Dancing with Myself

"Dancing with Myself"
Single by Generation X
from the album Kiss Me Deadly
Released	1980
Recorded	1980
Genre	Punk rock, dance-punk
Label	Chrysalis Records
Writer(s)	Billy Idol, Tony James
Producer	Keith Forsey
Generation X singles chronology
"Friday's Angels" (1979) "Dancing with Myself" (1980)

"Dancing with Myself"
Single by Billy Idol
from the album Don't Stop
Released	1981
Recorded	1980 (remixed in 1981)
Genre	Post-punk, dance-punk
Length	3:20
Label	Chrysalis Records
Writer(s)	Billy Idol, Tony James
Producer	Keith Forsey
Billy Idol singles chronology
- "Dancing with Myself" (1981) "Mony Mony" (1981)

"Dancing with Myself" is a song by the band Generation X. The song was first released as a single and a 12" in 1980 and, a few weeks after the single release, was included on the band's last album - 1981's Kiss Me Deadly. It would become the group's most well-known song, but did not enjoy much success upon its initial release.

In 1981, Billy Idol remixed and re-released "Dancing with Myself" as a solo single, toning down its crunchy guitar sound and giving the song an overall brighter, poppier finish. Two versions were issued - the 3:20 single version (which was later included on Idol's 11 of the Best compilation), and the 4:50 extended version that appeared on Idol's Don't Stop EP.

Idol plays "Dancing with Myself" at most of his concerts, always introducing the song as having been originally written and recorded by Generation X. Since its release, the song has become something of a sports anthem.

Background

The music video was directed by Tobe Hooper (The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, Poltergeist).

Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones recorded the song with Idol. After recording the song, Jones had a seizure due to drug usage. Jones was rolled out of the studio on a stretcher.

In other media

• It is featured in 1987 film Can't Buy Me Love.
• It is featured in 2006 film Flushed Away.
• It is featured in 2008 advertisement for the French health insurance company La Mutuelle Générale.
• Cover version by The Donnas is featured in 2004 film Mean Girls.
• It is featured in 1998 film Gia, starring Angelina Jolie.
• It is sung by Gonzo in an episode of Muppets Tonight.
• It is featured in TV show Gossip Girl.
• It is featured in 2009 music video game Guitar Hero 5.
• It is featured in TV show "Castle", in episode "Famous Last Words".
• Artie from TV show Glee sings the Nouvelle Vague version of the song in the ninth episode, "Wheels".
• It is featured in 69th episode of Season 3 of Everybody Hates Chris.
• It is closing song of an Ugly Betty episode ("Plus None", Episode 5 of Season 4).
• It is featured in 2009 movie, The Men Who Stare at Goats.
• Nouvelle Vague version was used as the theme song for the first season of LA Ink.
• It is heard in the background of the King of the Hill episode "Just Another Manic Kahn-Day" (aired 5/6/10).
• It is featured in TV show Chuck, in episode Chuck Versus the Beard.
• Episode of Beavis & Butt-Head shows the duo critiquing the music video for Dancing with Myself, comparing it to masturbation ("Playing with myself").
• Punk Rock band Green Day covered Dancing With Myself on their 2009-2010 world tour, usually followed after the song Scattered.

Cover versions

• De Kreuners (1984) as "Ik dans wel met mezelf"
• Kids Incorporated (1989)
• Blink-182 (10 March 1997)
• 30 Foot Fall (2000)
• The Donnas (21 September 2004)
• Nouvelle Vague (10 July 2006)
• The Boomtang Boys
• Dag Vag as "Dansar med mig själv"
• Eläkeläiset as "Humppaan itsekseni"
• Green Day (Played live on 2000, 2005 & 2009 tours)
• Lisa Mitchell (Australian Idol 2006)
• Al Gonzales, New York based bagpiper, (www.theroyalpiper.com) with The Shots (2008)
• The Flukes (2007)
• Laura Bell Bundy (Recorded a country version for her CD "Longing For A Place Already Gone" released in 2007)
• Kevin Michael McHale as Artie Abrams on Fox's Glee (2009)

Charts

Generation X version

Chart (1981)	Peak position
UK Singles Chart	62

Billy Idol version

Chart (1981)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles	2
Chart (1983)	Peak position
RIANZ New Zealand Singles Chart	9

References