Dance with My Father" is a song by Luther Vandross and the title track to his thirteenth studio album. It was released in May 2003 as the album's lead single. With Richard Marx, Vandross wrote the song based on his personal experience. The lyrics recall childhood memories with Vandross's father, who used to dance with him and his mother.
Despite the lack of promotion due in part to Vandross's hospitalization, "Dance with My Father" became one of the most requested songs at the time. During the 2004 Grammy Awards, "Dance with My Father" earned Vandross the Song of the Year and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance accolades.
Vandross wrote "Dance with My Father" with Marx, based on his personal experience. Considered by Vandross as his "career song",[1] "Dance with my Father" is a tribute to his father, Luther Vandross Sr., who died due to complications of diabetes. Vandross was eight when his father died. According to Marx, writing the song was emotional for Vandross because it is "a subject matter [Vandross] hadn't written before".[2]
At the time of "Dance with My Father"'s release as a single on May 30, 2003, Vandross had been hospitalized due to his suffering from stroke. This timely release of the song gained attention from critics. On his review for the album, David Jeffries of AllMusic wrote that its release "makes the song's references to absent loved ones even more poignant".[6] For Larry Flick of The Advocate, it transformed the song into "a haunting composition rife with subtext".[3]
Although Vandross was unable to promote the latest project, "Dance with My Father" was able to reach number one on music stations. For instance, it achieved top position in WLTW, which was one of the first stations in the United States to play the track. Before his stroke, Vandross wrote to WLTW's program director, informing him of what he considered to be his "career song".[7] The director asked permission from the label, but it was not until after the hospitalization that J Records permitted the airplay, following the song being featured in Boston Public on April 28, 2003. "Dance with My Father" became one of the most requested songs at the time, spawning "a number of weepy phone calls and requests".[7]
In February 2004, "Dance with My Father" earned Vandross and Marx a Grammy Award for Song of the Year and Vandross a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. Marx accepted the award on behalf of Vandross, who was unable to attend due to health concerns. At the same event, singer Celine Dion agreed to perform a live rendition of the song in lieu of Vandross, and Marx accompanied her on the piano as she recently lost her father.[8] After the performance, Vandross however accepted the awards on a videotaped speech.[9]
With his death in 2005, "Dance with My Father" was the last top 40 hit for Luther Vandross in the United States, peaking at number 38. The song also peaked at 21 in the UK Singles Chart. On August 29, 2009, the song re-entered the UK top 40 after a performance of the song on The X Factor by Joe McElderry.
While Vandross was hospitalized, a music video was shot for the single. Hosting famous friends of his and fans alike, the clip features musicians, singers, actors and sport stars. The video features childhood snapshots of Vandross.[10]
Celebs who made cameos are Monica, Beyonc, Brian McKnight, Johnny Gill, Stevie Wonder, Garcelle Beauvais, Damon Wayans, Holly Robinson Peete, Whitney Houston, Jason Kidd, Master P, Lil Romeo, Babyface, Morris Chestnut, Ashanti, Celine Dion, Nona Gaye, Patti LaBelle, Ruben Studdard, Brandy, Quincy Jones, Wyclef Jean, Wayne Brady and Shaquille O'Neal.
"Dance with My Father" has been released in various cover versions, appearing on many albums and music media formats. Among the most notable is a version released in 2004 by country music singer Kellie Coffey. This version peaked at No. 41 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks (now Hot Country Songs) charts.
I just love this song! Although I haven't lost my father, I still cried when I heard this song because at the time my parents had just divorced and I was living with my mom, and I heard this song and thought it was the sweetest thing ever. Luther Vandross is a very talented guy and just for the record, I hope he gets better.
My father hasn't passed, that I know of. Sadly, my father didn't want to be in my life and found it easier to blame me and my sister for 'rejecting' him than to admit it he didn't want to see us. This song relates to me, because what I wouldn't give to dance with my father.
i totally agree with you.i also am very fortunate to still have my dad in my life & listening to this song makes me appreciate him even more.i too have a lump in my throat everytime i hear
it.it is a very beautiful song.
im with u guys on this. its a really beautiful adn emotional song. i am also fortunate enough to still have my dad in my life. sorry to sound morbid, but i think this is the song that i would need played at his funeral - which i hope is still a long time away
Im not lucky enuf to have my dad with me anymore, and this song makes me cry my eyes out all the time, bu cant help but listen to it cuz it puts it into context how im feelin totally! i cant believe a song can hit the spot so much, id do anythin in the world to be back with my dad and it cnt b done!I know I'm praying for much too muchBut could you send back the only man she lovedI used to pray everynite that my dad would come back and it...i cnt describe it, hes so talented and this is a truely amazing song! xxx
This is a beautiful song. My father is getting old now, so the song teaches me to appreciate as much as I can while he is still on this earth. It will probably express my exact feelings if (when) that day comes. Although I am no cry baby, this is definitely one song where I have to fight to hold back tears for the inevitable.
My parents divorced seven years ago. two years ago, after moving across the country and not seeing me in a year, my dad got me there for his wedding. Me and him danced to this song at the wedding. At the time, I thought it was stupid to dance with him at HIS wedding and took it for granted. Now, I wish I never did. I slap myself for that everytime I hear this song. And when I get married, me and him want to dance to that exact same song.
The first and only dance that I ever shared with my father was at my christening, before I could barely wrap my hand around his finger. Now, 20 years later and 17 years after his death, I still wish that I could share just one more dance with him.
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Vandross together with Richard Marx wrote the song. The lyrics remind the children of the deceased father of all the good memories that they may have with their dad. Although those memories may be just simple gestures or common activities, people will try to understand the importance of those events when their father is already gone.
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