THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER

533-Rose Royce-Do Your Dance.

1977-Number 30 single.

Best Bit-At 1.56. The Rolls Royce of Funky Music.

Rose Royce started out life in the early 1970’s when members of several local bands from the Watts, and Inglewood areas of Los Angeles joined forces under the name ‘Total Concept Unlimited’. In 1973 they toured Europe, and Japan backing Edwin Starr,(1942-2003) (see also best songs 429) who later introduced them to Norman Whitfield. (1940-2008)

Whitfield (see also best songs 911-777-569-480-346 and 233) had spent the previous decade writing, and producing at Motown Records, and was now ready for a new challenge, setting up his own record label ‘Whitfield’ records.

While touring in Miami, Joe Harris of the band ‘Undisputed Truth’ was introduced to Gwen Dickey, who was then a member of a local group called ‘The Jewels.’Harris informed Whitfield of his find, and he signed Dickey to be lead vocalist of ‘Total Concept Unlimited.’In 1975 Whitfield was contacted by the film director Michael Schultz to write the music for his next film ‘Carwash.’ The soundtrack released in 1976 would become the debut Album by Rose Royce, with the band named after the movie’s automotive theme, and new lead singer Gwen Dickey now going by the stage name of Rose Norwalt. Rose Royce remain active, by still touring, in total they have released 10 studio Albums between 1976-1989, Gwen Dickey left the group to pursue a solo career in 1980.

‘Do Your Dance’ was taken from Rose Royce’s second studio Album ‘In Full Bloom’ from 1977,(see also best songs 233) and was co-written by Norman Whitfield, and Dwight Turner, Whitfield also produced the song. Turner had recorded an Album, and a few Soul singles in the 1960’s, including a cover of the Ben E King song ‘Stand By Me’, he was also a backing singer in the 1960’s for the Soul groups ‘The Stereophonics’ (no not the Welsh one) and ‘The Fabulous Counts.’

‘We gon’ start at midnight, party till the mornin’ light. You see, we can’t give up or stop, until we get it right.’ Ain’t that right, ain’t that right.’