Dancing With Myself by Billy Idol

Album: Billy Idol (1981)

Charted: 102

License This Song

lyrics

artistfacts

Songfacts®:

This song is commonly thought to be about masturbation, but it's really more about dancing by yourself. Billy got the idea after watching Japanese kids at a Tokyo disco "dancing with themselves" in a nightclub. The kids would dance in a pogo style up and down, and there were mirrors in the club so they could watch themselves doing it.

Idol concedes, however, that there is "some sort of masturbatory element" to the song.
Idol originally released "Dancing With Myself" as a single in 1980 with his band Gen X (short for Generation X). It was issued only in their native UK, where it went to #62.

The band broke up early in 1981, so Idol used the song to launch his solo career.
The song's producer, Keith Forsey, remixed it, and when Idol landed a deal with Chrysalis Records, they issued it in America as a single, credited to "Billy Idol and Gen X." It didn't get much attention, but Idol's next single, a cover of "Mony Mony," got a smattering of airplay. His self-titled debut album was released in 1982 with "Hot In The City" as the lead single, which gave him his first solo hit thanks to airplay on MTV, which launched in August 1981.

"White Wedding" was the next single, and that one exploded on MTV. In 1983, Chrysalis gave "Dancing With Myself" another try. Idol made a video for the song and it was re-released as a single and added as a bonus track to the Billy Idol album. It finally cracked the chart (barely), coming in at #102 in October. Idol's next album, Rebel Yell, was released a short time later.

So "Dancing With Myself" was never a big hit for Idol, but it endured as one of his most popular songs, played at most of his concerts. It was never overplayed, so it had a long life on radio playlists as a recurrent, popping in as a familiar favorite with a bit of an edge.
This song is about more than just dancing. Idol told Rolling Stone: "The song really is about people being in a disenfranchised world where they're left bereft, dancing with their own reflections."
Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols played guitar on this track. He and Idol remained close friends.
This song was a big deal for Idol because it established him in America. When he left Generation X, he came to the States and tried to get his solo career off the ground. With no idea what to do and a bit of depression creeping in, he went to the New York nightclub Hurrah to drown his sorrows. As Idol tells it, he was in the bar area when suddenly a crowd migrated to the dance floor. The song that got them up and dancing was "Dancing With Myself," which he had recorded with Generation X.

He realized that this was the hot sound - one also being employed by Simple Minds and Depeche Mode - and that he should run with it. With this revelation, Idol was able to evolve his punk sound into a new wave/dance style that made him one of the biggest stars of the '80s.
The video was directed by Tobe Hooper, who directed the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre. >>
Suggestion credit:
Saint - New Orleans, LA
Idol wrote the song with Gen X bass player Tony James. They were at Tokyo at a disco, where everyone was all dressed up. "They weren't dancing with each other, they were dancing with their own reflections," Idol explained on social media. "I said to Tony James, 'they're dancing with myself.'"

Tony thought that could make a good title, so they worked on the lyrics that night. One day at the studio, Idol came up with the riff on guitar and they put the song together.
On Guitar Center Sessions, Idol explained: "With 'Dancing With Myself' I was trying to put back in punk energy, but streamline the music at the same time and make it great to dance to and slightly more sexual - some of the things that punk precluded because it was a sort of gang kind of music. I wanted to put a sexual feeling into it, and that's when I started doing with songs like 'Dancing With Myself.'"

Comments: 39

George Pope from Vancouver BcBe alone, or not, be yourself; you don't need to fit into what others say is "normal' to be accepted. Just BE YOURSELF, even if it means being BY YOURSELF. Enjoy life. Dance like nobody's watching or even with you. . .
Pur poetry thank you, billy, for another great song full of sincere feeling & personal experience!
Paul Blanchard"If this song doesn't play at my funeral then I'm not going." This will be a line in my soon to be released book "Where's Abbey."
Siahara Shyne Carter from United StatesBilly Sounds SO WASTED hahahaha I don't know what happened but Sounds like he is broken hearted Xd ....... This song meaning I knew it lol
Christopher from San Antonio TexasEye without a Face comment, Out of Hope, hopelessly addicted to Heroin
singer hunts for his next fix for himself and his love,
she calls him, while he's far out looking for their next Fix
he wakes up that the dream and believing is over
stealing, gambling, prostituting to get more dope
despise, mad, but realizing he must love real life
and get clean
in the end he realizes that this dream lover and addiction was a waste
such a human waste

