Van Halen

Released: April 14, 1982

Songwriter: William “Mickey” Stevenson Ivy Jo Hunter Marvin Gaye

Producer: Ted Templeman

Ah yeah!
Calling out around the world
Are you ready for a brand new beat
Summer's here and the time is right
For dancing in the street

They're dancing in Chicago (They'll be dancing)
Down in New Orleans (Dancing in the streets)
Up in New York City (Dancing in the streets)

All we need is music (sweet sweet)
Sweet music (sweet sweet music)
There'll be music everywhere
There'll be swinging, swaying, records playing
Dancing in the streets, Oh!

It doesn't matter what you wear
Just as long as you are there, so come on
Grab a guy, grab a girl, everywhere around the world

There'll be dancing, dancing in the streets
(Oh) It's just an invitation, across the nation
A chance for the folks to meet
There'll be laughing and singing, music swinging
Dancing in the streets

Philadelphia, PA (Dancin' in the street)
Baltimore, in D.C. now (Dancin' in the streets)
Can't forget the Motor City (Dancin' in the streets)

All we need is music (sweet sweet)
Sweet music (sweet sweet music)
There'll be music everywhere
There'll be swinging, swaying, records playing
Dancing in the streets, Oh!

It doesn't matter what you wear
Just as long as you are there, so come on
Grab a guy, grab a girl, everywhere around the world

Wow!
Hey hey hey!
Ow yeah, ow!
(Guitar Solo)
Dancin', they're dancin' in the street
(Dancin' in the streets)

Way down in L.A. everyday
(Dancin' in the streets)
Dancin' in the street
(Dancin' in the streets)

San Francisco Bay (Ooh-ooh-ooh)
(Dancin' in the streets)
They do it everyday now
(Dancin' in the streets)
Across the ocean blue (Ooh-ooh-ooh) me an' you
(Dancin' in the streets)
Dancin' in the street
(Dancin' in the streets)

Van Halen is one of the most iconic American rock bands of all time. Formed in Pasadena, California in 1972, the group’s primary line-up consisted of Eddie Van Halen on guitar, Alex Van Halen on drums, David Lee Roth providing lead vocals, and Michael Anthony providing bass duties and significant harmonies.

Their first six albums, recorded and released between 1977–1984, are considered to be classics and pioneering efforts in the field of hard rock. Eddie Van Halen’s groundbreaking guitar sound and techniques completely changed the landscape of music and radio culture in the 1980s. His and brother Alex’s virtuosity, along with David Lee Roth’s charisma and bassist Michael Anthony’s foundational contributions garnered the band early comparisons to their predecessors—Led Zeppelin—a group who had a profound influence on them. Though, even more so than Jimmy Page, Eddie cites Eric Clapton as having the biggest impact on his playing.

In 1977, after recording a demo with Gene Simmons (who wanted the band to change their name to “Daddy Longlegs”) they were introduced to KISS‘ management, who told Simmons they wouldn’t sign them

more tracks from the album

Diver Down

From the albums

Diver Down (1982)
The Best of Both Worlds (2004)

Van Halen popular songs

Dancing in the StreetVan Halen

Van Halen

Diver Down