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"Can We Dance"
The Vamps - Can We Dance
Single by The Vamps
From the album Meet The Vamps
Released September 29, 2013
Recorded 2013
Format Digital download
Length 3:37 (Album Version) 3:11 (Radio Edit)
Genre Pop rock
Label Mercury, EMI
Writer(s) Timz Aluo, Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrence, Amund Bjorklund, Espen Lind, Karl Michael
Producer(s) Espionage, Bruno Mars
Single Chronology
Previous Next
N/A Wild Heart
(2014)
Gallery

"Can We Dance" is the debut single by British pop rock band The Vamps. It was released in the United Kingdom on 29 September 2013 as the lead single from their debut studio album Meet The Vamps (2014). The song was written by Karl Michael, Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrence, Timz Aluo and Espionage, and produced by Espionage.

The song debuted at number two on the UK Singles Chart in its first week of release, being kept off the top spot by OneRepublic's "Counting Stars".

Background[]

"Can We Dance" was written by The Voice UK contestant Karl Michael, Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrence, Timz Aluo and Espionage, and produced by Mars and Espionage.

Chart performance[]

On 2 October 2013, it was reported that the song was leading the midweek UK charts and on course to debut at number one on the UK Singles Chart, 13,000 copies ahead of its nearest competitor, "Counting Stars" by OneRepublic, which had been climbing the chart for two months. Two days later, "Can We Dance" was still on course to reach the top, but "Counting Stars" was now just 6,000 copies behind. On 6 October, following a late surge by OneRepublic fans, "Counting Stars" got the number one spot while "Can We Dance" entered the chart at number two, with sales of 66,730 copies. In the closest chart battle of 2013, there were just 1,150 copies separating the two songs. On 29 November, the song was certified Silver by the British Phonographic Industry for sales of over 200,000 copies.

In Ireland, "Can We Dance" debuted and peaked at number 21, spending just three weeks in the top 50.

Internationally, the song entered the Australian ARIA Charts at number 47, before eventually rising to its peak of number 17. It has so far spent 13 weeks in the Australian top 50. On 14 February 2014, it was announced that the song had been certified Platinum in Australia for sales of over 70,000. In New Zealand, "Can We Dance" debuted at number 35 and later rose to number 19, staying there for two weeks.

Music Video[]

The official music video was uploaded to YouTube on 6 August 2013. It features The Vamps playing to a crowd of screaming fans in lead singer Bradley Simpson's garage. At the end of the video, his parents come home, having seen the action unfold on YouTube and show it to him. The video was directed by Nick Bartlet. As of May 2021, the video has over 8.6 million views.

Track listing[]

Digital download – EP

  • "Can We Dance" – 3:11
  • "Year 3000" – 3:20
  • "MMMBop" – 4:01
  • "Teenage Kicks" (Live) – 1:54

Charts[]

Chart (2013-14) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA) 17
Czech Republic (IFPI) 73
Ireland (IRMA) 21
New Zealand Albums Chart 19
Scotland (Official Charts Company) 2
UK Singles (Official Charts Company) 2

Lyrics[]

I talk a lot of (shh) when I'm drinking, baby,
I'm known to go a little too fast.
Don't mind all my friends, I know they're all crazy,
But they're the only friends that I have.
I know I don't know you,
But I'd like to skip the small talk and romance, girl.
That's all I have to say so, baby, can we dance?

Here we go again, another drink I'm caving in,
And stupid words keep falling from my mouth.
You know that I mean well,
My hands were meant for somewhere else.
Your eyes are doing naughty butterflies

Oh, oh, one more drink and I should go,
Oh, oh, but maybe she might like me though.
Oh, oh, I just can't think of what to say,
Should I go, should I stay?
Just can't let her slip away.

I talk a lot of (shh) when I'm drinking, baby,
I'm known to go a little too fast.
Don't mind all my friends, I know they're all crazy,
But they're the only friends that I have.
I know I don't know you,
But I'd like to skip the small talk and romance, girl.
That's all I have to say so, baby, can we dance?

I was nearly in, but then came the pushy friend,
Killed the vibe and took my perfect ten away.
You know I need you, girl,
My heart's not made for someone else.
So save me here 'cause I can barely stand.

Oh, oh, one more drink and I should go,
Oh, oh, but maybe she might like me though.
Oh, oh, I can't take this any more,
Should I stay? Should I go?
It just can lead back to her door.

I talk a lot of (shh) when I'm drinking, baby,
I'm known to go a little too fast.
Don't mind all my friends, I know they're all crazy,
But they're the only friends that I have.
I know I don't know you,
But I'd like to skip the small talk and romance, girl.
That's all I have to say so, baby, can we dance?

I've been a bad, bad boy
Whispering rude things in her ear,
Please say she'll break,
Please say she'll change
Her mind and bring me back to her place.

I talk a lot of (shh) when I'm drinking, baby,
I'm known to go a little too fast.
Don't mind all my friends, I know they're all crazy,
But they're the only friends that I have.
I know I don't know you,
But I'd like to skip the small talk and romance, girl.
That's all I have to say so, baby, can we dance?

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