San Francisco-born teenager Bobby Freeman had been a member of doo-wop groups the Romancers and the Vocaleers. He was 17 when he wrote and recorded "Do You Want To Dance". Freeman had been performing with three other teenagers at dances and other functions when a San Francisco DJ heard the song and visiting record label executive, Mortimer Palitz of Jubilee Records, brought him in to record the song. He signed Freeman to the label, and had the original recording overdubbed in New York by session musicians including guitarist Billy Mure. Released on the Josie label, it was a big hit in the summer of 1958.
This song was recorded by a wide array of artists in a litany of styles. These are the charting versions of the song:
The Beach Boys version is one of their few songs with drummer Dennis Wilson on lead vocals. Mike Love would become a dancer during live performances.
The Mamas & the Papas did a mellow, lush arrangement, as did Love Society. Midler also slowed it down, but her rendition was more sultry, with the line "Tell me I'm your lover man" changed to "Tell me your my lover man." The Ramones, as always, did it fast and furious. Their version was used in their movie Rock 'N' Roll High School.
A notable cover that didn't chart: John Lennon, who included it on his 1975 album Rock 'n' Roll.
San Francisco-born teenager Bobby Freeman had been a member of doo-wop groups the Romancers and the Vocaleers. He was 17 when he wrote and recorded "Do You Want To Dance". Freeman had been performing with three other teenagers at dances and other functions when a San Francisco DJ heard the song and visiting record label executive, Mortimer Palitz of Jubilee Records, brought him in to record the song. He signed Freeman to the label, and had the original recording overdubbed in New York by session musicians including guitarist Billy Mure. Released on the Josie label, it was a big hit in the summer of 1958.
This song was recorded by a wide array of artists in a litany of styles. These are the charting versions of the song:
[Del Shannon](https://hooktube.com/watch?v=GKwB31bfSJU) (#43, 1964)
[The Beach Boys](https://hooktube.com/watch?v=lkFvlUilWp4) (#12, 1965)
[The Mamas & the Papas](https://www.hooktube.com/watch?v=SEUCoPkECQ4) (#76, 1968)
Love Society (#108, 1968)
Bette Midler (#17, 1973)
[Ramones](https://hooktube.com/watch?v=Y9KfHpm4s4w) (#86, 1978)
The Beach Boys version is one of their few songs with drummer Dennis Wilson on lead vocals. Mike Love would become a dancer during live performances.
The Mamas & the Papas did a mellow, lush arrangement, as did Love Society. Midler also slowed it down, but her rendition was more sultry, with the line "Tell me I'm your lover man" changed to "Tell me your my lover man." The Ramones, as always, did it fast and furious. Their version was used in their movie Rock 'N' Roll High School.
A notable cover that didn't chart: John Lennon, who included it on his 1975 album Rock 'n' Roll.
San Francisco-born teenager Bobby Freeman had been a member of doo-wop groups the Romancers and the Vocaleers. He was 17 when he wrote and recorded "Do You Want To Dance". Freeman had been performing with three other teenagers at dances and other functions when a San Francisco DJ heard the song and visiting record label executive, Mortimer Palitz of Jubilee Records, brought him in to record the song. He signed Freeman to the label, and had the original recording overdubbed in New York by session musicians including guitarist Billy Mure. Released on the Josie label, it was a big hit in the summer of 1958.
This song was recorded by a wide array of artists in a litany of styles. These are the charting versions of the song:
Del Shannon (#43, 1964)
The Beach Boys (#12, 1965)
The Mamas & the Papas (#76, 1968)
Love Society (#108, 1968)
Bette Midler (#17, 1973)
Ramones (#86, 1978)
The Beach Boys version is one of their few songs with drummer Dennis Wilson on lead vocals. Mike Love would become a dancer during live performances.
The Mamas & the Papas did a mellow, lush arrangement, as did Love Society. Midler also slowed it down, but her rendition was more sultry, with the line "Tell me I'm your lover man" changed to "Tell me your my lover man." The Ramones, as always, did it fast and furious. Their version was used in their movie Rock 'N' Roll High School.
A notable cover that didn't chart: John Lennon, who included it on his 1975 album Rock 'n' Roll.