About the song
The song “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing” by British singer Leo Sayer, featured on his 1976 album Endless Flight, remains a timeless anthem of joy and dance from the disco era. Its upbeat tempo and Leo Sayer’s distinctive falsetto voice captured the hearts of listeners worldwide, propelling it to significant chart success.
Despite its popularity, the song’s journey to fame was not without controversy. Ray Parker Jr., known for his own musical contributions, claimed that the song was originally his creation. Allegedly, Parker played the tune in a studio for an executive who promised him credit, but ultimately, Parker received no royalties or acknowledgment for his work. This dispute highlights the complex nature of music production and attribution in the industry during that time.
“You Make Me Feel Like Dancing” soared to the top of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, marking Leo Sayer’s first number-one single in the United States. Its infectious rhythm and catchy lyrics also secured it the second position on the UK Singles Chart. Billboard recognized its enduring popularity by ranking it as the 13th best song of 1977.
The song’s success was further underscored when its credited songwriters, Sayer and Vini Poncia, received the prestigious Grammy Award for Best R&B Song in 1978. This accolade cemented its impact on the music scene of the era.
In addition to its musical achievements, “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing” also found a place in popular culture through television. Leo Sayer performed the song on the iconic series The Muppet Show, showcasing its universal appeal and solidifying its status as a beloved classic.
The music video for the song features Leo Sayer singing and dancing energetically on a dimly lit stage. Special effects, such as mirrored images of Sayer’s face, add visual flair to complement the song’s dynamic rhythm and lively performance.
Musically, the song is characterized by its upbeat tempo, complemented by John Barnes on clavinet, Larry Carlton and Ray Parker Jr. on guitars, Steve Gadd and Jeff Porcaro on drums, and Chuck Rainey on bass. Background vocals by Clydie King, Becky Louis, and Sherlie Matthews, along with string arrangements by Gene Page, contribute to its rich, layered sound.
Overall, “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing” remains not only a hallmark of Leo Sayer’s career but also a testament to the infectious spirit of disco music, celebrated for its catchy melodies, energetic performances, and enduring popularity across generations.
Video
Lyrics
Ah-ah
Ah, ah-ah
Ah (would you sing), ah-ah
You’ve got a cute way of talkin’
You got the better of me
Just snap your fingers and I’m walkin’
Like a dog hangin’ on your lead, yeah yeah
I’m in a spin, you know
Shakin’ on a string, you know
You make me feel like dancin’
I wanna dance the night away
You make me feel like dancin’
Every night and everyday
You make feel like dancin’
I feel like dancin’, dancin’
Dance the night away
I feel like dancin’, dancin’
Quarter to four in the mornin’
I ain’t feeling tired, no, no, no, no, no, whoo!
Just hold me tight and leave on the light, yeah
‘Cause I don’t want to go home, no way, no
You put a spell on me
I’m right where you want me to be
You make me feel like dancin’
I wanna dance the night away
You make me feel like dancin’
Every night and every day
You make feel like dancin’
I feel like dancin’, dancin’
Dance the night away, yeah
Dancin’, dancin’, yeah
Dance the night away
I feel like dancin’, dancin’
Dance the night away, yeah
Dancin’, dancin’
You take me higher
I want to catch a fire
You make me feel like dancin’
I wanna dance my life away
You make me feel like dancin’
Every night and every day
You make feel like dancin’
I wanna dance my life away (you make me feel)
You make feel like dancin’
I wanna dance my life away
You make feel like dancin’
I wanna dance my life away (every night and every day)
You make feel like dancin’
I wanna dance my life away
You make feel like dancin’
I wanna dance my life away
You make feel like dancin’
I wanna dance my life away
Thank you
Thank you very much