Lady Gaga hit #1 with “Just Dance”

Just Dance Lady Gaga with Colby O’Donis

Writer(s): Lady Gaga, Nadir "RedOne" Khayat, Aliaune "Akon" Thiam (see lyrics here) Released: April 8, 2008 First Charted: August 16, 2008 Peak: 13 US, 14 DG, 11 RR, 28 AC, 7 A40, 72 RB, 13 UK, 15 CN, 11 AU, 12 DF (Click for codes to charts.) Sales (in millions): 11.0 US, 1.2 UK, 19.0 world (includes US + UK) Airplay/Streaming (in millions): 0.5 radio, 251.08 video, 625.05 streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: Lady Gaga’s music and persona wasn’t new. A quarter century earlier, Madonna established herself as the Queen of dance pop, fueled by a revolving-door sense of fashion and overt sexuality capable of drawing controversy like a lightning rod. However, when “Just Dance” emerged on the scene, it was clear the world was ready for a new queen. Critics praised the song as a synth-pop club anthem WK “with an irresistible hook and a sly lyric.” MX RedOne, the co-writer and producer of “Just Dance,” said the song “was essentially a rock track but with synths instead of guitars. Big drums. The vocals were the melody, with a simple chorus.” SF Stefani Germanotta (who took her stage name from the Queen song “Radio Ga Ga”) SF said “That record saved my life. I was in such a dark space in New York. I was so depressed, always in a bar. I got on a plane to LA to do my music..I never went back.” WK She was hung-over when she wrote it in about ten minutes with RedOne during her first time in a Hollywood studio. WK She sings about getting drunk and disoriented at a night club, but that everything will be okay if she just dances. SF The song took 22 weeks to ascend to the top in the U.S., the longest trip since Creed’s “With Arms Wide Open” hit #1 in November 2000 in its 27th week on the charts. SF The song also hit #1 in Australia, Canada, Ireland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. WK It was a top five hit in the Czech Republic, Hungary, New Zealand, Norway, Scotland, Spain, and Sweden. WK Resources: MX Atlanta Metromix (11/24/09) Best songs of the decade SF Songfacts WK Wikipedia Related Links: Last updated 4/24/2023.