Dance with Me (Orleans song)


"Dance with Me" is a 1975 hit single by American soft rock band Orleans from their second studio album, Orleans II.
Featuring a melodica solo by Larry Hoppen, "Dance With Me" was introduced on the band's third studio album Let There Be Music and was issued as that album's second single July 19, 1975 to become Orleans' first Top 40 single, reaching a Billboard Hot 100 peak of #6 that October.

Composition

The song was written by group member John Hall and journalist-turned-lyricist Johanna Hall. According to Johanna Hall, John Hall wrote the melody first; Johanna suggested "Dance with Me" as the title after she first heard it, but John rejected the idea as too simple. The couple were out driving one day when Johanna, struck by inspiration, blurted out the lyrics: "Pick the beat up and kick your feet up", and John was won over to the idea of her writing the song's lyric for the title "Dance With Me".

Reception

Billboard described "Dance with Me" as having a "sweet summer sound" resulting from "soft vocal harmonies" and the acoustic instrumentation. Billboard also described the hook as being "infectious."

Chart performance

Weekly singles charts

Year-end charts

Other covers

"Dance With Me" served for the title of a musical revue of compositions by John and Johanna Hall which was mounted by the Playwrights Theatre of New Jersey at its Madison venue from 1–17 December 2000.
In 2017, the song serves as the background music for a Xeljanz XR commercial.