Jan 27

Jan 27 Dancing in the moonlight, by Toploader

Alternate Reality and Late Night Lock Ins

This song was written in 1969 by Sherman Kelly and first achieved chart success in 1972 with the band King Harvest. There have been a few covers since and the one I know and like best is by Toploader from 1999. (The more recent remix cover by Swedish duo, Jubel, is also really good). Kelly said that in writing the song he “envisioned an alternate reality, the dream of a peaceful and joyful celebration of life.” And when I chose this song for my friend, he said it reminded him of late night lock-ins at their local pub, where it was their end of a good night song. For me this is evidence enough that its creator achieved what he intended!

How do they do that?

So what is it about the song that it gives it an alternate reality and joyful vibe?

We are immediately transported by the high pitched “twinkly” organ. The high register, the electronic, slightly music box, sound gives a sense of both nighttime light and the fantasy of dreams. In fact, in the Toploader version we start with three keyboard sounds - long slow chords giving the structure, the twinkly organ and a more traditional piano sound adding further to the rhythm and movement of the opening bars. This short intro becomes the recurring theme and gives the song its distinctive character. Once you know it, you could probably name the song after hearing just three notes (or perhaps even fewer)! The high pitched electronic keyboard motif featured in the original King Harvest version too, with which the songwriter was involved, so I think we can safely conclude that this was part of his envisioning of alternate reality in sound.

There is also a laid-back lilt to the rhythm of this music, with its gentle syncopation (playing the notes off the strong beats and emphasising what would usually be the weaker ones), being ever so slightly reminiscent of a calypso style. Perhaps it is this that lends a sense of relaxation (or peacefulness)?

Finally to the “joyful celebration of life.” Listen to the bass line; it’s one of the most joyful dancing basses you will come across. Add to that a really easy-to-sing tune that uses three notes that sit next to one another (so comfortably within anyone’s range or singing ability), plus some hand claps and you have a song that can’t help but encourage audience participation. And when everyone is singing and clapping along, the joy in the room becomes exponential!

Hope you enjoy it or feel inspired to listen to something new today.

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