Wikipedia

Slow Dancing in the Dark

"Slow Dancing in the Dark" is a song by Japanese-Australian singer-songwriter Joji from his debut album, Ballads 1 (2018). The song was released on 12 September 2018, as the album's second single, and was written and produced by Joji and Patrick Wimberly.

"Slow Dancing in the Dark"
Single by Joji
from the album Ballads 1
Released12 September 2018 (2018-09-12)
GenreR&B[1]
Length3:29
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • George Miller
  • Patrick Wimberly
Joji singles chronology
"Yeah Right"
(2018) 		"Slow Dancing in the Dark"
(2018) 		"Can't Get Over You"
(2018)
Audio sample
Music video
"Slow Dancing in the Dark" on YouTube

Background and promotion

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Joji first showcased the track for the first time during a live performance in May 2018, which caused the creation of bootleg versions, reworks, and covers to be released before the song's official release. It was then officially released as the second single from his debut studio album, Ballads 1, on 12 September 2018, alongside the album's release date.[2]

Music video

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A music video for the song was released on the same day as its release, on 12 September 2018, and was directed by Jared Hogan.[3]

Synopsis

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The video features Miller in a white tuxedo smoking a cigarette and stumbling through city streets at night in emotional anguish. Later in the video, he is revealed to be a satyr with an arrow in his back. He coughs up blood while splayed on an illuminated dance floor. He eventually collapses in a pool of blood. The final frame is used in the song's cover artwork. The video's visual style has been compared to that of director David Fincher.[4]

Remixes

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An acoustic remix of "Slow Dancing in the Dark" was released as a single on 18 October 2018.[5] It features Miller singing over a solo piano backing played by co-producer Carol Kuswanto.[6]

Remixes of the song by Mr. Mitch and Loud Luxury were released on 9 November 2018.[7][8]

Usage in media

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A microwave-like 'ding' sound effect present in the song's pre-chorus spawned an internet challenge on short-form video service TikTok in 2019 known as the "Microwave Challenge". In the challenge, people were asked to spin themselves around while sitting on the floor, imitating food spinning in a microwave.[9]

Personnel

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Charts

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Certifications

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Certifications for "Slow Dancing in the Dark"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[21] Platinum 70,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[22] Gold 45,000‡
France (SNEP)[23] Gold 100,000‡
Poland (ZPAV)[24] Gold 25,000‡
Portugal (AFP)[25] Platinum 10,000‡
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[26] Gold 30,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[27] Platinum 600,000‡
United States (RIAA)[28] 5× Platinum 5,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ Fekadu, Mesfin (11 December 2018). "AP names Nicky Jam and J Balvin's 'X' its top song of 2018". Associated Press.
  2. ^ "Joji Delivers His Take on the "Ultimate Power Ballad," "SLOW DANCING IN THE DARK"". Hypebeast. 12 September 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  3. ^ "Joji's "Slow Dancing In The Dark" Is A Lovesick Ode To A Dying Relationship". 14 September 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  4. ^ Moen, Matt (12 September 2018). "Joji Has a Rough Night in 'Slow Dancing in the Dark'". Paper Magazine. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  5. ^ a b "SLOW DANCING IN THE DARK (Acoustic Remix) / Joji". TIDAL. 18 October 2018. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  6. ^ @carolkuswanto (18 October 2018). "YOURS TRULY ON THE PIANO 😎 please share 🙏🏻 #NewMusicFriday" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  7. ^ "SLOW DANCING IN THE DARK (Mr. Mitch Remix) - Single by Joji". 8 November 2018 – via itunes.apple.com.
  8. ^ "SLOW DANCING IN THE DARK (Loud Luxury Remix) - Single by Joji". 9 November 2018 – via itunes.apple.com.
  9. ^ Seavers, Kris (1 March 2019). "The microwave challenge is taking over TikTok". Daily Dot.
  10. ^ "SLOW DANCING IN THE DARK / Joji". TIDAL. 12 September 2018. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  11. ^ "Billboard Canadian Hot 100 – November 16, 2019". Billboard. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  12. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 24 September 2018. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  13. ^ "Billboard Hot 100: November 16, 2019". Billboard. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  14. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – March 30, 2019". Billboard. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  15. ^ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 27 June 2022". The ARIA Report. No. 1686. Australian Recording Industry Association. 27 June 2022. p. 4.
  16. ^ "Billboard Global 200: Week of July 2, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  17. ^ "Top 20 Most Streamed International Singles In Malaysia Week 25 (17/06/2022-23/06/2022)". RIM. 2 July 2022. Retrieved 2 July 2022 – via Facebook.
  18. ^ "RIAS Top Charts Week 25 (17 - 23 Jun 2022)". RIAS. 28 June 2022. Archived from the original on 28 June 2022. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  19. ^ "Billboard Vietnam Hot 100, CHART DATE 2022-06-30". Billboard Việt Nam (in Vietnamese). Archived from the original on 1 July 2022. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  20. ^ "Hot R&B Singles: Year-End 2019". Billboard. Billboard.com. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
  21. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2020 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
  22. ^ "Danish single certifications – Joji – Slow Dancing in the Dark". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  23. ^ "French single certifications – Joji – Slow Dancing in the Dark (Loud Luxury Remix)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  24. ^ "Wyróżnienia – Złote płyty CD - Archiwum - Przyznane w 2021 roku" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  25. ^ "Portuguese single certifications – Joji – Slow Dancing in the Dark" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  26. ^ "Spanish single certifications – Joji – Slow Dancing in the Dark". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  27. ^ "British single certifications – Joji – Slow Dancing in the Dark". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  28. ^ "American single certifications – Joji – Slow Dancing in the Dark". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
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