D.A.N.C.E.

"D.A.N.C.E."
Single by Justice
from the album †
B-side
  • "B.E.A.T." (7", 12")
  • Extended mix (12")
  • "Phantom" (12")
  • Remixes
Released23 April 2007
Recorded2005–06 in Paris, France
Genre
Length4:02 (album version)
  • 3:32 (radio edit)
  • 2:29 (English radio edit)
Label
Songwriters
  • Gaspard Augé
  • Jessie Chaton
  • Xavier de Rosnay
ProducerJustice
Justice singles chronology
"We Are Your Friends"
(2006)		 "D.A.N.C.E."
(2007)		 "Phantom Pt. II"
(2007)
Audio sample
Justice – "D.A.N.C.E."
Music video
"D.A.N.C.E." on YouTube

"D.A.N.C.E." is the second single by French electronic music duo Justice and the first from their 2007 album †. It includes edited and extended versions of "D.A.N.C.E", a rougher mix in the style of their earlier releases, "B.E.A.T", and the track "Phantom" which was previously issued in limited quantities twice on 12" vinyl preceding the release of "D.A.N.C.E.".

History and background

According to the duo, they were huge Michael Jackson fans and decided to dedicate the song to him. The song references various Michael Jackson songs including "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)", "Black or White", "Working Day and Night" and "Whatever Happens" along with the Jackson 5 song "ABC" and Michael Jackson's album Music & Me. The choruses of "D.A.N.C.E." contain an interpolation of the coda of Britney Spears's song "Me Against the Music". Vocals are provided by the London-based Foundation for Young Musicians choir.

The music video for "D.A.N.C.E." was shot by French directorial duo Jonas & François, with animation by French animator So Me. The video was nominated for the 2007 MTV Video Music Award "Video of the Year" and won the award at the MTV Europe Music Awards. The music video is shot in the style of pop art. In the video, Augé and de Rosnay walk, and the images of their t-shirts constantly change and morph (cars, mouths, thunderbolts, lollipops, numbers, letters, and the lyrics).

Many unofficial remixes of the song appeared on the Internet before its official release. Canadian electronic duo MSTRKRFT released an official version, being the only group to receive instrumentals and vocals separately. One remix was made by Washington, D.C. rapper Wale entitled "W.A.L.E.D.A.N.C.E."; the Chicago Reader picked it as a staff favourite from 2007 and called the remix "positively epic". Wale and Mark Ronson performed the song at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards, and Wale later appeared on the cover of URB magazine with Justice.

The song was number 4 on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Best Songs of 2007. The live version of the song was sampled by Swizz Beatz for Jay-Z's "On to the Next One" on The Blueprint 3 in 2009.

Format and track listing

Chart performance

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
New Zealand (RMNZ) Gold 15,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI) Silver 200,000‡
United States (RIAA) Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release dates and formats for "D.A.N.C.E."
Region Date Format Label(s) Ref.
United States January 29, 2008 Mainstream airplay Ed Banger

Notes

  1. ↑ While the album has been attributed many titles, including Cross and Justice, Xavier de Rosnay has stated the album is untitled. Justice has also stated the Latin cross symbol is preferred when referring to the album.

References

  1. 1 2 Rolling Stone Staff (24 October 2023). "The 100 Best Pop Songs Never to Hit the Hot 100". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 16 January 2025. Sometimes, it's as simple as a dance-pop song titled "D.A.N.C.E."...the nu-disco track featured Michael Jackson lyrics, a Britney Spears interpolation and vocals from the Foundation for Young Musicians choir
  2. ↑ "Recording "D.A.N.C.E." by Justice – MusicBrainz". musicbrainz.org.
  3. ↑ Harrison, Angus (1 December 2016). "TRAVAIL FAMILLE PARTY: Welcome to Justice's Private Universe". Vice.
  4. ↑ Anderson, Sarah (9 August 2012). "64 Of The Most Beautiful Band Logos". NME. Archived from the original on 3 November 2016. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  5. ↑ Yopko, Nick (18 June 2018). "On this Day in EDM History: Justice Release Their Debut Album". EDM.com. Archived from the original on 5 January 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  6. ↑ "Justice on the making of D.A.N.C.E: "It was meant to be a tribute to Michael Jackson"". MusicRadar. 4 November 2011. Retrieved 12 March 2026.
  7. ↑ Hebblethwaite, Phil (26 September 2018). "Massive tunes you'll hear differently when you know who they sampled – BBC Music". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  8. ↑ Barrie, Stuart (7 June 2007). "THE DJ QA & JUSTICE". Daily Record.
  9. ↑ "Culture Bully » Blog Archive » Do the "D.A.N.C.E.": Justice Remixes". Archived from the original on 24 December 2007. Retrieved 23 January 2008.
  10. ↑ Kendrick, Monica, "From Black Metal to White Chalk" Archived 9 May 2009 at the Wayback Machine, Chicago Reader, 3 January 2008
  11. ↑ "Watch Full Episodes – TV Shows". MTV.
  12. ↑ no byline, "Justice and Wale behind the scenes :: URB Cover Shoot" Archived 20 November 2008 at the Wayback Machine, URB Magazine, 11 October 2007
  13. ↑ No byline (11 December 2007). "The 100 Best Songs of 2007" Rolling Stone. Retrieved 21 December 2007
  14. ↑ Zimmerman, Edith (4 February 2010). "Watch How Swizz Beats Turned Justice's 'D.A.N.C.E.' Into Jay-Z's 'On to the Next One'". Vulture. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
  15. ↑ "Justice – D.A.N.C.E." (in Dutch). Ultratip.
  16. ↑ "Justice – D.A.N.C.E." (in French). Ultratip.
  17. ↑ "Justice: D.A.N.C.E." (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat.
  18. ↑ "Justice – D.A.N.C.E." (in French). Le classement de singles.
  19. ↑ "Justice – D.A.N.C.E.". Top Digital Download.
  20. ↑ "Justice – D.A.N.C.E.". Swiss Singles Chart.
  21. ↑ "Official Singles Chart on 23/6/2007 – Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  22. ↑ "Official Dance Singles Chart on 23/6/2007 – Top 40". Official Charts Company.
  23. ↑ "Justice Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard.
  24. ↑ "Justice Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard.
  25. ↑ "Justice Chart History (Hot Dance/Electronic Songs)". Billboard.
  26. ↑ "Hot Dance/Electronic Songs – Year-End 2013". Billboard. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
  27. ↑ "New Zealand single certifications – Justice – D.A.N.C.E." Radioscope. Retrieved 23 January 2026. Type D.A.N.C.E. in the "Search:" field and press Enter.
  28. ↑ "British single certifications – Justice – D.A.N.C.E." British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 16 November 2021. Select singles in the Formats field. Type D.A.N.C.E. Justice in the "Search:" field.
  29. ↑ "American single certifications – Justice – D.A.N.C.E." Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
  30. ↑ "FMQB: Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!". fmqb.com. Archived from the original on 21 October 2010. Retrieved 6 March 2026.