Dancing with a Stranger

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the song by Sam Smith and Normani. For the song by Cyndi Lauper, see A Night to Remember (Cyndi Lauper album).

"Dancing with a Stranger"
Dancing with a Stranger (official single cover).png
Single by Sam Smith and Normani
from the album Love Goes
ReleasedJanuary 11, 2019 (2019-01-11)
Genre
Length2:50
LabelCapitol
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Sam Smith singles chronology
"Fire on Fire"
(2018) 		"Dancing with a Stranger"
(2019) 		"How Do You Sleep?"
(2019)
Normani singles chronology
"Waves"
(2018) 		"Dancing with a Stranger"
(2019) 		"Motivation"
(2019)
Music video
"Dancing with a Stranger" on YouTube

"Dancing with a Stranger" is a song by British singer Sam Smith and American singer Normani. It was written by Smith, Normani, Jimmy Napes, Mikkel S. Eriksen, Tor Hermansen, and produced by Stargate and Napes. "Dancing with a Stranger" was released as a single by Capitol Records on 11 January 2019. It appears on Smith's third studio album Love Goes (2020).[1]

The track became a commercial success, reaching number one in Mexico, Iceland, and Lebanon, number three in the United Kingdom, number seven in the United States, and the top ten in twenty-one additional countries. The single is certified 4x Platinum in the US, and is certified Platinum or higher in ten additional countries. "Dancing with a Stranger" was the most-played radio track of 2019, according to Forbes.[2] As of March 2021, the single is the 27th most streamed song by a female artist(Normani) in the UK.[3] The track won the Song of the Year award at the 2020 BMI London Awards, and was nominated for Song of 2019 at the People's Choice Awards, and Song of the Year at the 2020 Brit Awards.

Background and composition[]

According to Billboard, the collaboration happened through a chance encounter at a recording studio in Los Angeles. When Smith was writing a track with their frequent collaborator Jimmy Napes and Norwegian producers Stargate, Normani happened to be in the studio next door. After talking, the two decided to work together.[4]

Musically, "Dancing with a Stranger" is a disco-R&B[5] and pop[4] duet that contains 1980s-inspired R&B production.[6] The song was written by Smith, Normani, Napes and Stargate. The latter two also handled production for the track alongside Danny D and Tim Blacksmith. Journalist Monica Mercuri of Forbes described the single as "sultry" and showing off the singer's "powerful" vocals.[7] David Renshaw, writing for The Fader, called the song a "veer away from [Smith's] gentle soul sound".[8] Lyrically, the song is about coping with loneliness and moving past a lost love.[7]

Critical reception[]

Brittany Spanos, writing for Rolling Stone, stated the song "plays to [Smith's] retro-leaning strengths and Normani's own solo vision of being a Sexy soul-dance diva". She concluded her review by calling the song "simple and fun".[5] Rose Dommu of Out praised the duo's vocals, calling Normani's "sultry voice is the perfect counterpoint to Smith’s own deep tone".[9] Mike Nied of Idolator wrote that the song "expertly capture the frustration and loneliness of heartbreak, bottling it and presenting it as something both deeply personal and infinitely relatable".[10] Billboard magazine called the song a "sexy earworm",[11] lauding the pair's "standout vocal delivery", with Smith's "seductive falsetto accompanied by Normani's smoky counterpart".[11]

Associated Press ranked it as the 2nd Best Song of 2019.[12] Billboard ranked it 38th on their Best Songs of 2019 list.[11] The song received praise from actress Reese Witherspoon who dubbed it the “Song of the Summer”.[13]

Commercial performance[]

In the United Kingdom, "Dancing with a Stranger" peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart in January 2019, becoming Smith's eleventh and Normani's first top ten single in the UK.[14] It was certified Platinum by the British Phonographic Industry.[15] In the United States, the song peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 in April 2019, making it Smith's sixth and Normani's second top ten single in the US.[16] In May 2019, "Dancing with a Stranger" topped the US Radio Songs chart, becoming Smith's second and Normani's first chart topper there.[17] It also topped the US Adult Top 40 and reached number two on the Mainstream Top 40 chart, behind "Sucker" by the Jonas Brothers.[17][18] In other countries, "Dancing with a Stranger" peaked inside top ten in Belgium, Denmark, Ireland, Australia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Canada, South Africa, Singapore, Malaysia, Iceland, Lebanon and Sweden.[19][20] It was also certified 4× Platinum in Australia and Canada, Platinum in New Zealand, and Gold in few other European countries.[21][22][23] "Dancing with a Stranger" was the most played song on radio in 2019, according to Forbes.[24] The song was also the 4th most played song on radio in 2019 in the US, receiving over 3.134 billion audience impressions, according to Billboard.[25] The music video for "Dancing with a Stranger" was the most viewed video in the United Kingdom on Vevo in 2019,[26] and was the second most viewed video in the United Kingdom on YouTube of 2019.[27]

