Dance with Me (Orleans song)



"Dance with Me" is the title of a 1975 hit single by American soft rock band Orleans.

The song was written by group member John Hall and journalist-turned-lyricist Johanna Hall (then a married couple). According to Johanna Hall, John Hall wrote the melody first, and when on first hearing it Johanna suggested "Dance with Me" as the title John rejected the idea as too simple. The couple were out driving one day when Johanna, struck by inspiration, blurted out the lyrics: "Pick the beat up and kick your feet up", and John was won over to the idea of her writing the song's lyric for the title "Dance With Me".

Featuring a melodica solo by Larry Hoppen, "Dance With Me" was introduced on the album Let There Be Music and was issued as that album's second single July 19 1975 to become Orleans' first Top 40 single, reaching a Billboard Hot 100 peak of #6 that October.

"Dance With Me" served for the title of a musical revue of compositions by John and Johanna Hall which was mounted by the Playwrights Theatre of New Jersey at its Madison venue from 1-17 December 2000.

Other covers

 * In 1976, the cast of The Brady Bunch performed the song in the pilot of The Brady Bunch Variety Hour.
 * In 1977, American jazz guitarist Earl Klugh recorded an instrumental version for his album Finger Paintings
 * In 1980, Livingston Taylor covered the song for his album Man's Best Friend.
 * In 1982, Bobby McFerrin recorded a Latin jazz-influenced version for his album Bobby McFerrin.
 * In 1994, Canadian musicians, John McGale & Mario Chagnon (aka Toyo) recorded a French-language version of the song called "Angelie" on their album Symbiose.
 * In 1996, Filipino singer Regine Velasquez recorded the song as a duet with her mother, on her album Retro.
 * In 2002, Hank Marvin did an instrumental version of the song on his album Guitar Player.
 * In 2005, Engelbert Humperdinck recorded a version included on his album Let There Be Love.
 * In 2007, Shaw Blades recorded a version included on their album Influence.