Remembering Luther Vandross' "Dance with My Father" 10 Years After the Crooner's Passing
10 years ago, the world lost the velvet-voiced crooner Luther Vandross on July 1st. One of Vandross' signature hits, "Dance with My Father," came out a couple of years before his death. The song was an instant hit making its way to Billboard AC Chart at #4. "Dance with My Father" became one of the most requested songs at the time. During the 2003 Grammy Awards, "Dance with My Father" earned Vandross the Song of the Year and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance accolades.
Written with Richard Marx, who like Vandross had lost a dad, the song is autobiographical for the two songwriters. For Vandross, "Dance with my Father" is a tribute to his father, Luther Vandross, Sr., who died due to complications of diabetes. Vandross was seven when his father died. According to Marx, writing the song was emotional for Vandross because it is "a subject matter [Vandross] hadn't written before."
On the backdrop of strings and interplay of piano and drums, Vandross recalls fond memories with his late father who used to dance with his mother. Mary Ida, his mother, says, "I was amazed at how well Luther remembered his father, how we used to dance and sing in the house. I was so surprised that at 7 1/2 years of age, he could remember what a happy household we had." Barry Walters of Rolling Stone magazine qualifies the memories invoked in the lyrics as painful and private, adding that when Vandross asks God to return his father, it "turn a potentially maudlin song into a meditative, deeply personal prayer."
At the time of "Dance with my Father's" release as a single on May 30, 2003, Vandross had been hospitalized due to his suffering from stroke. While Vandross was hospitalized, a music video was shot for the single. Hosting famous friends of his and fans alike, the clip features musicians, actors and sport stars. The video features childhood snapshots of Vandross.
One of the singers who made appearance on the video is Beyoncé, alongside her father, Mathew. Knowles had collaborated with Vandross in the remake of the 1978 song "The Closer I Get To You", which also appears on "Dance With My Father" album.
Dance with My Father:
Back when I was a child
Before life removed all the innocence
My father would lift me high
And dance with my mother and me
And then
Spin me around 'till I fell asleep
Then up the stairs he would carry me
And I knew for sure
I was loved
If I could get another chance
Another walk
Another dance with him
I'd play a song that would never ever end
How I'd love love love
To dance with my father again
When I and my mother
Would disagree
To get my way I would run
From her to him
He'd make me laugh just to comfort me
yeah yeah
Then finally make me do
Just what my mama said
Later that night when I was asleep
He left a dollar under my sheet
Never dreamed that he
Would be gone from me
If I could steal one final glance
One final step
One final dance with him
I'd play a song that would never ever end
Cause I'd love love love to
Dance with my father again
Sometimes I'd listen outside her door
And I'd hear how mama would cry for him
I'd pray for her even more than me
I'd pray for her even more than me
I know I'm praying for much to much
But could you send her
The only man she loved
I know you don't do it usually
But Dear Lord
She's dying to dance with my father again
Every night I fall asleep
And this is all I ever dream
Songwriters
Vandross, Luther / Marx, Richard
Tags : luther vandross dance with my father luther vandross tribute Richard Marx Beyonce Beyonce Knowles richard marx news luther vandross news luther vandross latest luther vandross death luther vandross death anniversary
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