Private Dancer

Private Dancer is a wonderful pop ballad and remained unreleased from a Dire Straits recording session, because Mark Knopfler thought it’s a song for a woman. A special promo single with slightly different lyrics was released for airplay, because company advertising wasn’t allowed in England. Instead of „American Express Will Do Nicely, Thank You“ it features „A Few Pounds Sterling Will Do Nicely, Thank You“. The single was reviewed in Billboard magazine in it’s issue from January 12, 1985.

The music video was filmed at the Rivoli Ballroom in London. It shows Tina as a hostess, looking tired and pale. She is dancing with a man in a dance hall and after a while she starts to dream, experiencing several different scenes in which she looks beautiful in a sequin dress. As she wakes up, she sees the sad reality again and turns away from her dance partner, running out of the room. The video received a MTV Video Music Awards nomination in 1985 in the category 'Best Choreography‘. A longer version features an extended intro and instrumental part.

Writer: Mark Knopfler
Producer: John Carter
Photographer: Norman Seeff
Release: October '84 (Germany) / November '84 (USA) / January '85 (UK)
Format: 7“ Vinyl / 12“ Vinyl
Charts: USA: #7 / Europe: #12 / Germany: #20 / UK: #26 / Australia: #21
Music Video: 4:23 (short) / 5:25 (long) / Brian Grant (Director), Pam James (Producer)
Album: Private Dancer

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