Josh Turner’s chart-topping single, “Why Don’t We Just Dance,” released in 2009 as the lead track from his Haywire album, quickly became a beloved country hit and a staple on dance floors. This infectious tune, penned by the talented trio of Jim Beavers, Darrell Brown, and Jonathan Singleton, resonated deeply with audiences, securing Turner his third No. 1 spot in February 2010 and achieving gold certification by May of the same year. But what’s the story behind this feel-good anthem? In interviews with The Boot, Beavers, Brown, and Singleton themselves revealed the magic behind the making of “Why Don’t We Just Dance.”
The Genesis of a Groove: R&B Inspiration for a Country Hit
Darrell Brown recalls the songwriting session as a fresh and creatively fertile experience. Having previously collaborated with Jonathan Singleton, this marked his first foray into writing with Jim Beavers. The synergy between the three songwriters was immediate, leading them down a path less traveled in country music at the time. “We expended everything, and that different groove came out,” Brown explained, highlighting the unique sonic direction they were exploring.
The core idea for “Why Don’t We Just Dance” sprung from a desire to create a song that offered an escape. As Brown recounts, “We came up with the idea of writing a song about not caring about anything else in the world.” It was Jim Beavers who then sparked the title and central theme of the song. “Jim mentioned ‘Why Don’t We Just Dance,'” Brown continued, “Jonathan and I looked at each other and said, ‘I love that!'” This simple yet powerful phrase encapsulated the carefree spirit they aimed for, evolving into “a song about just throwing all your cares away and [being] happy.”
Crafting the Lyrics and the Vibe of “Why Don’t We Just Dance”
Jonathan Singleton shed light on the musical ambition driving the song’s creation. Inspired by the success of “Don’t,” a song he and Beavers wrote for Billy Currington, they were eager to infuse more R&B influences into their songwriting. “After Jim and I wrote ‘Don’t’ [for Billy Currington], we were interested in doing more R&B groove stuff in our songs,” Singleton stated. This desire to blend genres is evident in the song’s rhythmic feel, although, as Singleton noted, its ultimate trajectory was somewhat unexpected.
Jim Beavers elaborated on the specific musical texture they were aiming for. “I do distinctly remember wanting to write a cool, greasy kind of shuffle feel [song],” Beavers shared. The challenge lay in capturing this vintage vibe while ensuring the song sounded contemporary and relevant to modern audiences. This balancing act between retro inspiration and modern production is a key element of “Why Don’t We Just Dance”‘s enduring appeal.
The songwriting process wasn’t without its hurdles. Beavers revealed the common struggle songwriters face with the second verse. “For me, second verses are always the real ‘sticking point’ of writing a song,” he admitted. To overcome this, they focused on maintaining the narrative’s immediacy and character consistency. “I remember us slaving over which direction we should go. I’ve learned that ‘keeping them in the moment’ is usually the right direction, so I just asked, ‘Well, what would that guy say next?'” This approach led to the relatable scenario of the song’s protagonist initially suggesting his partner dress up, then quickly changing his mind in favor of staying in and dancing.
Adding a touch of humor to the story, Beavers chuckled about a lyrical quirk they almost missed. “The funniest thing I remember is realizing that we rhymed the word ‘on’ with the not-very-different-sounding word ‘on’ in that verse … but somehow we got away with it!” This lighthearted anecdote underscores the organic and sometimes serendipitous nature of songwriting.
From Studio to Dance Floors: The Unexpected Dance Hit
While rooted in R&B and shuffle grooves, “Why Don’t We Just Dance” took an unexpected turn towards becoming a line dance favorite. Singleton pointed out this interesting evolution, noting, “The song kind of ended up being a line dance by the end of it, but we never set it out to be that way.” Despite not being intentionally crafted as a dance song, its infectious rhythm and positive message naturally lent itself to dance floors.
Singleton also highlighted a subtle layer of depth within the upbeat track. “The idea was, all this stuff is happening, and it’s bad,” he explained, referencing real-world issues. “I thought it was nice that we had ideas in there about things going on in the world; we were able to sneak those ideas into a kind-of dance tune.” This underlying awareness of the world’s complexities, juxtaposed with the simple act of dancing, adds a layer of resonance to the song’s escapist theme.
In conclusion, “Why Don’t We Just Dance” by Josh Turner is more than just an earworm; it’s a testament to the magic that happens when creative minds converge with a shared vision. Born from a desire to blend R&B grooves with country sensibilities and to offer a joyful escape, this song’s journey from a songwriting session to dance floors worldwide is a story of musical serendipity and the timeless appeal of letting loose and simply dancing.
