Lose Yourself to Dance

"Lose Yourself to Dance"
Single by Daft Punk featuring Pharrell Williams
from the album Random Access Memories
Released	13 August 2013
Recorded	2012
Genre	Disco funk
Length	5:53 (album version) 4:09 (radio edit)
Label	Columbia
Songwriter(s)	Thomas Bangalter Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo Nile Rodgers Pharrell Williams
Producer(s)	Daft Punk
Daft Punk singles chronology
"Get Lucky" (2013) "Lose Yourself to Dance" (2013) "Doin' It Right" (2013)
Pharrell Williams singles chronology
"Get Like Me" (2013) "Lose Yourself to Dance" (2013) "Happy" (2013)
Music video
"Lose Yourself to Dance" on YouTube

"Lose Yourself to Dance" is a song by French electronic music duo Daft Punk featuring American singer-songwriter Pharrell Williams. Like their previous collaboration with American guitarist Nile Rodgers, "Get Lucky", the song was written for Daft Punk's fourth studio album Random Access Memories (2013).

The song was distributed to radio stations as the second single from the album on 13 August 2013, following the worldwide hit single "Get Lucky". Prior to this release, "Lose Yourself to Dance" charted in various countries, including France, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. In the UK, it joined the playlists of BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 2, and a number of commercial and smaller stations. It reached number 49 in the UK Singles Chart.

Composition

"Lose Yourself to Dance" is a disco and funk song in the key of B ♭ minor with a tempo of 100 BPM.^[1][2] Daft Punk expressed that the song was the result of a desire to create dance music with live drummers.^[3][4] Thomas Bangalter elaborated that they wished to redefine dance music as "something lighter or something more [primal]", and that the song is meant to evoke the sense of being unified and connected on the dance floor.^[5]

Pharrell Williams sings lead vocals on "Lose Yourself to Dance". Williams stated that the song "makes me feel like walking down the street in the middle of the night in London and it's 1984, 1985. I don't hear '70s in that at all." He also believed that David Bowie could theoretically have sung the song.^[5] Additional vocals are performed by Daft Punk using vocoders,^[6] which Nick DeCosemo of Mixmag felt resembled their 2001 song "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger".^[7]

Instrumentalists who perform on "Lose Yourself to Dance" include Nile Rodgers on guitar, Nathan East on bass, and John "J.R." Robinson on drums.^[8] Its "heavy beats" are said to resemble American rock singer Billy Squier's 1980 song "The Big Beat".^[7] Jeremy Abbott of Mixmag felt that, "Big multi-layered claps and thrashing cymbals also play a big part in driving the song forward."^[9]

In promotion of the 10th anniversary edition of the album, a video series called Memory Tapes was released throughout 2023.^[10] In Williams's episode, he revealed he did not expect his vocals to be on the finished versions of either song. The episode contains footage of Williams's reaction to the completed "Get Lucky" and "Lose Yourself to Dance" tracks for the first time.^[11]

One of the bonus tracks on the 10th anniversary edition is a demo without Rodgers called "LYTD (Vocoder Tests)".^[12]

Promotion

Pharrell Williams performed lead vocals for "Lose Yourself to Dance".

In the third episode of the promotional web series The Collaborators, Nile Rodgers performed a portion of "Lose Yourself to Dance", which was referred to only as "the song of the summer" by the interviewer.^[13] The title was later revealed through Columbia Records's official Vine account as part of a video relaying a series of images.^[14] A four-minute edit of the song was distributed to mainstream and rhythmic radio stations in the United States on 13 August 2013.^[15][16]

Music video

Rodgers stated that video footage had been shot for "Lose Yourself to Dance" at the same time that "Get Lucky" footage was being filmed.^[17] A trailer for "Lose Yourself to Dance" debuted at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards, featuring Daft Punk, Rodgers and Williams, who also presented the award for "Best Female Video" at the ceremony.^[18] The song-length version of the video was released on Daft Punk's official Vevo channel on 16 September 2013. Produced by Daft Arts, the music video was shot on 70mm film and was directed by Daft Punk, Warren Fu, Paul Hahn and Cédric Hervet.^[19][20]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Random Access Memories liner notes.^[8]

