On Episode 118 of the Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast, Eloy Lasanta & I take a deeper dive into the often-ignored Lovesexy song, “Dance On.” Take a little bit of “1999” partying in the face of nuclear annihilation, add some “Sign o’ the Times” ripped from the headlines social topics, and add a dash of “Sexuality” look towards future generations for new ideas. The result of that concoction is this erratic but deeper than appearances project album track.
“They all know the words, but the music is doomed”
“Dance On” is one of those songs that, on the surface, it seems like it’s not that deep. Hey, there’s a lot of shit happening in our society, domestic (gang violence, poverty) and abroad (nuclear strikes, missile launchers), but if you choose to dance on, dance on, it will all be ok. Well, I don’t think it’s that simple. Prince may have been considering dancing to be an act of compliance, an act of defiance, or even an act of faith. Depending on your interpretation, any of them work. What we can discern is that the song gives us a bit of respite and opportunity to catch our breath between “Anna Stesia” and “Lovesexy.” The music keeps the listener on their toes, as do the lyrics with violent imagery and calls for new ways of thinking. It’s a song that doesn’t always get the attention it deserves when surrounded by such brilliance.
The goal of each episode of Press Rewind is to:
- Take a track by track look at the lyrical content of Prince’s discography
- Discuss my own interpretation of each song’s lyrics along with any guest I may have
- If submitted, discuss listener’s interpretations of each song’s lyrics
Thank you for joining me on this journey through Prince’s catalog!