As of April 2020, the song has surpassed over two billion streams and has sold over ten million units worldwide according to Capitol Records.[28]

Cover versions[]

5 Seconds of Summer performed a cover of the song for BBC Radio 1 live lounge.[29] The band's cover won an IHeartRadio Music Award for Best Cover Song.[30][31]

Awards and nominations[]

Year Award Category Result
2019 Teen Choice Awards Choice Pop Song Nominated
Choice Collaboration Song Nominated
2019 People's Choice Awards Music Video of 2019 Nominated
Song of 2019 Nominated
2019

[32]

MTV Play Awards Winning Videos Won
2020

[33]

Global Awards Best Song of 2019 Nominated
2020

[34][35]

IHeartRadio Music Awards Best Collaboration Nominated
Best Music Video Nominated
Titanium Award Won
2020

[36]

Brit Awards Brit Award for Song of the Year Nominated
2020

[37]

Queerty Awards Anthem Nominated
2020

[38]

ASCAP Award Award Winning Songs Won
2020

[39]

BMI Awards Award Winning Songs Won
2020

[40]

BMI London Awards Song of the Year Won
Pop Award Songs
2020

[41]

Ivor Novello Awards PRS for Music Most Performed Work Nominated

Music video[]

The music video was released on 29 January 2019.[42] The video was directed by Vaughan Arnell, and was shot in London. It features Smith and Normani moving and dancing through a "sleek, stark home"[43] while being surrounded by hologram projections of dancers.

Formats and track listings[]

  • Digital download[44]
  1. "Dancing with a Stranger" – 2:51
  • Digital download (Acoustic)[45]
  1. "Dancing with a Stranger" (Acoustic) – 3:07
  • Digital download (Cheat Codes Remix)[46]
  1. "Dancing with a Stranger" (Cheat Codes Remix) – 2:39
  1. "Dancing with a Stranger" – 2:51
  2. "Dancing with a Stranger" (Instrumental) – 2:51

Credits and personnel[]

Credits adapted from Tidal.[48]

  • Sam Smith – vocals, songwriting
  • Normani Kordei Hamilton – vocals, songwriting
  • Jimmy Napes – songwriting, production
  • Stargate – songwriting, production, music production
  • Randy Merrill – master engineering, studio personnel
  • Kevin "KD" Davis – mixing, studio personnel

Charts[]

Certifications[]

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[21] 5× Platinum 350,000double-dagger
Austria (IFPI Austria)[134] Gold 15,000double-dagger
Belgium (BEA)[135] Platinum 40,000double-dagger
Canada (Music Canada)[22] 4× Platinum 320,000double-dagger
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[136] Platinum 90,000^
France (SNEP)[137] Platinum 200,000double-dagger
Germany (BVMI)[138] Gold 200,000double-dagger
Italy (FIMI)[139] Gold 25,000double-dagger
Mexico (AMPROFON)[140] 4× Platinum 240,000double-dagger
New Zealand (RMNZ)[23] Platinum 30,000double-dagger
Poland (ZPAV)[141] 2× Platinum 40,000double-dagger
Portugal (AFP)[142] Platinum 10,000double-dagger
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[143] Gold 20,000double-dagger
United Kingdom (BPI)[15] 2× Platinum 1,200,000double-dagger
United States (RIAA)[144] 4× Platinum 4,000,000double-dagger

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
double-dagger Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history[]

Region Date Format Version Label Ref.
Various 11 January 2019
Original Capitol [44]
Italy Contemporary hit radio Sony [145]
United Kingdom 12 January 2019 Capitol [146]
United States 14 January 2019 Hot adult contemporary [147]
15 January 2019 Contemporary hit radio [148]
Various 15 February 2019
  • Digital download
  • streaming
 Acoustic [45]
8 March 2019 Cheat Codes Remix [46]
12" Original + Instrumental [47]

References[]

