fun Facts

• “Dancing With Myself“ was first recorded in 1980 by Billy Idol with his band Generation X. But producer Keith Forsey recommended Billy try to release it himself in the United States.
• The song was initially a smash hit. “Dancing With Myself” was recorded anew when Idol released various extended singles in 1981. It has been recently remastered.
• While it never hit Billboard’s Hot 100, the song did reach #2 on Billboard Bubbling Under Chart
• The music video for the song launched on the new music video channel, MTV. It received immense success.
• It remains one of the quintessential 80’s Pop/Rock songs of its time. However, many consider the song to be more Punk.
• “Dancing With Myself“ has been featured on numerous movie soundtracks, as an original or as a cover song. Soundtracks include “Gia,” “Mean Girls,” and “Flushed Away.”
• While Idol is known for other hits, such as “Rebel Yell“ and “White Wedding,” “Dancing With Myself“ is touted as launching his career.
• “Dancing With Myself“ is the name of Idol’s new autobiography.
• According to Urban Legend, the song deals with masturbation. It’s not entirely true, though. Billy was inspired after observing Japanese kids at a Tokyo disco “dancing with themselves” in a nightclub. “Pogo-style” dancing was done at the club, and mirrors allowed the kids to observe themselves as they did it. The song lyrics reflect the famous dance scenes of Tokyo and London at the time.

Lyrics

(Musixmatch)

On the floors of Tokyo

Or down in London town to go, go

With a record selection and a mirror direction

I’m dancing with myself

When there’s no one else in sight

In the crowded lonely night

Well I wait so long for my love vibration

And I’m dancing with myself, oh-oh

Dancing with myself, oh-oh

Dancing with myself

When there’s nothing to lose and there’s nothing to prove

Well I’m dancing with myself

Ah, oh, oh-oh

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’d be dancing with myself, oh-oh

Dancing with myself, oh-oh

Dancing with myself

When there’s nothing to lose and there’s nothing to prove

Well I’m dancing with myself

Ah oh oh-oh

Ah oh oh-oh-oh

Ah oh oh-oh

Ah oh oh-oh

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’d be dancing with myself, 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

Oh oh oh-oh

Oh oh oh-oh

Oh oh oh-oh

Oh oh oh-oh

Oh-oh, dancing with myself

Oh-oh, dancing with myself (sweat)

Oh-oh, dancing with myself (sweat, sweat, sweat)

Oh-oh, dancing with myself (sweat, sweat, sweat, sweat)

Oh-oh, dancing with myself (sweat, sweat, sweat, sweat)

Oh-oh, dancing with myself (sweat, sweat, sweat, sweat, sweat, sweat, aah!)

Oh-oh, dancing with myself

Oh-oh, dancing with myself

Oh-oh

With myself

With myself