• Daft Punk – production, vocals
• Pharrell Williams – vocals
• Nile Rodgers – guitar
• Nathan East – bass
• John "J.R." Robinson – drums

Track listing

Promotional CD

1. "Lose Yourself to Dance" (radio edit) – 4:09
2. "Lose Yourself to Dance" (album version) – 5:53

Chart performance

Weekly charts Chart (2013–2014) Peak position Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[21] 32 Belgium Dance (Ultratop Flanders)[22] 5 Belgium Urban (Ultratop Flanders)[23] 7 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[24] 38 Belgium Dance (Ultratop Wallonia)[25] 9 France (SNEP)[26] 31 Iceland (Tónlist)[27] 30 Italy (FIMI)[28] 17 Ireland (IRMA)[29] 62 Mexico (Billboard Mexican Airplay)[30] 22 Mexico Anglo (Monitor Latino)[31] 8 South Korea (Gaon International Chart)[32] 1 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[33] 42 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[34] 59 UK Singles (OCC)[35] 49 US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[36] 3 US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[37] 10 US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[38] 1 US Rhythmic (Billboard)[39] 35

Year-end charts Chart (2013) Position Belgium (Ultratop Flanders Dance)[40] 40 Belgium (Ultratop Flanders Urban)[41] 31 Belgium (Ultratop Wallonia Dance)[42] 46 France (SNEP)[43] 114 South Korea (Gaon International Chart)[44] 54 US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[45] 28 US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[46] 16

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[47]	Platinum	80,000^‡
Italy (FIMI)[48]	Gold	15,000^‡
Mexico (AMPROFON)[49]	Gold	30,000^*
United Kingdom (BPI)[50]	Silver	200,000^‡
United States (RIAA)[51]	Platinum	1,000,000^‡
^* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region	Date	Format	Label
United States	13 August 2013	Mainstream radio[15]	Columbia
		Rhythmic radio[16]
Italy	30 August 2013	Mainstream radio[52]	Sony

See also

• List of number-one dance singles of 2013 (U.S.)

