"The Politics of Dancing" by Re-Flex

Song#:  1704
Date:  11/26/1983
Debut:  89
Peak:  24
Weeks:  21
Genre:  Synthpop, New Wave



Pop Bits:  This British band was initially developed by John Baxter and Paul Fishman. The rest of the line-up would change several times before finally settling on a group that would record their debut LP The Politics of Dancing. This lead title-track single, written by Fishman and sung by Baxter, would get issued in the UK early in '83. It did reasonably well getting to #28. The single was later issued in the US and the results were similar with a Top 30 showing at Pop. The song did slightly better at Rock getting to #19, but its best success was a #8 showing on the Dance chart.

ReduxReview:  I'm not really sure why this song didn't do better. It's got a great chorus ("ooooo feelin' good!"), the production is spot-on, and Baxter's vocals are pretty awesome. It just sounds like a hit. I didn't buy the single at the time, but I know I wanted to. Later on, I was able to rediscover it thanks to its including on an 80s compilation. Others should do the same. It's a lost synthpop gem that needs to be dusted off and admired.

ReduxRating:  8/10

Trivia:  Apparently, when the producers of the upcoming soundtrack for the soon-to-be hit film Footloose were scouting around for songs, this one made it to their desk. It seemed to be a good fit for the film's central theme of a community that has banned dancing and it was seriously considered. In the end, it was set aside in favor of Shalamar's "Dancing in the Sheets." The film would be a sizable hit, but the soundtrack would become a bit of a phenomenon in a Flashdance kind of way. The album would reach #1 and remain there for ten weeks.

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