Dance Apocalyptic

"Dance Apocalyptic"
Single by Janelle Monáe
from the album The Electric Lady
ReleasedJuly 2, 2013 (2013-07-02)[1]
Genre
Length3:26
Label
Songwriter(s)
  • Janelle Monáe
  • Charles Joseph II
  • Nathaniel Irvin III[2]
Producer(s)
  • Wonder
  • Lightning
  • Monáe
Janelle Monáe singles chronology
"Special Education"
(2013) 		"Dance Apocalyptic"
(2013) 		"PrimeTime"
(2013)
Music video
"Dance Apocalyptic" on YouTube

"Dance Apocalyptic" is a song by Janelle Monáe, issued as the second single from her second studio album, The Electric Lady. The song was co-written with Charles Joseph II and Nathaniel Irvin III, and Monae, Chuck Lightning and Nate "Rocket" Wonder providing production. "Dance Apocalyptic" is a dance-pop song with elements of hip-hop, doo-wop, rock, Motown, and new wave. The song is built on kick-drums, keyboards, an electric guitar, scratching and synthesizers. Lyrically, the song is about dancing and liberation.

"Dance Apocalyptic" received widespread positive reviews, with critics noting its catchiness and feel-good lyrics.

Composition and lyrics

"Dance Apocalyptic" is a dance-pop,[3] new wave rock,[4] doo-wop, Motown and hip-hop song.[5]

Reception

Keith Murphy of Vibe praised the song, calling it an "infectious rave-up" and "the soundtrack to endless summer cookouts".[6]

Music video

The music video was directed by Wendy Morgan.[7]

Live performances

On September 9, 2013, Monáe performed the song on the Late Show with David Letterman.[8] She then performed the song (along with "Electric Lady") on Saturday Night Live on October 26.[9]

Track listing

Dance Apocalyptic Remixes [10]
No.TitleLength
1."Dance Apocalyptic" (Chocolate Puma Remix)5:32
2."Dance Apocalyptic" (Olugbenga Edit)4:09

Charts

Chart (2013) Peak
position
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[11] 83

References

  1. ^ "Amazon.com: Dance Apocalyptic: Janelle Monáe: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.com. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  2. ^ "The Electric Lady - Janelle Monáe - Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards - AllMusic". Allmusic. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  3. ^ Widianto, Stanley (May 18, 2018). "Album Review: 'Dirty Computer' by Janelle Monáe". The Jakarta Post. Archived from the original on October 30, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020. ...from the dance-pop of "Dance Apocalyptic"...
  4. ^ Kot, Greg (October 21, 2014). "Janelle Monae: Science fiction in African-American pop". BBC. Archived from the original on October 30, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  5. ^ Rosen, Jody (September 5, 2013). "Rosen on Janelle Monáe's The Electric Lady: An Intermittingly Thrilling Failure". Vulture. Archived from the original on April 20, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  6. ^ Murphy, Keith. "Review: Janelle Monáe's 'Dance Apocalyptic' Is Weird, Genre-Bending Fun - Vibe". Vibe. Archived from the original on March 20, 2014. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  7. ^ Martins, Chris. "Janelle Monae Boogies While the World Burns in 'Dance Apocalyptic' Video - SPIN - Videos". Spin. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  8. ^ "Janelle Monáe Performs "Dance Apocalyptic" On David Letterman's Desk Okayplayer". Okayplayer. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  9. ^ Navaroli, Joel. "SNL Archives - Episodes - 10.26.2013 #9". SNL Archives. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  10. ^ "Janelle Monáe - Dance Apocalyptic Remixes". Spotify. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
  11. ^ "Janelle Monáe Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 2013-10-12.