"D.A.N.C.E." is the second single by Justice and the first from their album †. It includes an edit and extended versions of "D.A.N.C.E", a rougher mix in the style of their earlier releases, "B.E.A.T", and the track "Phantom" which was previously issued in limited quantities twice on 12" vinyl preceding the release of "D.A.N.C.E.". The song was covered along with Junior Senior's "Move Your Feet" and The Brady Bunch's "It's a Sunshine Day" in the 2016 animated filmTrolls. In 2010, the song was included in the popular dancing game, Wii's Just Dance 2.
Music and lyrics
According to the duo, they were huge Michael Jackson fans and therefore decided to dedicate this song to him. The song recites numerous Michael Jackson songs including "P.Y.T. ", "Black or White", "Workin' Day and Night" and "Whatever Happens" along with the Jackson 5 song "ABC" and Michael Jackson's album Music and Me. The intro of the song contains a sample of the outro of Britney Spears's "Me Against the Music". Vocals are provided by the London-based Foundation for Young Musicians choir. Swizz Beatz sampled the song for "On to the Next One", from Jay-Z'sThe Blueprint 3 album. The radio tuning sound near the beginning of the song is from Simon Harris's album Fx & Scratches . Justice also use a GarageBand sample, "Radio Tuning 01". The song was number 4 on Rolling Stones list ofthe 100 Best Songs of 2007.
Music video
The music video for "D.A.N.C.E." was shot by French directorial duo Jonas & François, with animation by French animator So Me. The video was nominated for the 2007 MTV Video Music Award "Video of the Year", while winning the award at the MTV Europe Music Awards. The music video is shot in the style of pop art. In the video, Augé and de Rosnay walk, and the images of their t-shirts constantly change and morph. It includes a reference to the song "Video Killed the Radio Star" by The Buggles when the word "Radio" was replaced with "Internet" in one part of the video. Another T-shirt references co-writer Jessie Chaton with the name "JESSIE" above a picture of a kitten. His surname "Chaton" is French for "kitten".
Unofficial remixes
There was much hype prior to the single's release, and in the weeks leading up to its official release, many unofficial remixes of the song began to appear on the Internet. Canadian electronic duo MSTRKRFT released an official version, being the only group to receive instrumentals and vocals separately. One remix was made by Washington, D.C. rapper Wale entitled "W.A.L.E.D.A.N.C.E."; the Chicago Reader picked it as a staff favourite from 2007 and called the remix "positively epic". Wale and Ronson performed the song at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards, and Wale later appeared on the cover of URB magazine with Justice. The song was also covered by British musician Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly and British band Trash Fashion. A remix with American rappers Mos Def and Spank Rock was recorded and put to download as "Promo Only". There was also a white-label remix that combined "D.A.N.C.E." with Jennifer Lopez's single "Do It Well" named "Do It W.E.L.L.".
