Magic Dance
"Magic Dance" is a song written, composed, and performed by English musician David Bowie for the soundtrack of the 1986 fantasy adventure film Labyrinth, directed by Jim Henson.[1][2] In the film, Bowie portrays the villainous Goblin King Jareth, and the track plays during a surreal scene in which Jareth and his goblin minions engage in a frenzied dance routine around a human baby that Jareth has abducted to lure the protagonist Sarah into his labyrinth.[3][4] The song was recorded between April and November 1985 at studios in New York and London, with Bowie co-producing alongside Arif Mardin; it features Bowie on lead vocals and baby gurgles, alongside musicians such as Dan Huff on guitar, Robbie Buchanan on keyboards, and backing vocalists including Fonzi Thornton and Diva Gray.[2] Released on the Labyrinth soundtrack album on June 23, 1986, by EMI America, "Magic Dance" (initially titled "Dance Magic") draws lyrical inspiration from a comedic dialogue in the 1947 film The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer.[2] Though not a major commercial single upon initial release—issued as a single in select countries in January 1987—it later experienced renewed popularity, reaching number 63 on the UK iTunes chart following Bowie's death in 2016.[2] Critically, "Magic Dance" has been praised for its eccentric blend of whimsy and menace, capturing the film's blend of puppetry, music, and dark fairy-tale elements; Rolling Stone described it as "weird, threatening, and deeply lovable," highlighting its role in making the Goblin King's unsettling obsession with the baby momentarily endearing.[5] The track's infectious chorus and goblin choreography have made it one of the most iconic songs from Labyrinth, contributing to the film's cult status and frequent references in popular culture.[5]Overview
Film context
In the 1986 fantasy film Labyrinth, directed by Jim Henson, teenager Sarah Williams embarks on a transformative journey through a sprawling, ever-shifting maze to rescue her infant brother Toby from Jareth, the Goblin King, after impulsively wishing him away in a moment of resentment toward her babysitting duties. Set against the backdrop of a stormy evening where Sarah rehearses lines from her favorite fairy-tale book, the story unfolds as Jareth—charismatic and manipulative—seizes the opportunity to abduct Toby and challenge Sarah to navigate his labyrinthine domain within 13 hours, lest the baby be forever lost to goblinhood. Throughout her odyssey, Sarah allies with quirky creatures like the dwarf Hoggle and faces illusions designed to erode her determination, culminating in encounters that force her to confront the Goblin King's seductive authority over the fantastical realm.[6] The "Magic Dance" sequence occurs early in Sarah's quest, shortly after Jareth abducts Toby. In the Goblin City throne room, Jareth attempts to entertain the crying infant by singing the song while his goblin minions perform a chaotic, frenzied dance routine around the baby, juggling props and chanting along in a display of mischievous revelry. The scene highlights Jareth's playful yet menacing persona and the disorderly nature of his goblin court, emphasizing the film's themes of peril and enchantment in a fairy-tale world.[2][3] Filmed at Elstree Studios in England during the production period from April to September 1985, the scene involved David Bowie's performance alongside puppeteers operating the goblin characters to create the song's lively, puppet-filled antics under Jim Henson's direction. Conceptual artist Brian Froud's designs contributed to the goblin aesthetics and throne room setting, blending practical effects with Bowie's energetic choreography to capture the whimsical chaos.)[7]Song summary
"Magic Dance" is a song by David Bowie, featured in the 1986 fantasy film Labyrinth, where it accompanies a scene with Bowie as the Goblin King interacting with his subjects.[1] Released in 1986 on the film's soundtrack album, the track runs for 5:13 and features Bowie on lead vocals, supported by backing vocalists Diva Gray, Fonzi Thornton, and Will Lee, who provide the playful goblin chorus effect.[8] Classified as synth-pop within the broader electronic and pop rock genres, the song incorporates new wave influences and whimsical fantasy elements through its upbeat tempo of approximately 106 beats per minute.[9][10] Bowie's charismatic lead delivery drives the track, built around a call-and-response structure where the backing voices repeatedly chant "Dance magic dance," evoking mischievous goblin antics.[8] Instrumentally, it highlights prominent synthesizers for a shimmering, otherworldly texture and rhythmic percussion that underscores the song's energetic, danceable rhythm.[9] The soundtrack album version serves as the primary recording, while a single edit shortens it to around 4:00 for radio play, trimming some instrumental sections without altering the core structure.[11]Release and formats
Initial release
"Magic Dance" was first issued on June 23, 1986, as the third track on the Labyrinth soundtrack album, released by EMI America Records in conjunction with the film's premiere.[12] The soundtrack served as a key promotional vehicle for the Jim Henson-directed fantasy film, which opened in theaters on June 27, 1986, emphasizing David Bowie's contributions to broaden its appeal beyond traditional family audiences. A commercial single followed in January 1987 through EMI America, available in initial formats such as 12-inch vinyl and cassette, with the B-side featuring "Within You" from the same soundtrack.[13] These releases included a dance mix version extending to over seven minutes, alongside the standard 5:13 album track.[2] Promotional strategies tied directly to the film's rollout, incorporating radio airplay via a 4:08 single edit and music video excerpts drawn from the movie's memorable goblin dance sequence featuring Bowie as Jareth.[2] Bowie engaged in extensive press activities, including interviews and the 1986 making-of documentary Inside the Labyrinth, where he discussed the song's whimsical composition and its role in enticing pop music listeners to the cinematic experience.[14] EMI's A&R efforts highlighted Bowie's star power to attract contemporary pop audiences, positioning "Magic Dance" as a bridge between the soundtrack and mainstream radio rotation.Track listings
The single "Magic Dance" was primarily released in 12-inch vinyl format in 1987, with limited 7-inch promotional variants in 1986, followed by digital reissues in the 2000s and inclusions in later remastered compilations.[13][2]12-inch vinyl single (1987)
This was the main commercial format, issued by EMI America in the United States under catalog number V-19217. The track listing is as follows:| Side | Track | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Magic Dance (A Dance Mix) | 7:11 | Extended remix |
| B1 | Magic Dance (Dub) | 5:28 | Dub version of the remix |
| B2 | Within You | 3:28 | Album track from the Labyrinth soundtrack |
7-inch single variants (1986)
Commercial 7-inch singles were not widely issued, but promotional versions appeared in select markets. In Australia, EMI America RPS 20 contained "Magic Dance" (7" Version, 4:39) backed with "Within You" (3:28). A Spanish promo (EMI America 006-2015497) featured a similar edit of "Magic Dance" on the A-side with "Within You" on the B-side. These edits were shorter remixes tailored for radio.[15][16]Digital editions (2007)
A digital EP was released via iTunes and other platforms by EMI (UK catalog none, worldwide availability), compiling key mixes from the original single. The tracks are:- Magic Dance (Single Version) – 4:00 (2002 remaster)
- Magic Dance (12" Version) – 7:06
- Magic Dance (Dub) – 5:22
- Magic Dance (7" Version) – 4:39