Nik Kershaw – “Dancing Girls”: Synthpop with a Side-Eye
Released in April 1984 (with “She Cries” on the B-side( as the third single from his debut album Human Racing, “Dancing Girls” was Nik Kershaw’s sly follow-up to “Wouldn’t It Be Good.” It didn’t aim for chart domination—it aimed for something cooler, weirder, and more self-aware. With clipped vocals, robotic funk, and lyrics that read like a quiet scream for excitement, it cemented Kershaw’s place as one of the more cerebral voices in the synthpop crowd.
Not Your Average Night Out
Despite the title, this isn’t a party track. Kershaw described it as being about a guy stuck in the grind—job, telly, bed, repeat—who’s desperate for something to break the monotony.
“Bring on the Dancing Girls / Take off the twilight and the skies so grey” It’s not a celebration—it’s a plea. The lyrics are exaggerated, but the sentiment is real: boredom, routine, and the longing for a spark.
Precision Pop with a Pulse
Built on a bassline Kershaw wrote spontaneously using a Roland Juno-6 and a rhythm programmed on a TR-808, the track is tight and minimal. Funky guitar chops, layered synths, and a steady groove give it a stylish edge. There’s no big chorus moment—just a cool, calculated flow. Kershaw played most of the instruments himself, and it shows in the control and clarity.
Video: Ballet, Bureaucracy, and a Day Out of Sync
The video follows Kershaw through a surreal workday where everyone—from neighbors to nurses—breaks into dance. He wakes up, passes a dancing traffic warden and a recurring ballet dancer, then heads to an office where the secretary dances on the desk, transforming into the ballet figure. Later, even the nurse at his checkup sways to the rhythm, and back home, the ballet dancer is still pirouetting at his window. It’s playful, offbeat, and just strange enough to match the song’s mix of detachment and desire.
Chart Pulse and European Reach
“Dancing Girls” peaked at No. 13 in the UK, spending nine weeks on the chart. It hit No. 2 in Ireland and reached No. 21 in Germany, giving Kershaw a solid European presence even if it didn’t match the impact of his previous single. It was released in multiple formats, including four different 12″ remixes, each adding a slightly different spin to the track’s groove.
Why It Still Steps Differently
“Dancing Girls” isn’t built to dazzle—it’s built to linger. It’s pop with restraint, funk with detachment, and commentary wrapped in synths. Kershaw wasn’t chasing trends—he was observing them, and this track proves it. It’s the kind of song that sounds best when you’re alone, wired, and wondering what the next move should be.