Customer Reviews

You Can Dance

5 star:		(46)
4 star:		(22)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

You Can Dance is without a doubt Madonna's most underrated album. It has sold 5 million copies worldwide, which is a flop in Madonna's usual sales. It was released in 1987 and features 10 remixes of some of Madonna's best loved and most popular 80's hits from her first three albums, Madonna, Like A Virgin and True Blue. It may not seem it, but You Can Dance is a ground-breaking piece of work. Madonna had the confidence to put out a remix album. She was the first artist to ever release one, and it sold 5 million - not bad for a few songs that have been changed a bit. You Can Dance has inspired many artists and bands of today to release remix albums such as Jennifer Lopez.

The album starts with Spotlight (10/10). This rare track is only available on You Can Dance and is a classic Madonna song. You can instantly tell which era of Madonna's career it's from because of the brilliant instruments and clear vocals that only suited Madonna in the 1980's. Spotlight is remixed by Jellybean and produced by Stephen Bray and is a fantastic song to open the album with. This is the type of song you could just imagine being played on holiday in a bar in somewhere like Spain or Greece! A holiday classic! Speaking of holidays...Holiday is Track 2! This has to be one of Madonna's most famous songs ever. This classic was her first single, but the remix doesn't sound very different to the album version. It lasts for 6.32 minutes though, so you get your money's worth! Most of the songs on You Can Dance are continual; when one song is finishing, the next track is starting. You just know when Holiday is starting because of the legendary 7 chimes. And at a clap of her hands, Track 2 is well underway! Madonna's very first single, Everybody (8/10), which was not released as a single, is the next track. This is probably the worst track on You Can Dance. It just doesn't have that edge that other tracks on here have. Yet it's still good listening. Track 4 is Physical Attraction (9/10) from Madonna's debut album. It's only when you listen to this remix that you realise that the original is a superb piece of work. Yet again, it doesn't sound much different from the original. They probably realised they couldn't do a thing to make it any better!

One of the most impressive remixes on You Can Dance is Over And Over (10/10), taken from Madonna's hugely successful second album Like A Virgin. The lyrics are not altered in any way, but it's the instruments that make the big impression - they are so funky and catchy! I don't know how to describe them, but they sound like a lot of clocks ticking away! The remix comes in at more than 7 minutes long and is one of the best songs on the whole album. Into The Groove (10/10) is Track 6 and is undoubtedly the best remix on the whole album. It's so different to the original and the stuttering vocals at the beginning are so catchy! It was remixed by Shep Pettibone, who prodcued most of Madonna's fantastic Erotica album. The remix of Into The Groove is almost 8 and a half minutes long. The most corny bit is the, "Step to the, step to the, step to the beat!!!" You just have to cringe when you hear that! Where's The Party (10/10) is Track 7. Taken from Madonna's third album True Blue, which has sold 21 million copies, it's a fantastic, feel-good, remix that deserves a lot of credit. The remix of Where's The Party is more than 7 minutes long, but not long enough if you ask me!

The final three tracks are all Dub Versions of Holiday, Into The Groove and Where's The Party. They are all fantastic and worthy of 10/10 each, although there isn't much singing in them. There's not much singing on Holiday, but it's good to take the time to appreciate the music, instead of it getting covered up by all the singing.

OVERALL GRADE: 9/10

On the whole, You Can Dance is a splendid album that deserves more attention than it has recieved. You may think you have all these songs on the first three albums or some of them on The Immaculate Collection, but trust me, you cannot afford to miss this remix album. It's too good to miss out on and the remixes are so funky and catchy. This will remain in your collection for years and years...