  1. ^ Dinges, Gary (17 April 2020). "Sam Smith, Demi Lovato go glam as they sing about love struggles in new single, 'I'm Ready'". USA Today. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  2. ^ Greenburg, Zack O'Malley. "Lil Nas X, Normani, Maluma And The 30 Under 30 Music Class Of 2020". Forbes. Archived from the original on 3 December 2019. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  3. ^ "The UK's Official Top 40 most-streamed songs by female artists". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 8 March 2021.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b "Sam Smith and Normani's Collab 'Dancing With A Stranger' Is Here: Stream It Now". Billboard. 11 January 2019. Archived from the original on 17 January 2019. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b Spanos, Brittany (16 January 2019). "Song You Need to Know: Sam Smith and Normani, 'Dancing With a Stranger'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 21 January 2019. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  6. ^ "New Music: Sam Smith & Normani – 'Dancing With a Stranger'". Rap-Up. Archived from the original on 21 January 2019. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b Mercuri, Monica. "Sam Smith And Normani Deliver Passionate Duet 'Dancing With A Stranger'". Forbes. Archived from the original on 21 January 2019. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  8. ^ Renshaw, David. "Normani teams with Sam Smith on "Dancing With A Stranger"". The Fader. Archived from the original on 21 January 2019. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  9. ^ "Sam Smith & Normani's Sexy New Track Is a Perfect Breakup Anthem". www.out.com. 11 January 2019. Archived from the original on 21 January 2019. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  10. ^ "Sam Smith & Normani's "Dancing With A Stranger" Sounds Like A Smash". Idolator. 11 January 2019. Archived from the original on 4 March 2021. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  11. ^ Jump up to: a b c Billboard Staff (11 December 2019). "The 100 Best Songs of 2019: Staff List". Billboard. Archived from the original on 31 January 2020. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
  12. ^ "AP's top songs of 2019: Jhene Aiko, Sam Smith, Normani". AP NEWS. 6 December 2019. Archived from the original on 6 December 2019. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  13. ^ America, Good Morning. "2-year-old performs adorable rendition of Sam Smith song". Good Morning America. Archived from the original on 23 December 2019. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  14. ^ Jump up to: a b "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  15. ^ Jump up to: a b "British single certifications – Sam Smith & Normani – Dancing with a Stranger". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 26 February 2021.Select singles in the Format field. Select Platinum in the Certification field. Type Dancing with a Stranger in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  16. ^ Jump up to: a b "Sam Smith Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
  17. ^ Jump up to: a b Trust, Gary (13 May 2019). "Sam Smith & Normani's 'Dancing with a Stranger' Hits No. 1 On Radio Songs Chart". Billboard. Archived from the original on 13 May 2019. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  18. ^ Jump up to: a b "Sam Smith Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
  19. ^ Jump up to: a b "Australian-charts.com – Sam Smith & Normani – Dancing with a Stranger". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  20. ^ Jump up to: a b "Sam Smith Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  21. ^ Jump up to: a b "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2019 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  22. ^ Jump up to: a b "Canadian single certifications – Sam Smith – Dancing with a Stranger". Music Canada. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  23. ^ Jump up to: a b "New Zealand single certifications – Sam Smith and Normani – Dancing with a Stranger". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
  24. ^ Greenburg, Zack O'Malley. "Some Call Normani The Next Beyoncé—With 3 Billion Streams, This 30 Under 30 Breakout Is On Her Way". Forbes. Archived from the original on 18 January 2020. Retrieved 19 January 2020.
  25. ^ "Jonas Brothers' 'Sucker' Top Song on U.S. Radio in 2019". Billboard. Archived from the original on 13 January 2020. Retrieved 19 January 2020.
  26. ^ UK, Vevo (16 December 2019). "Congratulations to @samsmith & @Normani Their huge collab "Dancing With A Stranger" is 2019's Most Watched Video in the UK!pic.twitter.com/DwqDzuqmud". @vevo_uk. Archived from the original on 4 March 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2020.
  27. ^ Savage, Mark (5 December 2019). "YouTube reveals 2019's most-watched music videos". Archived from the original on 6 December 2019. Retrieved 19 January 2020.
  28. ^ "Sam Smith and Demi Lovato release new single & video". Pressparty. Archived from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  29. ^ Roth, Madeline. "5SOS Gave Their 'Dancing With A Stranger' Cover A Sneaky Surprise Ending". MTV News. Archived from the original on 29 January 2020. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  30. ^ "iHeartRadio on Instagram: "You voted so many times you almost broke our voting platform