a perfect example of this was
John Lennon who got hooked on heroin via Yoko
she was dead in her eyes addicted got John Lennon hooked too,
then he wanted to leave her but she had him knocked off
by a lunatic and yoko protests release of the hitman Chapman
who was also on heroin
William from Phoenix Az 85029For Heavens sake, William himself said the song had an "element" of masturbation about it. but it says a lot more than just that, doesn't it? geeez, if nothing else, what about the way the song crescendos at the end? explain that? that seemed kinda like a statement about Dancing with complete abandon, be it alone or with a partner. It's a great song, and should not be dissected to death. thanks for reading
Jim from Enid, OkHa! Man I'm so mad I even searched my deeply buried password list to log onto this superb site!! Grrr! The song is about a lonely guy who is unable to find a woman! Even Mr. Idol has a hard time finding a woman to relate to in a huge city. Tokyo and London for example. "But your empty eyes seem to pass me by...." How many of us have gone to places looking into a prospective mate's eyes and they don't even see us? 'Let's sink another drink...." Yep, he's bracing himself with a stiff one before he lights out into the street to go to clubs, bars and crowds to seek female companionship.
Questor from Citrusheights, CaThis song reminds me of something I've always hated hearing others say. They've got this gargantuous fear of being seen all by themselves, as if they're loners. So if there's a new movie they want to see or a restaurant they want to try, they won't go if their only choise is solo. What's the big deal?

I love those job interviews that ask A) Are you a team player? and then B) Are you wable to work independently? Yes, I'm able to work on a project by myself, see a movie by myself, enjoy a nice dinner by myself, and if necessary dancing by myself.

You can only be of service to others when you're good to yoursElf.
Kostas Korras from Las Vegas, NvI think this song could be about enjoying your own company first not caring what others think of you and letting the world joining your parade.I dont think its about masterbation.could be though.

"theres nothin to prove and theres nothin to lose cause Im dancin with myself"
Drew from B'ham, AlIf Billy Idol is what I think he is & no one tainted this song w/ the meaning that is masturbation, someone is bound to make a tainted recording now! Thanks a lot, some o' u commentators! Some people simply deserve a real whooping from their mothers! Sickoes!
Michael from San Diego, CaConcur with Chad & oldpink, I have been to other countries in which the walls in some nightclubs are mirrored and people seem to "dance with themselves"....
Oldpink from New Castle, InYeah, it's not the most lyrically deep song, and no, it is NOT about self gratification.
Sorry, Beavis.
Rocking song, definitely, and this one was a real crowd pleaser when I saw him do it live in 1982.
Billy puts on one killer show, I have to admit.
Chad from Superior, Wiin VH1 Story tellers Idol says he went on tour in Japan, While there he went to a dance club and the kids were dancing in mirrors around the room (dancing with myself). That prefectly explains the opening verse, you are a complete moron if you think it is about wacking off.
Mark from Byrdstown, TnLooks like most of the posters in here are 16 year old males....all they think about is whacking off....any song they hear will make them think of whacking off......great insights fellows.....NOT!Idol himself has said repeatedly that this song is NOT about whacking off.
Leila from Perth, Wa, Australiathis song is totally about masturbation.. i think billy was just trying to see how many idiots there were in the world when he said that it was about japanese kids dancing by themselves.

i can personaly vouch that it is also a great song to masturbate to...
Lester from New York City, NyIf I'm remembering correctly, when Billy Idol was on Late Night with David Letterman, Idol said the drug dealers in Greenwich Village were calling heroin 'White Wedding', cocaine 'Rebel Yell' and marijuana 'Dancing With Myself' in tribute to his songs, to which Dave replied, "Your mother must be so proud".
Danielle from Palm Coast, Fli think if i were to die tomorrow i would pick this song to play at my funeral. IT IS SO ME!
Rusty from Raleigh, NcI saw zombies in that music video. They were jumping off the roof top of a building.
Eb from Richmond Hill, GaYOU NEED TO WATCH THE VIDEO TO REALIZE THIS . . .