If I'm not wrong the interesting thing about these remixes is that they were remixed by the actual producers, so they don't fall far from the great originals. And very imporatantly it's not an anonymous remix album like it was trendy these last years, it's on the contrary a great idea. None of these tracks were ever actually remixed before (as it's customary these days), except a 9-minute long 'Everybody' Dub. So of course it's great. I'm sure I'm not the only one who would love to get my hands on original 12" mixes of 80s songs, because loving the normal version, the exteded 12" mix is more of it and allows a full presentation of the work .Just think about Donna Summer's 'Love To Love You Baby': 17 minutes edited down to not even 4! In the 80s 7-8 minutes was regular Extended Mix. How can you not like this cd?. The original B-Side of this album (Groove/Over/Party) is very different from the A-side. It's more upbeat and very 80s dance. Can you keep from dancing? After you listen to it you realise how appropriate the title is. The first song presented here, and the only new song, is 'Spotlight'. I think it agrees perfectly with this concept album. You CAN Dance, and you must.

"You Can Dance" is the very first Madonna retrospective album. Instead of releasing a package of all of her singles, Madonna did something groundbreaking, she released a remix album.

The title "You Can Dance" is taken from the very first line of the song "Into the Groove" : And you can dance for inspiration. And this album inspired other artists to follow suit, putting out their own remix albums.

Unlike other artists like Milli Vanilli and Paula Abdul who quickly put out remix albums which lifted tracks straight out from 12" singles, Madonna took popular album tracks (Over And Over, WHere's the Party) and singles (Everybody, Holiday, Into the Groove) which hasn't been remixed before, as well as slapping on a brand new song (Spotlight) as a bonus. What is even more unique is that the songs are segued into one long continuous grind, with the first half consisting of Spotlight - Holiday - Everybody - Physical Attraction. On the case of Physical Attraction, it is exactly as it appear on her first album, except that it segued with the ending of Everybody. The second half have Over and Over - Into the Groove - Where's the Party.

As an incentive to buy various formats, the CD have three dub versions : Holiday, Into the Groove and Where's the Party.

The cassette has four dubs, Holiday, Into the Groove, Spotlight, and Over and Over.

The vinyl version do not have the dubs at all, just the main tracks.

As expected, these remixed versions actually improved upon the songs. Holiday, Where's the Party, Into the Groove as it appear here are the versions that Madonna performs onstage.

The extensive liner notes by Brian Chin elaborated upon the natural allure of a Madonna track on the dance floor and the relationship she has with dancing, dancers, and dance music. It is no secret that in a club, whenever a Madonna song is being played, EVERYBODY (pun intended) gets up and do their thing. "You Can Dance" is a great party dance album. So next time you are throwing a wingding, put this on to get the party going.

READ CAREFULLY BEFORE BUY! . The Audio CD edition, contains three dubs that was "bonus tracks". But the Audio Cassette, Contains the RARE dub of the song "SPOTLIGHT" that was the only new song to this Album. If you got already the CD, I recommend that shop the Cassette TOO!

"You Can Dance" is a snapshot of classic, vintage Madonna, a mix CD of her most popular dance hits back in the 1980s. Some would dismiss this CD, which was released in the fall of 1987, as a transparent cash-in, but it works surprising well as a dance record, even if the production does sound a bit dated. The kickoff, "Spotlight," is one of Madonna's very best songs, an underrated track that's strong enough to be released as a single. Fans will certainly be bobbing their heads to the beat in approval. The 12-inch versions of "Physical Attraction" and "Everybody" are gems that remind us of Madonna's r&b roots, while the extended mix of "Into the Groove" is even better than the edited version of the classic single. In addition, the CD version of "You Can Dance" has 3 dub versions of "Holiday," "Into the Groove," and "Where's the Party," and, unfortunately, they're all throwaways. It's not that they're terrible, but I think a better choice for a bonus track would have been the extended version of "Open Your Heart" or "Like a Virgin." Still, "You Can Dance" is a can't-fail purchase for both Madonna fans and lovers of 80s dance music. Grade: B.

to have people buy both the cassette and CD in order to get the different mixes on them.

The CD has a special dub version of "Where's the Party?" that isn't on the cassette and the cassette has special dub versions of "Spotlight" and "Over and Over" that aren't on the CD.

Good way to make more money.

