Out on the Floor
1966 single by Dobie Gray
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Out On The Floor is a single by Dobie Gray. Since its release in 1966, it has become significant as a popular northern soul song. It has been referred to as the song that defines northern soul.[1][2]
| "Out On The Floor" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Dobie Gray | ||||
| A-side | "Out On The Floor" | |||
| B-side | "Be A Man" | |||
| Released | 1966 (U.S.), 1975 (UK) | |||
| Genre | Soul, pop | |||
| Label | Black Magic BM 107 | |||
| Songwriters | Darian, De Lory | |||
| Dobie Gray singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Background
The song was released in May, 1966 as a single backed by "No Room to Cry" on Charger CRG-115.[3] The track was included on his album, "Dobie Gray Sings for "In" Crowders That Go "Go-Go".[4] It was re-issued on the Black Magic label in 1975 (see record label).[5]
It charted twice in the UK. The first time was in 1975, when it reached No. 42, spending 8 weeks in the chart.[6] The second time was in 1983, when it settled in at No. 95. [7]
References in popular culture etc.
In Nick Hornby's book, Juliet, Naked, the song is referred to as the "National Anthem of Northern".[8] It is also mentioned in the book Oil and Honey: The Education of an Unlikely Activist by Bill McKibben,[9] Last Days of Disco by David F. Ross,[10] and more.
Releases
| Title | Label, cat | Year | Country | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Out On The Floor" / "No Room To Cry" | Charger CRG-115 | 1966 | US | Original Matrix / Runout (Side A runout, stamped): CR.2049 Matrix / Runout (Side B runout, stamped): CR.2050[11] |
| "Out On The Floor" / "No Room To Cry" | Reo 8943X | 1966 | Canada | [13] |
| "Out On The Floor" / "No Room To Cry" | Soul Sounds SS 1030 | 1970 | UK | Repro[14] |
| "Out On The Floor" / "No Room To Cry" | Charger Records CRG-115 | 1973 | US | Unofficial Release repro Matrix / Runout: CR 2049 (Scratched)[15] |
| "Out On The Floor" / "Be A Man" | Black Magic BM 107 | 1975 | UK | |
| The Biggest Northern Sound Of All Time "(I Get My Kicks) Out On The Floor" / "Be A Man" |
Destiny DS 1001 | 1979 | UK | |
| "Out On The Floor" / "Funky Funky Feelin'" | Inferno Soul Club BURN 2 | 1982 | UK | |
| "Out On The Floor" / "Out On The Floor (Neil's All Nighter Mix)" | Inferno Soul Club UK BURN 2 | 1983 | UK | Special Edition 7" |
| "Out On The Floor" / "The In Crowd" | Outta Sight OSV 077 | 2012 | UK | |
| "Out On The Floor" / "The Snake" | Goldmine Soul Supply Sevens GS 007 | UK | B side by Al Wilson[16] | |