So stand up and dance

Over at Jim’s Song Lyric Sunday the theme for this week is “songs that mention the words Carnival, Festival, Gala, Jamboree, Party“. I’m not using any of the prompt words, but since it’s ok to conform to a general theme, I think this song fits because this song is about dancing and people dance at carnivals, festivals, galas, jamborees and parties.

People also dance because they’re happy and it feels good and feeling good is what this song is about.

I’m not going to post the lyrics because they’re really simple and easy to hear. This isn’t a song to sit and read, it’s one to listen to and and dance to. One to just let wash over you and make you feel good. And for me, this song never fails to clear my mind while I sign along.

If you’re like me you probably first heard this song on the radio when it was released. If you came along a little later then you may have heard it performed by one of the many artists that covered the song, like Jubel (who?), Toploader (huh?), Alyson Stoner (what?), or Liza Minelli (seriously?)

Dancing in the Moonlight was a hit for the band King Harvest in 1972, and that’s the version I fell in love with, but that version was also a cover. The song, written by Sherman Kelly in 1969, was originally recorded by his band Boffalongo in 1970.

From Wikipedia:

“On a trip to St. Croix in 1969, I was the first victim of a vicious St. Croix gang who eventually murdered 8 American tourists. At that time, I suffered multiple facial fractures and wounds and was left for dead. While I was recovering, I wrote “Dancin In The Moonlight” in which I envisioned an alternate reality, the dream of a peaceful and joyful celebration of life.

The version I’m sharing is the original version. Both this and the King Harvest version are pure pop rock, but this version has more of a carefree 60’s country rock/Americana sound and feel to me. It’s a little rawer and more natural.

Again, the lyrics are right there and you can’t miss them. So stand up and dance and pretend you’re at a carnival, festival, gala, jamboree, or party and let yourself get lost in the dream of a peaceful and joyful celebration of life.