Soca Dance
Encyclopedia
"Soca Dance" is the name of a 1990 song written and recorded by the artist Charles D. Lewis
. It was released as a single from his album Do You Feel It and became a summer hit, topping the charts in France and Belgium. The song also gave its name to the dance performed on it.
had sponsored the "Lambada", which was huge success presented by the TV channel as the summer hit. TF1 decided to repeat the experience seeking a new song combining exoticism and suggestive dance. Finally, "Soca Dance" was chosen.
The song was written by the singer Charles D. Lewis himself (he also composed the music) and Gary Gordon-Smith who also produced it. It contains sexual content.
's hit for two consecutive weeks. It then topped the chart for six weeks, but was disloged by Zouk Machine who reached again #1. It almost didn't stop to drop, first slowly, then more quickly, remaining for 14 weeks in the top ten and 20 weeks on the chart (top 50). It achieved Gold
status and is to date the 495th best-selling single of all time in this country.
Charles D. Lewis was the first artist from Saint Vincent, Antilles
, to reach the top ten, followed in 2004 by Kevin Lyttle
with his hit "Turn Me On".
The song was also successfully in Belgium
(Wallonia), topping the chart. It was a moderate hit in Germany
, where it peaked at #10 in October 1990, and in Austria, where it featured for a single week on the chart at #30 on November 11, 1990.
Charles D. Lewis
Charles D. Lewis is a Barbadian songwriter, recording artist, bassist, engineer, and producer.-Career:Charles is best known for his writing and performance of Soca Dance, released in Europe in 1990. It was number one for seven weeks in France & Belgium, gaining Gold Records in both countries...
. It was released as a single from his album Do You Feel It and became a summer hit, topping the charts in France and Belgium. The song also gave its name to the dance performed on it.
Background and writing
In France, in 1989, TF1TF1
TF1 is a national French TV channel, controlled by TF1 Group, whose major share-holder is Bouygues. TF1's average market share of 24% makes it the most popular domestic network...
had sponsored the "Lambada", which was huge success presented by the TV channel as the summer hit. TF1 decided to repeat the experience seeking a new song combining exoticism and suggestive dance. Finally, "Soca Dance" was chosen.
The song was written by the singer Charles D. Lewis himself (he also composed the music) and Gary Gordon-Smith who also produced it. It contains sexual content.
Chart performances
In France, the single went straight to #12 on July 14, 1990, climbed at #7, then was blocked at #2 by Zouk MachineZouk Machine
Zouk Machine is an all-female zouk group from Guadeloupe which had several hits particularly in France, such as the summer number-one single on French SNEP Singles Chart "Maldon' ", in 1990 that sold over 1 million copies well more than any others zouk band, even Kassav.-History:Founded in 1986 by...
's hit for two consecutive weeks. It then topped the chart for six weeks, but was disloged by Zouk Machine who reached again #1. It almost didn't stop to drop, first slowly, then more quickly, remaining for 14 weeks in the top ten and 20 weeks on the chart (top 50). It achieved Gold
Music recording sales certification
Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,...
status and is to date the 495th best-selling single of all time in this country.
Charles D. Lewis was the first artist from Saint Vincent, Antilles
Saint Vincent (island)
Saint Vincent is a volcanic island in the Caribbean. It is the largest island of the chain called Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. It is located in the Caribbean Sea, between Saint Lucia and Grenada. It is composed of partially submerged volcanic mountains...
, to reach the top ten, followed in 2004 by Kevin Lyttle
Kevin Lyttle
Kevin Lyttle is a soca artist hailing from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, who had a worldwide hit with the interpellative soca ballad "Turn Me On", which was recorded by Lyttle and the dancehall artist Spragga Benz.-Career:Previously, Lyttle had subsisted on day jobs, such as customs officer...
with his hit "Turn Me On".
The song was also successfully in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
(Wallonia), topping the chart. It was a moderate hit in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, where it peaked at #10 in October 1990, and in Austria, where it featured for a single week on the chart at #30 on November 11, 1990.
Track listings
- 7" single
- "Soca Dance" (bajan edit) — 3:39
- "My Life, Your Life" (edit) — 4:23
- CD maxi
- "Soca Dance" (bajan mix) — 6:36
- "Soca Dance" (bajan edit) — 3:41
- "My Life, Your Life" (edit) — 4:22
- 7" maxi
- "Soca Dance" (bajan mix) — 6:36
- "Soca Dance" (bajan edit) — 3:41
- "My Life, Your Life" (edit) — 4:22
- Cassette
- "Soca Dance" (bajan edit) — 3:39
- "My Life, Your Life" (edit) — 4:23
Certifications
| Country | Certification | Date | Sales certified | Physical sales |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| France | Gold | 1990 | 500,000 | 528,000 |
Charts
| Chart (1990) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Austrian Singles Chart | 30 |
| Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart | 1 |
| Dutch Singles Chart | 28 |
| French SNEP Singles Chart | 1 |
| German Singles Chart | 10 |