Dancing In The Street

Lyrics: Stevenson/Gaye
Music: Stevenson/Gaye

The Grateful Dead's versions of this song changed substantially from the frenetic early pace of 1966, to the somewhat smoother versions in 1970, to the 'disco' versions in 1977. Most of the transcription below is taken from an early performance on 3 July 1966, partly because that has fuller lyrics than most other versions I've got.

[Dancing, dancing, dancing in the streets] (note 1)
[Dancing, dancing, dancing in the streets]

Come alive around the world (note 2)
Are you ready for a brand new beat
'Cause summer's here and the time is right (note 3)
For dancing in the street
They're dancing in Chicago (dancing in the street) (note 4)
Down in New Orleans now (dancing in the street)
In New York City (dancing in the street)

Chorus
All we need is music, sweet music (sweet, sweet music)
And there'll be music everywhere (everywhere)
There'll be laughing, singing and music swinging
And dancing in the street
It doesn't matter what you wear
(Just as) long as you are there (note 5)
C'mon every guy, grab a girl
Everywhere around the world
And there'll be dancing (note 6)
Dancing in the street

This is an invitation across the nation
A chance for folks to meet
There'll be swinging, swaying and music playing (note 7)
And dancing in the street
Philadelphia PA (dancing in the streets)
Baltimore and DC now (dancing in the streets)
Can't forget the Motor City (dancing in the streets)

[chorus]

This is an invitation across the nation (note 8)
A chance for folks to meet
There'll be laughing, singing, and music swinging
Dancing in the street
Philadelphia PA (dancing in the streets)
Baltimore and DC now (dancing in the streets)
Down in LA every day
Dancing in the streets

Come alive around the world
Are you ready for a brand new beat
'Cause summer's here and the time is right
For dancing in the street
They're dancing in Chicago (dancing in the streets)
Down in New Orleans now (dancing in the streets)
In New York City (dancing in the streets)

[chorus]

Down in LA every day (note 9)
Dancing in the street
Big long line, get in time
Dancing in the street
Across the ocean blue, [New York too]
Dancing in the street
Yeah all round the world, boys and girls
Dancing in the street

Dick's Picks 8 (1970)
C'mon now we're dancing
Dancing in the street
Hey c'mon now we're dancing
Hey c'mon now we're dancing
Hey c'mon now we're dancing
Hey c'mon, hey

Dick's Picks 3 (1977)
Dancing, dancing, dancing in the street
Dancing, dancing, dancing in the street
Dancing, dancing, dancing in the street
Dancing, dancing, dancing in the street
[etc]