“Dancing in the Street” is a duet by Mick Jagger and David Bowie, released on August 27, 1985 with the instrumental version on the B-side as part of the charity initiative for Live Aid, the massive fundraising concert organized to help fight famine in Ethiopia. The song is a cover of the 1964 hit by Martha and the Vandellas, and it became a major success, reaching No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 7 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.
Originally written by Marvin Gaye, William “Mickey” Stevenson, and Ivy Jo Hunter, “Dancing in the Street” was a hit for Martha and the Vandellas, and became an anthem of joy, freedom, and social change in the 1960s. The song called for people to come together and celebrate in the streets, though it also carried an underlying message of unity during the civil rights movement. American rock band Van Halen covered “Dancing in the Street” for their 1982 studio album Diver Down.
In 1985, Jagger and Bowie decided to record the song as part of their contribution to the Live Aid concerts, which were designed to raise funds for African famine relief. The song was produced quickly to align with the event and was accompanied by an energetic and iconic music video that became a fixture on MTV.
The music video, directed by David Mallet, featured Jagger and Bowie in a lively, spontaneous performance, dancing and singing in various urban locations. Filmed over a single day in London, the video showcases the chemistry between the two rock legends, who had fun with the song’s celebratory theme. Their playful interaction and enthusiastic dancing made the video a memorable visual moment in the mid-1980s music scene. It has since become both beloved and a bit infamous for its somewhat over-the-top and campy style.
“Dancing in the Street” was released in the summer of 1985 and became an instant hit. It reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart and performed well globally, including reaching No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. Proceeds from the single were donated to the Live Aid charity, contributing to the millions of dollars raised for famine relief.
The duet between Jagger and Bowie is remembered as a fun, high-energy collaboration between two of the most iconic rock stars of the era. While it wasn’t a groundbreaking artistic achievement, it captured the spirit of unity and celebration that Live Aid represented. Over time, the video and song have taken on a nostalgic and somewhat playful status, with fans appreciating the chemistry between Bowie and Jagger and the lighthearted nature of the project.