This tropical house song is a collaboration between Kygo and the American band DNCE. Over a breezy Kygo melody, lead singer Joe Jonas sings of his joy when he's dancing with his actress wife, Sophie Turner.
Spin you around like chandelier
Head over heels like tears for fears
Your love, no, I can't get enough, uh
Losin' my cool, but I'm stayin' alive
In the chorus, Jonas turns melancholy thinking about how he misses Sophie when she's away filming.
'Cause these dancin' feet don't cry to the rhythm, they cry for you
And every Saturday night that you ain't here, my tears are blue
And these blindin' lights, they shine so bright like we're on the moon
But I don't wanna dance another beat, no, unless it's with you
The song served as DNCE's first single since their 2018 EP People to People. During their hiatus, the world faced challenging times because of COVID, and Jonas hoped this upbeat bop will help. "I think what DNCE always did so well was bring joy to people, which is what I wanted to do with this new batch of music," said the singer. "Obviously it's still very tricky times, but it reminds us all of being able to go out there and dance and enjoy life."
"Dancing Feet" originated in 2021 on the set of the war drama movie Devotion. Jonas, who plays the character Marty Goode, had plenty of days off, which he wanted to use productively. He started working on songs, some of which sounded like they could be DNCE tracks. This got him thinking about getting the band back together.
The idea transitioned into a full-fledged plan with DNCE planning new material for Spring 2022. It was at that point that Kygo hit him up, telling him, "I got this song. Can I send it your way? I wanna get your thoughts."
When Jonas listened to it, he realized Kygo's tune was in line with what he'd been making for DNCE.
Kygo and DNCE performed "Dancing Feet" for the first time during the Norwegian DJ's performance at the Sports Illustrated The Party x Palm Tree Crew in Century Park for the Super Bowl LVI weekend show on February 12, 2022. Kygo released the song a fortnight later on February 25, 2022.
The song is DNCE's first release as a trio. Bassist/keyboardist Cole Whittle did not return to the band when they reunited in 2022 because he wanted to focus on his solo career.
Kygo co-produced the song with David Stewart of the London DJ/production group Mad Teeth. Stewart's other credits include Jonas Brothers' "
What A Man Gotta Do," Hailee Steinfeld's "
I Love You's" and BTS' "
Dynamite."
Shot in Miami, the '70s-inspired video sees Kygo and the three DNCE members portraying the hotel staff at The Palm Tree Resort. After a hard day's work, they shed their work uniforms and sneak into an exclusive club where Joe Jonas and Kygo do battle on the light-up floor.
Kygo's tour photographer Johannes Lovund directed the video. The Norwegian DJ premiered it on February 28, 2022, coinciding with the three-year anniversary of the reunion of Joe Jonas' other band, the Jonas Brothers.