If I Can't Dance
Encyclopedia
"If I Can't Dance" is a pop
song written by Sophie Ellis-Bextor
and Dimitri Tikovoi
for Ellis-Bextor's third album, Trip the Light Fantastic. The song is a reference to the famous quote from Emma Goldman
, "If I can't dance, I don't want to be part of your revolution". Goldman never said these exact words but she did convey this idea in an encounter with a young revolutionary that she mentions in her autobiography Living My Life
.
in August 2007, Ellis-Bextor announced that "If I Can't Dance" was to be released as the fourth single from her album Trip The Light Fantastic in November 2007. She performed the song live for the first time in September 2007 on the BBC1 Saturday night game show, DanceX
. Around this time, Sophie announced that she was unsure if she wished to release "If I Can't Dance", due to the popularity of "Love Is Here" amongst fans, and that after her performance on DanceX
, fans had urged her to release "Love Is Here" instead. She then announced plans for releasing "If I Can't Dance" would stay, and that "Love Is Here" would become the fifth single instead. On October 9, 2007, Ellis-Bextor announced that plans to release "If I Can't Dance" and "Love Is Here" had been cancelled, and that her record label would release a new, unreleased song in their place. However, when the song was featured on the St Trinian's soundtrack, which was released on December 10, 2007, rumours spurred that the single would, in fact, be released. In January 2008, Ellis Bextor made a shock announcement that the Trip The Light Fantastic era was concluded, and soon after, plans for a Greatest Hits compilation that was expected for release in Autumn 2008 came to light. However, rumours became rive once again when the track was confirmed for inclusion on the compilation. However, Ellis-Bextor once again confirmed in February 2008 the track would not be released as a single. Rumours were soon put to rest, however, on May 5, 2008, a single release of "If I Can't Dance" surprisingly appeared on the iTunes store without any prior announcement or confirmation, complete with new artwork and backed with the B-side "Can't Have It All". Days later, the single was removed from the store, and since, fans have wondered if the single was listed by Fascination, due to its removal just days later. This also meant the single failed to chart anywhere.
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
song written by Sophie Ellis-Bextor
Sophie Ellis-Bextor
Sophie Michelle Ellis-Bextor is an English singer, songwriter, model and occasional DJ. She first came to prominence in the late 1990s, as the lead singer of the indie rock band Theaudience. After the group disbanded, Ellis-Bextor went solo, achieving widespread success in the early 2000s...
and Dimitri Tikovoi
Dimitri Tikovoi
Dimitri Tikovoi is a French record producer and DJ who has worked with bands such as Placebo, The Horrors, John Cale , Hope Of The States, Goldfrapp, etc....
for Ellis-Bextor's third album, Trip the Light Fantastic. The song is a reference to the famous quote from Emma Goldman
Emma Goldman
Emma Goldman was an anarchist known for her political activism, writing and speeches. She played a pivotal role in the development of anarchist political philosophy in North America and Europe in the first half of the twentieth century....
, "If I can't dance, I don't want to be part of your revolution". Goldman never said these exact words but she did convey this idea in an encounter with a young revolutionary that she mentions in her autobiography Living My Life
Living My Life
Living My Life is the 993-page autobiography of Lithuanian-born anarchist Emma Goldman, published in two volumes in 1931 and 1934 . Goldman wrote it in Saint-Tropez, France, following her disillusionment with the Bolshevik role in the Russian revolution...
.
Background
In an interview with Digital SpyDigital Spy
Digital Spy is a British entertainment and media news website. According to Alexa Internet traffic statistics, as of February 2011, Digital Spy is the 93rd most popular website in the United Kingdom, with an overall Alexa ranking of 2,088....
in August 2007, Ellis-Bextor announced that "If I Can't Dance" was to be released as the fourth single from her album Trip The Light Fantastic in November 2007. She performed the song live for the first time in September 2007 on the BBC1 Saturday night game show, DanceX
DanceX
DanceX is a reality television show produced in the UK for BBC One in 2007. It is a live show, in which two teams of male and female dancers compete to form a new dance group. Team Bruno won the show on August 25.-DanceX Presenter and Team Leaders:...
. Around this time, Sophie announced that she was unsure if she wished to release "If I Can't Dance", due to the popularity of "Love Is Here" amongst fans, and that after her performance on DanceX
DanceX
DanceX is a reality television show produced in the UK for BBC One in 2007. It is a live show, in which two teams of male and female dancers compete to form a new dance group. Team Bruno won the show on August 25.-DanceX Presenter and Team Leaders:...
, fans had urged her to release "Love Is Here" instead. She then announced plans for releasing "If I Can't Dance" would stay, and that "Love Is Here" would become the fifth single instead. On October 9, 2007, Ellis-Bextor announced that plans to release "If I Can't Dance" and "Love Is Here" had been cancelled, and that her record label would release a new, unreleased song in their place. However, when the song was featured on the St Trinian's soundtrack, which was released on December 10, 2007, rumours spurred that the single would, in fact, be released. In January 2008, Ellis Bextor made a shock announcement that the Trip The Light Fantastic era was concluded, and soon after, plans for a Greatest Hits compilation that was expected for release in Autumn 2008 came to light. However, rumours became rive once again when the track was confirmed for inclusion on the compilation. However, Ellis-Bextor once again confirmed in February 2008 the track would not be released as a single. Rumours were soon put to rest, however, on May 5, 2008, a single release of "If I Can't Dance" surprisingly appeared on the iTunes store without any prior announcement or confirmation, complete with new artwork and backed with the B-side "Can't Have It All". Days later, the single was removed from the store, and since, fans have wondered if the single was listed by Fascination, due to its removal just days later. This also meant the single failed to chart anywhere.