And I use the word recording deliberately, because this is a song which is impossible to divorce from its sound and its production (even the version of the track used on Robyn’s official video is inferior because, for some reason, someone decided to add an extra arpeggiated synth through the intro and the verse a thoroughly unnecessary addition). The only version of ‘Dancing on my Own’ is the original Robyn recording. To many, this is ‘the’ version of the song. Now, his version is inescapable on the radio, from Magic, to Heart, to Radio 1 and everything in between. He won his show, and subsequently finished sixth out of 12 performers he performed different songs for both the semi and the final.ĭespite his success on the show, and the endorsement of Cowell, Scott was not offered a deal by Syco.Ī year later, on 15 April 2016, he released his version of ‘Dancing on my Own’ independently and, after initially only having support from West Hull FM, it slowly became a huge sleeper hit, eventually reaching number 2 in the charts and earning him a deal with Capitol. Then, having seen this performance, five years later, on 11 April 2015, Hull singer-songwriter Callum Scott performed an identical version on Britain’s Got Talent, earning a ‘golden buzzer’ from head judge Simon Cowell, putting him straight through to the semi-final of the competition. Take a listen now, and remind yourself of its brilliance.ġ5 days after its release, on 16 June 2010, Robyn was booked to appear on Radio 1’s Live Lounge, and as is the way with that franchise, decided to perform the track with just a simple piano backing. With ‘Dancing on my Own’, she took that sonic template and distilled it, breaking the sonics down to their primary components, and dialling the sadness up to 10. Robyn had tasted success three years before, with 2007’s collaboration with Kleerup, ‘With Every Heartbeat’ a huge number one hit. The perfect chart position for a perfect song.
High enough to respect its absolutely undeniable quality, but not too high that it became too ubiquitous or overplayed. Written and produced by Swedish singer Robyn and Patrick Berger, it was the first single from her Body Talk Pt 1 album and, like so many classic tracks, it reached the noble position of number 8 in the charts. On 1 June 2010, Robyn released one of the greatest records ever made, in the form of ‘Dancing on my Own’.