Music Analysis #2 - "Dance Dance"

 

    When I was around 14 or 15, I heard a song on MTV called "Dance Dance" for the first time and little did I know that it was going to change my life. Later that day, when it was my turn to get on the computer, the first thing I did was google that song I heard earlier so I could find out who the band was and download their music IMMEDIATELY. I had an iPod at the time, and once I found out who Fall out Boy was, I went straight to Apple Music and download their first album "Take this to your Grave" and their second album "From Under the Cork Tree", which is the album with "Dance Dance" on it, and is in my top 10 favorite albums of all time. 

Lyrics

    Written in the US in 2005 by the groups band members Pete Wentz, Patrick Stump, Andy Hurley, and Joe Trohman, "Dance Dance" was inspired by their various experiences with love and heart break. 

[Bridge] Dance, dance

"We're falling apart to half time

Dance, dance

And these are the lives you love to lead

Dance, this is the way they'd love

If they knew how misery loved me"

    According to Beat Crave this part of the song suggests that while the relationship might be in a negative space there is still time to save it, but for now let's forget about the troubles and dance like they don't exist (Allison The meaning behind the song: Dance - dance by fall out boy).

Tempo

    Now, don't let the topic of the song defer you, because "Dance Dance" is just that, a song that makes you want to dance. It shows the quirkiness of the bands personality and is just overall a fun song. The energy around this song is one that cannot be ignored and makes me get out of my seat every time I hear it. It is an upbeat song with a tempo of 114 BPM, making it perfect those days you need some movement and a little pick me up. 

Beat

     If the beat to a song is essentially the pulse, which gives it life, then the intro to "Dance Dance" does just that. The intro starts with a strong and, for those that love the song, a very recognizable drumbeat, that pulls me in and makes me bob my head as if I was a character from "Night at the Roxbury".

Duration 

    This song is on its own is 3:00 minutes long, but with the music video it is 4:38 long, and I'm literally dancing from start to finish.

Melody

    Patrick Stump, who is the lead vocalist for Fall out Boy, starts the song with a calm melody over the intense beat happening in the into. During the course of the song, the melody intensifies during the bridge and chorus and continues to fluctuate throughout the song. 

Here's a link to check out the chords and melody for "Dance Dance"

Work Cited

Allison, Stan. “The Meaning behind the Song: Dance - Dance by Fall out Boy.” Beat Crave, 2 May 2024, beatcrave.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-dance-dance-by-fall-out-boy/. 

“BPM and Key for Dance, Dance by Fall out Boy: Tempo for Dance, Dance.” SongBPM, songbpm.com/@fall-out-boy/dance-dance#:~:text=Dance%2C%20Dance%20is%20a%20song%20by%20Fall,Out%20Boy%20with%20a%20tempo%20of%20114%20BPM. Accessed 4 Oct. 2024.

“Dance Dance by Fall out Boy Chords and Melody.” Hooktheory, www.hooktheory.com/theorytab/view/fall-out-boy/dance-dance. Accessed 4 Oct. 2024.