"Let's Dance" is a 1962 hit-single by Chris Montez, written and produced by Jim Lee.
Original version
The personnel on the original recording included Joel Hill on guitar, Ray Johnson on Philicorda organ, Ray Pohlman on bass guitar and Jesse Sailes on drums. When initially released, the song shot to #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the U.S., and to No. 2 in the UK Singles Chart. In 1972 the song was coupled as an "oldie" with the Shirelles "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" and re-released in Europe. Based on radio play, the record company, London Records, quickly removed the Shirelles cut and replaced it with the original flip side "You're the One". Consequently, the recording reached the top five for a second time, in both Britain and Germany. It was also the title track of a 1972 album by Montez.
"Let's Dance" was covered by British rock band Slade in 1985 for their studio/compilation album Crackers – The Christmas Party Album. The version was produced by bassist Jim Lea. In 1988, the band released their version as a single, dubbed the "1988 Remix". It failed to chart in the UK.
Background
Having reverted to their own independent label Cheapskate in 1987, Slade were largely inactive in 1988, having agreed to take an 18-month break. However, in November 1988, the band decided to release their 1985 cover of "Let's Dance" as a single, but it failed to gain sufficient radio airplay and did not reach the charts. "Let's Dance" had been recorded for Crackers. In a 1989 interview with Guitarist, guitarist Dave Hill recalled: "We just did a rock version of it for a laugh, and thought we'd stick it out." Speaking of the band's decision to release it as a single, Holder said in a 1989 fan club interview: "We thought it was a good track. We decided that "Let's Dance" stood a good chance of getting some airplay so we decided to put the record out, but it wasn't the case. Only the commercial stations like Piccadilly and some of the others played it regularly, but without Radio One, you're sunk."
Release
"Let's Dance" was released on 7" vinyl and 3" CD by Cheapskate Records in the UK only. The 7" vinyl included the B-side "Standing on the Corner", which was an album track taken from the band's 1974 album Slade in Flame. For the CD version, two extra tracks were added; "Far Far Away" and "How Does It Feel". Both were also taken from Slade in Flame.
Critical reception
Upon release, the single was reviewed on the BBC Radio 1 programme Singled Out. Those who reviewed the single were producers Stock, Aitken, and Waterman. All three reminisced about the band with DJ Mike Read, stating what a great band they were. Mike Stock commented that Noddy Holder was the greatest pure rock 'n' roll singer since John Lennon.
Jim Lea - synthesiser, bass, backing vocals, producer of "Let's Dance"
Dave Hill - lead guitar, backing vocals
Don Powell - drums
;Additional personnel
Chas Chandler - producer of "Standing on the Corner", "Far Far Away" and "How Does It Feel"
Other charting covers
Swedish pop groupOla & the Janglers had a hit with "Let's Dance" in 1968, which reached #92 on the Billboard Hot 100. British rock band Status Quo included "Let's Dance" in their 1990 medley "The Anniversary Waltz ", which was a hit throughout Europe and hit #2 on the UK Singles Chart.
Other covers
Other artists who have covered the song include:
French singer Sylvie Vartan in 1962, in French, under the title "Dansons", with French lyrics by André SalvetTous Mes Copains at Discogs">
