Ballroom Dancing

Album: Tug Of War (1982)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • American fans didn't get it, but British fans loved this song because it was a satirical send-up of the ballroom dancing craze in England in the early 1980s. The biggest hits on British television at the time were ballroom dancing competitions ("seen it on TV"). >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Ken - Louisville, KY

Comments: 12

  • Dipsy from HamburgPaul plays on the LP; JPJ plays in the movie.
  • Sam from New YorkJohn Paul Jones is credited in the movie "Give My Regards to Broad Street." I didn't see it, but maybe he played bass in the "Ballroom Dancing" scene?
  • Lars from Gävle, SwedenJim, ny, NY :...No John Paul Jones from Led Zeppelin did not play bass on Ballroom Dancing, Paul McCartney did that himself.
  • Jim from Ny, NyJohn Paul Jones from Led Zeppelin plays bass on the song.
  • Cyndi from San Luis, MexicoThis song first appeared in the 1982 album "Tug of War".
  • Julia from Richland, WaI absolutely LOVE this song!!! It just goes to show that Macca can be extremely funny when he wants to be. Man, I wish that I had that kind of ability. Usually my really funny jokes and quips come out when I'm either really bored or really tired...
  • Harold from San Bernadino, CaI LOVE this freakin' song!!!! MAC's the best!
  • Ken from Louisville, KyIn Broad Street, Paul, Linda and the band performed this song LIVE during the filming. In movie musicals, "production numbers", with singing and dancing, had pre-recorded music and vocals. In an interview, George Martin - who had done several film soundtracks in his career - said he tried to talk Paul out of this, but Paul insisted. Martin later said thet he was amazed that they found ways to make this work.
  • Christy from Palm Springs, Cahahaha now I get it about the Ballroom dancing being on tv. At first I was like "what's he talking about" but I guess it's a british thing. We americans are so un-cultured. I LOVE THIS SONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Cute video too. The guy is absolutely crazy but we all love him!!!!!!!!
  • Ken from Louisville, KyPink Floyd's Dave Gilmour played the guitar solo on the re-make of this for "Give My Regards To Broad Street".
  • Joey from Nowhere Land, Caooh, I LOVE this song!! I loved the video for it in Give my Regards to Broad Street. It was like one of the greatest things i've ever seen/heard!!
  • Bob from Liverpool, EnglandI am sure I read somewhere it was a nostalgia trip for Paul, as the Beatles played a lot of Ballrooms in their early years (Pre & post Hamburg) quite a lot of them being in Liverpool UK, i.e. Litherland Town Hall, Aintree Institute, the list is endless.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Meshell Ndegeocello

Meshell NdegeocelloSongwriter Interviews

Meshell Ndegeocello talks about recording "Wild Night" with John Mellencamp, and explains why she shied away from the spotlight.

Elton John

Elton JohnFact or Fiction

Does he have beef with Gaga? Is he Sean Lennon's godfather? See if you can tell fact from fiction in the Elton John edition.

Joe Ely

Joe ElySongwriter Interviews

The renown Texas songwriter has been at it for 40 years, with tales to tell about The Flatlanders and The Clash - that's Joe's Tex-Mex on "Should I Stay or Should I Go?"

Laura Nyro

Laura NyroSongwriting Legends

Laura Nyro talks about her complex, emotionally rich songwriting and how she supports women's culture through her art.

Classic Metal

Classic MetalFact or Fiction

Ozzy, Guns N' Roses, Judas Priest and even Michael Bolton show up in this Classic Metal quiz.

Ian Astbury of The Cult

Ian Astbury of The CultSongwriter Interviews

The Cult frontman tells who the "Fire Woman" is, and talks about performing with the new version of The Doors.