Magic Dance
Encyclopedia
"Magic Dance" is one of the featured songs performed by David Bowie
in the 1986 Jim Henson
movie, Labyrinth
. It is also credited as "Dance Magic" in some instances.
This song is a dance number which momentarily takes the focus away from Sarah (Jennifer Connelly
) to observe the goings on in the castle at the centre of the labyrinth. Jareth, played by Bowie, amuses himself by singing to Toby. The lyric 'What kind of magic spell to use?' possibly refers to the search for a spell that will cheer up a crying Toby. The answer they discover is 'Magic Dance'.
The song then begins with a simple dance beat, while a series of questions and answers between Jareth and the goblins presented in call-response form are layered over. Seeing that the goblins are still confused, Jareth provides further explanation in the form of an '80s dance/rock sequence. The goblins all sing along with Jareth, recounting multiple spells, and ultimately choosing a form of "magic dance".
The song lyrics makes reference to the 1947 movie The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer
starring Cary Grant
: "Hey, You remind me of the Man / Babe, What Man / Babe, The Man / Babe with the Power....".
The song appears in different forms in the film and on the soundtrack. Both versions use the same basic song and recordings made in the studio, but vocal tracks for the film and soundtrack were recorded apart from each other. In addition, the song is shortened in the film, fading out mid-way through.
The song also appears in a reprise medley with "Underground
" at the end of the film.
The single wasn't available in all markets around the world. The main single, only released on 12" was released in the US, Spanish and Italian markets, among others. The single was never released commercially in the UK until the digital download in early 2007.
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
in the 1986 Jim Henson
Jim Henson
James Maury "Jim" Henson was an American puppeteer best known as the creator of The Muppets. As a puppeteer, Henson performed in various television programs, such as Sesame Street and The Muppet Show, films such as The Muppet Movie and The Great Muppet Caper, and created advanced puppets for...
movie, Labyrinth
Labyrinth (film)
Labyrinth is a 1986 British/American fantasy film directed by Jim Henson, produced by George Lucas, and designed by Brian Froud. Henson collaborated on the screenwriting with children's author Dennis Lee, Terry Jones from Monty Python, and Elaine May .The film stars David Bowie as Jareth the Goblin...
. It is also credited as "Dance Magic" in some instances.
This song is a dance number which momentarily takes the focus away from Sarah (Jennifer Connelly
Jennifer Connelly
Jennifer Lynn Connelly is an American film actress, who began her career as a child model. She appeared in magazine, newspaper and television advertising, before making her motion picture debut in the 1984 crime film Once Upon a Time in America...
) to observe the goings on in the castle at the centre of the labyrinth. Jareth, played by Bowie, amuses himself by singing to Toby. The lyric 'What kind of magic spell to use?' possibly refers to the search for a spell that will cheer up a crying Toby. The answer they discover is 'Magic Dance'.
The song then begins with a simple dance beat, while a series of questions and answers between Jareth and the goblins presented in call-response form are layered over. Seeing that the goblins are still confused, Jareth provides further explanation in the form of an '80s dance/rock sequence. The goblins all sing along with Jareth, recounting multiple spells, and ultimately choosing a form of "magic dance".
The song lyrics makes reference to the 1947 movie The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer
The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer
The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer is a 1947 American screwball comedy film directed by Irving Reis. The screenplay was written by Sidney Sheldon. The film stars Cary Grant, Myrna Loy, and Shirley Temple in a story about a teenager's crush on an older man. The film was a critical success...
starring Cary Grant
Cary Grant
Archibald Alexander Leach , better known by his stage name Cary Grant, was an English actor who later took U.S. citizenship...
: "Hey, You remind me of the Man / Babe, What Man / Babe, The Man / Babe with the Power....".
The song appears in different forms in the film and on the soundtrack. Both versions use the same basic song and recordings made in the studio, but vocal tracks for the film and soundtrack were recorded apart from each other. In addition, the song is shortened in the film, fading out mid-way through.
The song also appears in a reprise medley with "Underground
Underground (song)
"Underground" is a song from the soundtrack of the film Labyrinth, performed by David Bowie.- Details :The track was something of an experiment for Bowie, dabbling in gospel music to a small extent, helped by a large chorus of backing vocalists and blues guitarist Albert Collins, but retaining use...
" at the end of the film.
The single wasn't available in all markets around the world. The main single, only released on 12" was released in the US, Spanish and Italian markets, among others. The single was never released commercially in the UK until the digital download in early 2007.
12": EMI America / V-19217 (US)
- "Magic Dance" (A Dance Mix) – 7:06
- "Magic Dance" (Dub) – 5:22
- "Within You" – 3:28
Download: EMI / i19217 (US)
- "Magic Dance" (Single Version) – 4:00
- "Magic Dance" (12" Version) – 7:06
- "Magic Dance" (Dub) – 5:22
- "Magic Dance" (7" Version) – 4:39
- released in 2007
- the "7" Version" is an edit of the 12" version
- "12" Version" same as "A Dance Mix"