One thing I will say about this compliation of Madonna dance hits is that it's a great tape or cd to work out to.

As 1987 came to a close, Madonna had had enjoyed much success from her second staring movie role (Who's That Girl) and a number one soundtrack to accompny it. So what better way to close the year, than with the best Madonna Dance Tunes. All of these songs are played in contious sequence, with the expection of the dubs, which means instead of a pause between songs, they just keep going, which is great on the dance floor.

1)Spotlight: the only new song that appeared on this album. This song is so beautiful. It is a "go for your dreams song". The beat is wonderful to dance to and the vocals are gorgeous. Madonna, again outdid herself. 6/5 stars
2)Holiday: This dance version, is very close to the orginal, except they are a few differnt instruments used here and it is about 20 second longer than the album version.
3)Everybody: This version is okay. It is good to dance to, but I like the one that appeared on Madonna- The First Album, the best.
4)Physical Attraction: The only song that did not get "re-done". This version is exactly the same as the orginal. A new, more dance version, would have been great to go on this collection, why it was chosen not to be "re-done" I don't know.
5)Over and Over: The one song on this collection, I don't reallly like that well. I never like the orginal that well, so I am not fond of this one either. The mix was done well, though.
6)Into The Groove: The famous 8:29 version, that everyone is familiar with. This version is very good. I adore it, but the one thing that is done wrong, is that it takes away the sound that made the orginal cut. I love the 1985 version of Into the Groove, it is my favorite and always will be, I wished Shep would have based this version more on the '85 version.
7)Where the Party?: Another Dance version Shep did. I really like this version, but it is like 7+ minutes long and it gets kinda boring, because the sound doesn't change much and the song, it self, is slightly repitious.
8)Holiday (Dub Version): This is one of the few Dubs, I really like, but I love this one.
9)Into the Groove (Dub Version): This is dubbed from the version shep did. If it was dubbed from the orginal, it would have been better.
10)Where's the Party?(Dub Version): Eghh Not really my fav song on the cd, but it still okay and a nice close to this gorgeous compilation.

This cd is truly worth your money. It is great for Madonna fans/Dance fans, basically all types!

Oh my goodness, do I love this cd. I have bought it three times due to scratches and thieves. I got the tape for Christmas when it came out in 1987 and didn't listen to it much. I dug it out about a year ago and just fell in love with it. A club would be stupid not to play these mixes. I listen to it everytime I clean or feel like dancing. It gives me a wonderful start to a day if I need it. Whenever anyone asks me something about Madonna I tell them that they must buy this cd.

You want energy, you got it with this Dance CD. It's also good for working out to as it is very energy oriented. There is a new song here called "Spotlight" and it is just as good as anything she has done. "Over And Over" has such as cool sound on a good stereo that it feels like you are hallucinating! Great album all the way and highly recommended.

"For Inspiration..." That is a classic phrase from the 1985 hit Into The Groove, which is just one of the songs that appears on this wonderful dance contemplation. This album proves that you CAN dance, and you will when you hear these songs. You Can Dance was Madonna's first greatest hits CD. While there is only one new song (Spotlight) all the rest of the songs are remixed to be six minutes plus. But all the songs are remixed by the original mixers and producers so you know they're going to be good. All the songs are in a continuos sequence except for the three dub versions. Here are how the ten tracks rate from 0(bomb)-10++++(outstanding)

1. Spotlight: Fantastic song with a good message. 10++++

2. Holiday: Excellent remix! 10++++

3. Everybody: Good remix. 10++++

4. Physical Attraction: Good song with a good remix. 10++

5. Over And Over: Good remix, just a tad long. 10+

6. Into The Groove: Best on the CD! Awesome remix! 10++++

7. Where's The Party: Good remix. 10++++

8. Holiday (Dub Version): OK, but she hardly sings at all. 10++

9. Into The Groove (Dub Version): Better than the Holiday dub. 10+++

10. Where's the Party (Dub Version): Not a bad dub. 10+++

Overall Grade: A+ (10++)