Craig Allen’s Fun Facts: “Dancing In The Dark”

Its one of "Jersey's Favorite Hits!" And, its just NOT a "music weekend" without "Dancing In The Dark!"

Bruce Springsteen had over 70 songs to choose from for his "Born In The U.S.A" album...

"Dancing In The Dark" was the LAST song that Bruce wrote for the album...and it was the first single released from the album!

Bruce wrote "Dancing" after a verbal fight with his manager, Jon Landau. Landau wanted a guaranteed HIT from the album! It was his feeling that having a BIG HIT would cement Springsteen's "superstar" status.

Bruce put pen to paper that night!

Its the perfect example of a manager, or record executive, getting the artist so fired up, that the energy is just right...and the result is the desired/demanded HIT song! The ends justify the means, right?

So, what is "Dancing In The Dark" all about?

Now that you know the "back story," it only makes sense that its about...Bruce's frustrations with writing HIT songs! Put another way: writing songs that will please people!

His feelings pour out, as he says that he feels like a hired gun...waiting for some action...

About the record business: "They say you gotta stay hungry. Hey, baby, I'm just about starving tonight."

"Man, I ain't getting nowhere, I'm just living in a dump like this" ...rather bleak lyrics...

By the end of the song, though, Bruce seems to be feeling a little more hopeful; "You can't start a fire worrying about your little world falling apart." All you need is a "spark."

The dark feeling and deep meaning of "Dancing In The Dark" is, to this day, lost on most listeners...who are enjoying the catchy beat.

The original concept for the video was to literally have Bruce Dancing In The Dark...against a black background. There was a disagreement between Bruce and the video's director and photography director...over lighting and filter use. After a few takes, Bruce walked out on the shoot.

A new director, Brian DePalma, directed the video that ruled MTV...

It was filmed during Bruce's show at the St. Paul Civic Center (Minnesota) on June 29, 1984.

Bruce sang "Dancing In The Dark" about halfway through the concert...so that he was good and sweaty...and the concert goers were worked up into a frenzy!

To get all the shots that were needed, Bruce sang the song TWICE...and director DePalma re-positioned the cameras...

A virtually unknown actress, Courteney Cox, was planted in the audience.

Years before she achieved worldwide fame as "Monica" on "Friends," Courteney got to be the adoring fan in the front row, who is pulled onstage, and gets to dance with the Boss!

The "Dancing In The Dark" single was released on May 3, 1984 (before the album hit record store shelves).

It quickly climbed the Billboard Hot 100 charts, landing at #2 on June 30th. All this hit action before the video was released!

That week, June 30th, Duran Duran's "The Reflex" hit #1...denying Bruce the top spot.

Next, Prince's "When Doves Cry" hit #1...leap-frogging over Bruce!

With the "Dancing In The Dark" video all over MTV...and with heavy radio airplay...it looked like Bruce would have a #1 record...but it was not meant to be.

"When Doves Cry" would hold Bruce at #2 for 3 weeks.

"Dancing In The Dark" would win Bruce Springsteen his first Grammy. In 1985, he won the award for "Best Male Vocal."

In the 1985 "Rolling Stone Reader's Poll," the song was voted "Single Of The Year."

And, of course, "Dancing In The Dark" will always be one of "Jersey's Favorite Hits" on New Jersey 101.5!