Charlie Dance is the second track on the 1988 James album Strip-Mine.
The version on Strip-Mine is probably the most radically remixed from the original Hugh Jones produced session.
It was a massive crowd favourite in 1987-8, prompting impromptu stage invasions.
Tim described the song as “a terrible song written just after the Chernobyl accident” hence the references to cows not mooing any more and the governmental cover-ups.
Details
LyricsListenReleaseAvailable OnGigsGuitar Tabs
Oh, Charlie, don't dance dance dance
Your head's in a whirl
In a blind romance
Oh Charlie, look away look away
Do you believe what the good doctor says
Now there's rumours in the city that the banks might close
Close for a long holiday
And the papers are full of a new meltdown
Hold your breath, for the winds are all change
Oh, no, Charlie dance dance
Oh, go, Charlie dance dance
Oh, Charlie dance dance
Oh, Charlie dance dance
The minister says, put your hands on your head
Try and breath through your nose
Flat on the floor, bum in the air
Let's all do the death throes
Don't drink the milk, but the water is fine
The cows got caught in the rain
Charlie, believe what the government says
They don't moo anymore, but I'm sure they're not dead
Don't chew anymore, but I'm sure they're not dead
Oh, go Charlie dance dance
Oh, no Charlie dance dance
Oh Charlie dance dance dance dance
Oh Charlie, Oh Charlie, Oh Charlie dance dance dance dance......
Your head's in a whirl
In a blind romance
Oh Charlie, look away look away
Do you believe what the good doctor says
Now there's rumours in the city that the banks might close
Close for a long holiday
And the papers are full of a new meltdown
Hold your breath, for the winds are all change
Oh, no, Charlie dance dance
Oh, go, Charlie dance dance
Oh, Charlie dance dance
Oh, Charlie dance dance
The minister says, put your hands on your head
Try and breath through your nose
Flat on the floor, bum in the air
Let's all do the death throes
Don't drink the milk, but the water is fine
The cows got caught in the rain
Charlie, believe what the government says
They don't moo anymore, but I'm sure they're not dead
Don't chew anymore, but I'm sure they're not dead
Oh, go Charlie dance dance
Oh, no Charlie dance dance
Oh Charlie dance dance dance dance
Oh Charlie, Oh Charlie, Oh Charlie dance dance dance dance......
| Song: | Charlie Dance |
| Released: | 26th September 1988 |
| Main Associated Album (or Single): | Strip-mine |
| First Heard Live: | Manchester Town Hall – 7th June 1986 |
- BBC Radio Manchester Meltdown Session – James – 28th September 1987 :Promo, Album, 1987
- Strip-mine :Studio, Album, 1988
- The Gathering Sound :Compilation, Box Set, 2012
- Justhipper (Compilation) :Compilation, Album, 2017
- London Astoria – 27th October 1988
- Bristol Bierkeller – 26th October 1988
- Glasgow Queen Margaret Union – 15th October 1988
- Aberdeen The Venue – 14th October 1988
- Newcastle Riverside – 12th October 1988
- Manchester Ritz – 11th October 1988
- Manchester International 2 – 30th May 1988
- Birmingham University – 3rd October 1987
- London Astoria – 2nd October 1987
- Manchester Green Rooms – 10th August 1987
- Sheffield University – 28th May 1987
- Northampton Old Five Bells – 10th January 1987
- London ULU – 9th January 1987
- Liverpool University – 4th December 1986
- Swansea University – 25th November 1986
- Frankfurt Batschkapp – 20th November 1986
- Cardiff Chapter Arts Centre – 9th November 1986
- Birmingham Burberries – 4th November 1986
- Salford University – 24th October 1986
- London ICA – 11th October 1986
- London ICA – 10th October 1986
- London ICA – 9th October 1986
- London ICA – 8th October 1986
- Blackburn King George’s Hall – 19th September 1986
- Dundee Dance Factory – 17th August 1986
- Aberdeen The Venue – 16th August 1986
- Glasgow Daddy Warbucks – 14th August 1986
- Manchester PSV Club – 15th July 1986
- London LSE – 26th June 1986
- Leeds Ritzy – 24th June 1986
- Manchester Town Hall – 7th June 1986
Chords:
G, F
outro: F, G
G, F
outro: F, G
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