The power of a good song can be be awesomely shown in the many lives, iterations and forms it takes on. “Dancing On My Own” is one such song. Although released back in 2010 by Swedish pop/R&B/EDM songstress Robyn in its original electro-disco-pop incarnation (more on that later), the song took front and center in 2017 as British singer Calum Scott emotionally performed it on the semi-finals of ABC’s Dancing with Stars as a ballad.
“Dancing On My Own” was originally written/produced by Robyn and fellow Swede Patrik Berger, a Grammy-nominated composer, producer and musician. Scott really broke out on U.K. hit Britain’s Got Talent TV show when he performed “Dancing On My Own” there and didn't waste any time subsequently releasing it independently as a commercial single. Scott's version takes the original dance music anthem in a beautiful power pop ballad direction and reached number two on the UK Singles Chart plus was certified platinum in the UK with over 600,000 copies sold and became the most downloaded song in the summer in the UK during the year of its release.
As the protagonist of “Dancing On My Own," Scott notably opted not to change the gender of the song’s female competitor - which adds a whole new meaning to the song as he belts out, “I'm in the corner, watching you kiss her, oh oh oh...I'm right over here, why can't you see me.” It's almost a Janet Jackson moment similar in fashion to when she did her 1997 R&B cover Rod Stewart's 1976 soft rock classic “Tonight's The Night” and boldly kept the love interest female.
Appropriately enough, Scott’s “Dancing On My Own” gets the EDM remix treatment. From the light epic trance feel of Dutch DJ/producer Tiesto to the 90s house sound from British DJ/producer Ben Dooks to the upfront pop-EDM pep provided by Danish EDM producer Toby Green, the track is showcased across the wondrous wide-ranging spectrum of today's dance music realm with more fantastic re-imaginations. And alas, “Dancing On My Own” indeed comes full circle.
