B-side "My Life, Your Life" Recorded 1990 Length 3:39 | Released July 1990 Genre Soca | |
Format 7" single, 7" maxi, CD maxi | ||
"Soca Dance" is the name of a 1990 song written and recorded by the artist Charles D. Lewis. It was released as a single from his album Do You Feel It and became a summer hit, topping the charts in France and Belgium. The song also gave its name to the dance performed on it.
Contents
Background and writing
In France, in 1989, TF1 had sponsored the "Lambada", which was huge success presented by the TV channel as the summer hit. TF1 decided to repeat the experience seeking a new song combining exoticism and suggestive dance. Finally, "Soca Dance" was chosen.
The song was written by the singer Charles D. Lewis himself (he also composed the music) and Gary Gordon-Smith who also produced it. It contains sexual content.
Chart performances
In France, the single went straight to #12 on July 14, 1990, climbed at #7, then was blocked at #2 by Zouk Machine's hit for two consecutive weeks. It then topped the chart for six weeks, but was dislodged by Zouk Machine who reached again #1. It almost didn't stop to drop, first slowly, then more quickly, remaining for 14 weeks in the top ten and 20 weeks on the chart (top 50). It achieved Gold status and is to date the 495th best-selling single of all time in this country.
Charles D. Lewis was the first artist from Saint Vincent, Antilles, to reach the top ten, followed in 2004 by Kevin Lyttle with his hit "Turn Me On".
The song was also successfully in Belgium (Wallonia), topping the chart. It was a moderate hit in Germany, where it peaked at #10 in October 1990, and in Austria, where it featured for a single week on the chart at #30 on November 11, 1990.
Track listings
- "Soca Dance" (bajan edit) — 3:39
- "My Life, Your Life" (edit) — 4:23
- "Soca Dance" (bajan mix) — 6:36
- "Soca Dance" (bajan edit) — 3:41
- "My Life, Your Life" (edit) — 4:22
- "Soca Dance" (bajan mix) — 6:36
- "Soca Dance" (bajan edit) — 3:41
- "My Life, Your Life" (edit) — 4:22
- "Soca Dance" (bajan edit) — 3:39
- "My Life, Your Life" (edit) — 4:23