The David Bowie and Mick Jagger Cover No One Expected to Hit No. 1 and Why It Became an ’80s Hit

The David Bowie and Mick Jagger Cover No One Expected to Hit No. 1 and Why It Became an ’80s Hit David BowieImage via BURIEZ/DALLE/startraksphoto.com By  Ryan Louis Mantilla Published 45 minutes ago

Ryan is a lifestyle and culture journalist born and raised in the Philippines. He primarily covers film, television, music, and all things pop culture. Beyond writing, you can find him buried in thriller novels or off exploring the world on occasion. He deeply romanticizes a slow, peaceful life — even though he’s almost always drowning in deadlines (insert skull emoji here).

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David Bowie and Mick Jagger are both powerhouses in their own right. Jagger is, after all, the lead singer and a founding member of one of the world’s most celebrated rock bands, The Rolling Stones. Bowie, on the other hand, is a solo artist widely regarded as one of the most influential and innovative musicians in history. Combine these two together and you’re guaranteed a truly unforgettable collaboration. That’s exactly what happened back in August 1985, when the two legends teamed up to release their high-energy cover of “Dancing in the Street.” Recorded as part of the Live Aid effort to raise money for the famine relief cause, the single ultimately reached the top of the UK Singles Chart and peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States.

It takes immense effort to catapult a single to number one, but it was an easy feat for both singers; both were already established acts at the time. But of course, it wasn’t a hit solely because of the name value — Jagger and Bowie’s talent took center stage, bringing their signature charisma and energy to the track, despite it being just a cover. Written by Marvin Gaye, William Stevenson, and Ivy Jo Hunter, “Dancing in the Street” is originally an R&B record first performed by Martha and the Vandellas in 1964. The girl group’s version was a standout on its own, reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for two consecutive weeks and earning its place as a Motown classic. Jagger and Bowie then gave the song a new spin, infusing it with a pop-rock flavor, a perfect embodiment of the bold, vibrant sound that defined the 1980s.

Mick Jagger and David Bowie Weren't the First Artists To Cover "Dancing in the Street"

In the years following Martha and the Vandellas’ release of “Dancing in the Street,” the song received numerous versions from artists such as British rock band The Kinks in 1965, folk-rock group The Mamas and the Papas in 1966, Swedish rock group Tages in 1966, rock band Grateful Dead in 1977, Van Halen in 1982, and ultimately, Bowie and Jagger in 1985. Myra later released her version in 2001 as part of the soundtrack for Disney’s Recess: School's Out. But the duet between Bowie and Jagger stands as the most popular, as it wasn’t only released to support the Live Aid benefit concert but also proved to be a fresh and bold reimagination of the original Motown classic. The pair added a pop-rock edge, theatrical flair, and their signature charisma, transforming it into a vibrant 1980s anthem. It was, indeed, one of the most memorable collaborations of the decade. That is despite the song receiving mixed reviews at the time of its release.

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Both the song and music video were successful on their own, charting highly in the UK and the US, but Jagger and Bowie’s version was somewhat divisive among critics and fans. Much of the controversy stemmed from their campy take on the track, which included exaggerated choreography, over-the-top facial expressions, and playful theatrics in the video. But one thing they cannot take away from it is its lasting impact as a charity single and pop-culture moment, which brought global attention to the Live Aid cause and cemented the duet as an iconic collaboration. After all, both Jagger and Bowie were high-energy performers and, frankly, their version of “Dancing in the Street” gave audiences everything a fan can expect from a Jagger and Bowie collaboration. It’s just a shame it remained their only collaboration — a sentiment Jagger himself shared.

In a statement, Jagger remembered the collaboration and the experience of recording the track so fondly, noting the fun, energy, and creative chemistry he shared with Bowie during the sessions. “We had such a laugh doing ‘Dancing in the Street‘ with both the song recorded in the studio and the video done in one day. Remarkable how we pulled it off really,” he said. “The video is hilarious to watch now. We enjoyed camping it up and trying to impersonate each other’s moves, making it up as we went along. It was the only time David and myself collaborated on anything, which is a real shame.”

• David Bowie
• Mick Jagger
• Music

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