About the song
“Dancing in the Dark” is a quintessential rock anthem by American recording artist Bruce Springsteen, featured on his seventh studio album, Born in the U.S.A. (1984). Released as the album’s lead single on May 4, 1984, by Columbia Records, the song was written by Springsteen and produced in collaboration with Jon Landau, Chuck Plotkin, and Steven Van Zandt. It emerged during the final stages of production for Born in the U.S.A., when Springsteen’s manager Landau requested a potential hit single for the album.
The song’s lyrics reflect Springsteen’s struggle to create a successful piece of music and his anxiety about meeting expectations, likening the difficulty to “getting a gun that’s loaded and cocked.” Musically, “Dancing in the Dark” is characterized by its lively rock beat and Springsteen’s distinctive vocals. Upon its release, the song received enthusiastic reviews from music critics, praising its energetic melody and production quality.
Commercially, “Dancing in the Dark” enjoyed significant success, topping charts in Belgium and reaching the top 10 in numerous countries including Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. In the United States, it peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 for four consecutive weeks, marking it as Springsteen’s highest-charting single at the time.
The music video for “Dancing in the Dark,” directed by Brian De Palma, captures Springsteen and his band performing the song during concerts at the Saint Paul Civic Center on June 28 and 29, 1984. The video notably features Courteney Cox as a fan invited on stage to dance with Springsteen, adding to its charm and appeal. It received two MTV Video Music Award nominations in 1985, winning for Best Stage Performance.
Since its release, “Dancing in the Dark” has been covered and sampled by various artists including John Legend, Taylor Swift, Vance Joy, and Niall Horan, attesting to its enduring influence. It has also been included in several of Springsteen’s compilation albums, underscoring its status as a timeless classic in his discography.
“Dancing in the Dark” remains not only a testament to Springsteen’s songwriting prowess and musical versatility but also a cultural touchstone of the 1980s rock era, continuing to resonate with audiences worldwide decades after its debut. Its blend of heartfelt lyrics, dynamic melody, and iconic performances solidifies its place as one of Springsteen’s most celebrated and cherished songs.
Video
Lyrics
I get up in the evenin’
And I ain’t got nothin’ to say
I come home in the mornin’
I go to bed feelin’ the same way
I ain’t nothin’ but tired
Man, I’m just tired and bored with myself
Hey there, baby, I could use just a little help
You can’t start a fire
You can’t start a fire without a spark
This gun’s for hire
Even if we’re just dancin’ in the dark
Messages keeps gettin’ clearer
Radio’s on and I’m movin’ ’round my place
I check my look in the mirror
Wanna change my clothes, my hair, my face
Man, I ain’t gettin’ nowhere
I’m just livin’ in a dump like this
There’s somethin’ happenin’ somewhere
Baby, I just know that there is
You can’t start a fire
You can’t start a fire without a spark
This gun’s for hire
Even if we’re just dancin’ in the dark
You sit around gettin’ older
There’s a joke here somewhere and it’s on me
I’ll shake this world off my shoulders
Come on, baby, the laugh’s on me
Stay on the streets of this town
And they’ll be carvin’ you up alright
They say you gotta stay hungry
Hey baby, I’m just about starvin’ tonight
I’m dyin’ for some action
I’m sick of sittin’ ’round here tryin’ to write this book
I need a love reaction
Come on now, baby, gimme just one look
You can’t start a fire
Sittin’ ’round cryin’ over a broken heart
This gun’s for hire
Even if we’re just dancin’ in the dark
You can’t start a fire
Worryin’ about your little world fallin’ apart
This gun’s for hire
Even if we’re just dancin’ in the dark
Even if we’re just dancin’ in the dark
Even if we’re just dancin’ in the dark
Even if we’re just dancin’ in the dark
Hey baby