References

1. Lachman, Ed (April 30, 2013). "Daft Punk | Random Access Memories | The Collaborators, Episode 6: Chilly Gonzales". The Creators Project. YouTube. Retrieved April 30, 2013.
2. Dudman, Phil (30 April 2013). "Phil Dudman: Random Access Memories Review". Mixmag. London. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
3. Manoeuvre, Philippe (May 2013). "En couverture: Daft Punk". Rock & Folk (in French) (549). Paris: 74–81. Archived from the original on 2013-04-20. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
4. Ghosn, Joseph; Wicker, Olivier (18 April 2013). "Daft Punk Revient Avec Random Access Memories". Le Nouvel Observateur (in French). Paris. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
5. Polonsky, Sarah (Summer 2013). "Dancing with the Stars". Vibe (549). Retrieved 14 August 2013.
6. Horton, Matthew (30 April 2013). "First Listen – Daft Punk, Random Access Memories". NME. London. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
7. Decosimo, Nick (1 May 2013). "Album Review: Daft Punk - Random Access Memories". Mixmag. London. Archived from the original on 4 May 2013. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
8. Random Access Memories (liner notes). Daft Punk. Columbia Records. 2013.
9. Abbott, Jeremy (30 April 2013). "Jeremy Abbott: Random Access Memories Review". Mixmag. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
10. "Daft Punk share unseen 'Random Access Memories' studio footage in new 'Memory Tapes' interview series: Watch". DJMag.com. 2023-07-28. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
11. "Watch Pharrell Williams Hear Daft Punk's Finished Cut of "Get Lucky" for the First Time". Pitchfork. 2023-10-11. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
12. Grow, Kory (2023-02-22). "Daft Punk Reload 'Random Access Memories' With Unreleased Music". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
13. Lachman, Ed (April 11, 2013). "Daft Punk | Random Access Memories | The Collaborators, Episode 3: Nile Rodgers". The Creators Project. YouTube. Retrieved April 11, 2013. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)
14. Minsker, Evan and Phillips, Amy (16 April 2013). "Daft Punk Reveal Random Access Memories Tracklist Via Vine Video". Pitchfork Media. Pitchfork.com. Retrieved 16 April 2013. [...] The French robot duo have shared the album's track list via a Vine video. As previously reported, the album features collaborations with the Strokes' Julian Casablancas, Animal Collective's Panda Bear, Pharrell, Paul Williams, Nile Rodgers, Giorgio Moroder, Chilly Gonzales, DJ Falcon, and Todd Edwards.
15. "Top 40/M Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on 24 October 2009. Retrieved 9 August 2013.
16. "Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on 8 October 2009. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
17. Lachman, Ed (August 15, 2013). "Exclusive: Nile Rodgers On Shooting Videos For Daft Punk, Collaborating With David Guetta, Avicii". Vibe. vibe.com. Retrieved August 16, 2013.
18. Daft Punk VMA Appearance: The Robots Finally Emerge. mtv.com. Retrieved on August 25, 2013.
19. "Daft Punk 'Lose Yourself To Dance' Video Features, Pharrell, Robots, Nile Rodgers And Sparkles". The Huffington Post. 16 September 2013. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
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21. "Daft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams – Lose Yourself to Dance" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 9 August 2013.
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27. "Netlistinn viku 22, 2013" (in Icelandic). Tónlist. Archived from the original on 4 September 2013. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
28. "Daft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams – Lose Yourself to Dance". Top Digital Download. Retrieved 9 August 2013.
29. "Chart Track: Week 39, 2013". Irish Singles Chart.
30. "Mexico Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
31. "Top 20 Inglés Del 21 al 27 de Octubre, 2013". Monitor Latinoaccessdate=2018-05-02. 2013-10-27.
32. "GAON DIGITAL CHART : 2013년 6월 1주차" (in Korean). gaonchart.co.kr. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 22 February 2014.
33. "Daft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams – Lose Yourself to Dance". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 9 August 2013.
34. "Daft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams – Lose Yourself to Dance". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 9 August 2013.
35. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
36. "Daft Punk Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 13 June 2013.
37. "Daft Punk Chart History (Hot Dance/Electronic Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 13 June 2013.
38. "Dance Club Songs: November 2, 2013". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
39. Rhythmic : Sep 28, 2013. Billboard biz. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
40. JAAROVERZICHTEN 2013 : Dance (in Dutch). ultratop.be/nl. Hung Medien. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
41. JAAROVERZICHTEN 2013 : Urban (in Dutch). ultratop.be/nl. Hung Medien. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
42. RAPPORTS ANNUELS 2013 : Dance (in French). ultratop.be/fr. Hung Medien. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
43. "Top de l'année Top Singles 2013" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
44. "GAON DIGITAL CHART : 2013" (in Korean). gaonchart.co.kr. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
45. "Dance/Electronic Songs: 2013 Year-end". Billboard.com. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
46. Dance Club Songs: 2013 Year-End. Billboard.com. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
47. "Canadian single certifications – Daft Punk – Lose Yourself to Dance". Music Canada. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
48. "Italian single certifications – Daft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams – Lose Yourself to Dance" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana.
49. "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Type Daft Punk in the box under the ARTISTA column heading and Lose Yourself to Dance in the box under the TÍTULO column heading.
50. "British single certifications – Daft Punk ft Pharrell Williams – Lose Yourself to Dance". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
51. "American single certifications – Daft Punk – Lose Yourself to Dance". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
52. "Daft Punk – Lose yourself to dance (Sony)" (in Italian). Radio Airplay SRL. Archived from the original on 14 September 2013. Retrieved 14 September 2013.