Yep, you got it, the song is about MASTURBATION.
Adam from Sydney, AustraliaS'cuse my typo...
Adam from Sydney, AustraliaAn innocent, 16 year female old contestant sang this on the Aussie version of Idol recently. That did make me giggle!
Michael from San Diego, CaI like The Donnas version of this song as well!
Joe from Bellingham, WaOnly Billy Idol could come up with lyrics that sound meaningful, but turn out to be about jacking off! hahah! you're still the king billy!
Marissa from Is This Optional?, Ohwell crud! I thought this song was about somebody who kinda couldn't get up the courage to ask a girl to dance so he just danced by himself (kinda like I do at dances.) This was in a cartoon movie by the way -- "Flushed Away" if you care to know, and if it's really about masturbation that's weird!!!
Joel from Columbia, ScYeah, it sounds like self abuse to me.
Tiffane from Kalispell, MtNot about masturbation. It could be, with the words "love vibration" in the song. - Tiffani, Kalispell, MT
AnonymousIts about youth culture not masturbation. It could be, with the lyrics "Well, I wait so long for my love vibration". I'm still debating over that.
Lalah from Wasilla, AkWCOZ and WBCN, two Boston-based radio stations, would battle with each other to play this song back in 1980. I could have sworn, though, this got airtime before 1980. When I moved across the country in 1983, the west coast called it "new" from Billy Idol.
Sean from Brockton, MaGotta love the postapocalyptic themed-video- similar to The Police in the "Synchronicity II" video. In fact, Billy Idol reminded me a lot of Sting in his early days (well, not the voice...)
Jonathon from Clermont, FlThey really need to put more of his songs up on this site. There's three right now, and they missed my all-time favorite, "Catch My Fall"...Either way, this is still one of his best songs, no matter what it was about.
Sasha from Houston, TxI'm with Alex and the Japanese dance clubs - I've read that meaning before in an Idol interview. While I see the self-love connotations, it's not all about that. ;)
Jer from London, Canadai love this song for its meaning and its tune. GO SELF LOVE!!
Mike from Winnipeg, Canada"holy moly! now i'm embarressed of all the times i walked down the street singing this song, and i never had any clue that this song was about beatin' the meat! sheesh. oi. "

I fell the same way. But still a great song. Oh well if the meaning is about masturbation. Same with Turning Japenese but if people think I masturbate alot because I like this song screw them.
Benjamin from Heidelberg, GermanyBilly Idol definitely rocks!
Matt from Pawtucket, RiA few weeks ago i was at a baseball game and this song started playing over the speakers! I found it really funny in some way or another.
Randy from Cabimas, South America"When there's no-one else in sight
In the crowded lonely night
Well I wait so long
For my love vibration
And I'm dancing with myself"

definetely an M... song. any normal teenage boy could figured that one out.
Anastasia from Anaheim, Caholy moly! now i'm embarressed of all the times i walked down the street singing this song, and i never had any clue that this song was about beatin' the meat! sheesh. oi.
Dee from Indianapolis, InLove this song, not for it's meaning but it's an all aroung great tune that is one for the ages.
Alex from New Orleans, LaI think Idol himself said it was about dance clubs in Japan that had mirror reflections as partners,hence dehumanization.
Joel from Panama City, FlBlink 182 covered this song very well

see more comments

More Songfacts:

How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By YouMarvin Gaye

"How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You" by Marvin Gaye was inspired by Jackie Gleason's saying, "How Sweet It Is!"

The OneMemphis Bleek

Rapper Memphis Bleek's 2005 album track "The One" is notable for featuring a then-unknown Rihanna on the hook. It was the Barbadian singer's first-ever major-label appearance.

I'll WaitVan Halen

Michael McDonald co-wrote the Van Halen song "I'll Wait."

I Can See Clearly NowJohnny Nash

"I Can See Clearly Now" by Johnny Nash was the first reggae song to hit #1 in America on the Hot 100.

Gonna Get Over YouSara Bareilles

Jonah Hill directed the video for Sara Bareilles' song "Gonna Get Over You." It's a mash-up of Grease and West Side Story.

Rock of AgesDef Leppard

The "Gunter Glieben Glauten Globen" intro in Def Leppard's "Rock Of Ages" is something their producer Mutt Lange came up with when he got tired of counting them "1, 2, 3, 4..."