The Dancer

Album: Silverbird (1973)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In an interview with Melody Maker in January 1974 called "Ha! Ha! Said The Clown" in imitation of the Manfred Mann song, Leo Sayer told Jeff Ward that this song is about a father-figure trying to help someone who has lost his (or her) way. It's based on someone he knew slightly or knew of. "I heard she committed suicide while she was working in the south of France" he said. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander - London, England
  • Sayer wrote this song with David Courtney and recorded it for his first solo album, Silverbird, at Roger Daltrey's studio in Sussex, England. Daltrey was so impressed with Sayer and Courtney that he had them write songs for this first solo album, Daltrey, including the hit "Giving It All Away."

Comments: 2

  • Mark from Brighton, United KingdomOr perhaps Leo is a complete bulls--tter but thats what he said and I kind of believe him - he said the girls parents broke the news to him so maybe he didn'rt want to say too much about the real version back when it was such a fresh thing (maybe protecting her family's feelings?)
  • Mark from Brighton, United KingdomErm...he knew the girl who broke her neck when she fell from a cage at a Go Go club in Paris. She was a ballet dancer and Leo was indeed under her spell. How do I know this? I asked Leo today when he visited Brighton (and his co-writer David Courtney who is a friend of mine). The Dancer has always been one of my favourite songs, ever.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Mark Arm of Mudhoney

Mark Arm of MudhoneySongwriter Interviews

When he was asked to write a song for the Singles soundtrack, Mark thought the Seattle grunge scene was already overblown, so that's what he wrote about.

Kim Thayil of Soundgarden

Kim Thayil of SoundgardenSongwriter Interviews

Their frontman (Chris Cornell) started out as their drummer, so Soundgarden takes a linear approach when it comes to songwriting. Kim explains how they do it.

Loreena McKennitt

Loreena McKennittSongwriter Interviews

The Celtic music maker Loreena McKennitt on finding musical inspiration, the "New Age" label, and working on the movie Tinker Bell.

Stephen Christian of Anberlin

Stephen Christian of AnberlinSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer/lyricist for Anberlin breaks down "Impossible" and covers some tracks from their 2012 album Vital.

The Police

The PoliceFact or Fiction

Do their first three albums have French titles? Is "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" really meaningless? See if you can tell in this Fact or Fiction.

Have Mercy! It's Wolfman Jack

Have Mercy! It's Wolfman JackSong Writing

The story of the legendary lupine DJ through the songs he inspired.