Dance in the Dark

Album: The Fame Monster (2009)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song about a girl in an abusive relationship features a "Vogue"-style rap breakdown in which Gaga references various females who met a tragic end: Marilyn Monroe, Judy Garland, Sylvia Plath, Princess Diana, and Jon-Benet Ramsey.
  • GaGa explained this song to The LA Times December 15, 2009: "The record is about a girl who likes to have sex with the lights off, because she's embarrassed about her body. She doesn't want her man to see her naked. She will be free, and she will let her inner animal out, but only when the lights are out. She doesn't feel free without the moon. These lyrics are a way for me to talk about how I believe women and some men feel innately insecure about themselves all the time. It's not sometimes, it's not in adolescence, it's always.

    Also, I'm working with Viva Glam on MAC AIDS Fund stuff and the more I learn about AIDS and HIV... most of the new infections are in women my age, and in women ages 53 to 64, older women who haven't had sex in a long time, and in a moment of passion are irresponsible and contract HIV, and women my age who think their boyfriend won't love them if they speak up. Condoms aren't female. They're making female condoms, but right now it's, "buy a Trojan" – it's for men. So everything's in a man's power, and women are taught to be receivers… It's just a very deluded way of looking at sex.

    I guess all of these new things entering my life are changing the way I view my purpose, but that song in particular is about me wanting to live -- but also, the song isn't called 'Dance in the Light.' I'm not a gospel singer trying to cross people over. What I'm saying is, 'I get it. I feel you, I feel the same way, and it's OK.'"
  • American poet Sylvia Plath, whom Gaga name checks, committed suicide in 1963 following a long struggle with depression and a marital separation from her fellow poet husband, Ted Hughes. Here are some songs inspired by the tragic wordsmith.
    Crackle And Drag by Paul Westerberg
    Mathematics by Little Boots
    Sylvia by Ralph McTell.

Comments: 4

  • Jon from Tucson, AzAmazing song true meaning and so deep and was an amazing opening song/performance at her Phoenix concert.
  • Serra from Santa Fe, NmThe synthesizer in this song remind me of Depeche Mode.
  • Jeff from Austin, TxThe best part of this video is when Courtney Cox gets pulled on stage and dances with Lady Gaga.
  • Ryan from London (y), United KingdomA BEAUTIFUL song!
    It's a sad tale of how a woman in an abusive relationship who pushes forward in the pursuit of happiness, Trying to get on with her life and to just be happy - So she has fun but when her boyfriend is not around (hence being in the dark).
    AMAZING. x
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Ramones

RamonesFact or Fiction

A band so baffling, even their names were contrived. Check your score in the Ramones version of Fact or Fiction.

Producer Ron Nevison

Producer Ron NevisonSong Writing

Ron Nevison explains in very clear terms the Quadrophenia concept and how Heart staged their resurgence after being dropped by their record company.

Spot The Real Red Hot Chili Peppers Song Titles

Spot The Real Red Hot Chili Peppers Song TitlesMusic Quiz

The Red Hot Chili Peppers have some rather unusual song titles - see if you can spot the real ones.

Wedding Bell Blues

Wedding Bell BluesSong Writing

When a song describes a wedding, it's rarely something to celebrate - with one big exception.

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"They're Playing My Song

As a songwriter and producer, Narada had hits with Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Starship. But what song does he feel had the greatest impact on his career?

Michael Sweet of Stryper

Michael Sweet of StryperSongwriter Interviews

Find out how God and glam metal go together from the Stryper frontman.