Murder on the Dancefloor
Encyclopedia
"Murder on the Dancefloor" is a song written by Gregg Alexander
and Sophie Ellis-Bextor
, produced by Alexander and Matt Rowe for Ellis-Bextor's first album Read My Lips. After the release of "Take Me Home" in August 2001, Ellis-Bextor released her best-selling single to date in December 2001. The song peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart
, stayed on the charts for twenty-three weeks, and became the most played song of 2002 in all of Europe
. The song was such a hit that the singer's label canceled what was planned to be the next single, "Lover", and replaced it with "Get Over You" and "Move This Mountain". It was also a hit in Australia
peaking at number three, staying in the top fifty for twenty weeks, accrediting platinum by ARIA
and ending to be the eleventh highest selling single for 2002.
, which was directed by Sophie Muller
, takes place at a dance contest whose winners are to gain a pair of golden shoes and a cash prize. Desperate to win, Ellis-Bextor manages to sneakily injure and disqualify many of the other dancers; injuring one with butter, tripping another, who she sees her do it and angrily points at her, poisoning a trio of possible competition using harmless looking, but poisoned punch, unstrapping one of the contestants clothes, framing another of cheating on his partner, using a G-String, knocking out one judge with what seems to be chloroform and seducing another, played by Colin Stinton
, into declaring her the winner after she sees he has a weak spot for women like her, which displeases the other dancers. Her use of these tactics leads to her win, with everyone else grudgingly clapping, while she is smiling with a crown, a big cash prize and golden shoes.
Cassette Single
Gregg Alexander
Gregg Alexander is an American singer/songwriter and producer, best known as the frontman of the New Radicals, who scored the international hit "You Get What You Give" in late 1998. Earlier in life he recorded two solo albums, Michigan Rain and Intoxifornication...
and 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...
, produced by Alexander and Matt Rowe for Ellis-Bextor's first album Read My Lips. After the release of "Take Me Home" in August 2001, Ellis-Bextor released her best-selling single to date in December 2001. The song peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, stayed on the charts for twenty-three weeks, and became the most played song of 2002 in all of Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. The song was such a hit that the singer's label canceled what was planned to be the next single, "Lover", and replaced it with "Get Over You" and "Move This Mountain". It was also a hit in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
peaking at number three, staying in the top fifty for twenty weeks, accrediting platinum by ARIA
Australian Recording Industry Association
The Australian Recording Industry Association is a trade group representing the Australian recording industry which was established in 1983 by six major record companies, EMI, Festival, CBS, RCA, WEA and Universal replacing the Association of Australian Record Manufacturers which was formed in 1956...
and ending to be the eleventh highest selling single for 2002.
Music video
The music videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
, which was directed by Sophie Muller
Sophie Muller
Sophie Muller is a British music video director, noted for her long-time collaborations with artists like Sophie Ellis-Bextor, No Doubt, Sade, Shakira, Shakespears Sister, Garbage, Blur, Annie Lennox and Eurythmics.-Background:...
, takes place at a dance contest whose winners are to gain a pair of golden shoes and a cash prize. Desperate to win, Ellis-Bextor manages to sneakily injure and disqualify many of the other dancers; injuring one with butter, tripping another, who she sees her do it and angrily points at her, poisoning a trio of possible competition using harmless looking, but poisoned punch, unstrapping one of the contestants clothes, framing another of cheating on his partner, using a G-String, knocking out one judge with what seems to be chloroform and seducing another, played by Colin Stinton
Colin Stinton
Colin Stinton is a Canadian-born actor who immigrated to the United States in 1952, and now lives in London. He often portrays fictional American politicians, lawyers and government agents. He recently played Neal Daniels in The Bourne Ultimatum...
, into declaring her the winner after she sees he has a weak spot for women like her, which displeases the other dancers. Her use of these tactics leads to her win, with everyone else grudgingly clapping, while she is smiling with a crown, a big cash prize and golden shoes.
Track listing
UK CD Single- "Murder on the Dancefloor" - 3:53
- "Never Let Me Down" - 4:12
- "Murder on the Dancefloor" (Parky & Birchy Remix) - 4:56
- "Murder on the Dancefloor" (Video) - 3:50
Cassette Single
- "Murder on the Dancefloor" - 3:37
- "Murder on the Dancefloor" (Jewels & Stone Mix Edit) - 4:52
Charts
| Chart (2001 & 2002) | Peak position |
|---|