On this day in music history: May 3, 1984 - “Dancing In The Dark” by Bruce Springsteen is released. Written by Bruce Springsteen, it is the ninth single release for the rock music icon from Freehold, NJ. Immediately after the release of “Nebraska” in 1982, Bruce Springsteen begins work on his next album. For the first time since “Born To Run”, he feels pressure to deliver a hit. Always a prolific writer, he composes dozens of songs during this time. In spite of this, his manager Jon Landau tells him that he hasn’t come up with a big hit single. Springsteen responds, “Look, I’ve written seventy songs. You want another one, you write it”. Eventually, Bruce takes Landau’s statement to heart and tries to comply with his request. Returning to his hotel, the musician initially comes up with nothing. Frustrated, he puts pen to paper and begins writing the lyrics, “I get up in the evening, and I ain’t got nothin’ to say. I come home in the morning, I go to bed feeling the same way…”. Another lyric “you can’t start a fire without a spark” brings it all into focus, and the rest falls into place. Ironically, “Dancing In The Dark” is literally inspired by trying to write a hit. Playing it for Landau the next day, he concurs that his artist has indeed come up with the goods. The last song written and recorded for “Born In The USA”, it is recorded at The Hit Factory in New York City on February 16, 1984 with The E Street Band. Anchored by Max Weinberg’s powerful drumming, another stand out element are the lead synthesizer lines played by keyboardist Roy Bittan. When the single hits the radio one month ahead of the album, there is minor grumbling from some long time fans who feel it is “too commercial and slick”. It hardly matters as it quickly becomes a smash and wins “The Boss” a huge new audience of fans. It is backed with the non-LP B-side “Pink Cadillac”, becoming fan favorite in its own right. It later is a major hit for Natalie Cole in 1988. “Dark” is also accompanied by a now iconic music video directed by Brian DePalma. The clip is filmed at the first shows of the “Born In The USA Tour” in St. Paul, MN on June 28-29, 1984. The live performance video features Springsteen pulling actress Courteney Cox out of the audience to dance with him on stage. Entering the Hot 100 at #36 on May 26, 1984, it looks as if Bruce will finally land a number one pop single, but fate has other plans. Released just two weeks later, Prince’s “When Doves Cry”, leaps over Springsteen to the top of the pop chart for a five week stay on July 7,1984. “Dark” has to settle for a four week stay at #2 beginning on June 30, 1984. The song is also remixed by Arthur Baker and released as a 12" single, peaking at #7 on the Billboard Club Play chart. The single also wins Bruce his first Grammy Award for Best Rock Vocal Performance, Male in 1985. “Dancing In The Dark” is certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.
The Carteret, NJ-based band, The Smithereens, released their sophomore album Green Thoughts. The only song off this album to hit Billboard’s Hot 100 was “Only A Memory” at #92.
The Four Lovers (Newark, NJ c. 1956) Lineup: Frankie Castelluccio (lead vocals/drums), Tommy DeVito (guitar), Nick DeVito (bass), Hank Majewski (guitar)
Bruce, Southside, Steve and Ronnie Spector during the “You Mean So Much To Me” session at The Record Plant in early February 1976. Photos by Mary Alfieri.
![themaninthegreenshirt:Count Basie, Chicago [1978] with an all star band - Roy Eldridge, Zoot Sims](https://64.media.tumblr.com/2c26e915cfd08146322a4d046b4a8cd1/tumblr_ovkhz9yCbl1so28u7o1_1280.jpg "themaninthegreenshirt:Count Basie, Chicago [1978] with an all star band - Roy Eldridge, Zoot Sims")
