They Dance Alone

Sting

About They Dance Alone

"They Dance Alone (Cueca Solo)" is a protest song composed by English musician Sting and published first on his 1987 album ... Nothing Like the Sun; the song was the fifth and final single released from the album. The song is a metaphor referring to mourning Chilean women (arpilleristas) who dance the Cueca, the national dance of Chile, alone with photographs of their disappeared loved ones in their hands. Sting was accompanied by Eric Clapton, Fareed Haque and Mark Knopfler on guitar with Rubén Blades providing additional Spanish vocals.  


Year:
2011
7:13
53 
#3

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Why are these women here dancing on their own? 
Why is there this sadness in their eyes? 
Why are the soldiers here 
Their faces fixed like stone? 
I can't see what it is they despise 
They're dancing with the missing 
They're dancing with the dead 
They dance with the invisible ones 
Their anguish is unsaid 
They're dancing with their fathers 
They're dancing with their sons 
They're dancing with their husbands 
They dance alone 
They dance alone 

It's the only form of protest they're allowed 
I've seen their silent faces scream so loud 
If they were to speak these words 
They'd go missing too 
Another woman on the torture table 
What else can they do 
They're dancing with the missing 
They're dancing with the dead 
They dance with the invisible ones 
Their anguish is unsaid 
They're dancing with their fathers 
They're dancing with their sons 
They're dancing with their husbands 
They dance alone 
They dance alone 

One day we'll dance on their graves 
One day we'll sing our freedom 
One day we'll laugh in our joy 
And we'll dance 
One day we'll dance on their graves 
One day we'll sing our freedom 
One day we'll laugh in our joy 
And we'll dance 

Ellas danzan con los desaparecidos 
Ellas danzan con los muertos 
Ellas danzan con amores invisibles 
Ellas danzan con silenciosa angistia 
Danzan con sus padres 
Danzan con sus hijos 
Danzan con sus esposos 
Ellas danzan solas 
Danzan solas 

Hey Mr. Pinochet 
You've sown a bitter crop 
It's foreign money that supports you 
One day the money's going to stop 
No wages for your torturers 
No budget for your guns 
Can you think of your own mother 
Dancin' with her invisible son 
They're dancing with the missing 
They're dancing with the dead 
They dance with the invisible ones 
Their anguish is unsaid 
They're dancing with their fathers 
They're dancing with their sons 
They're dancing with their husbands 
They dance alone 
They dance alone

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Sting

Gordon Matthew Thomas SumnerCBE (born 2 October 1951), known by his stage name Sting, is an English musician, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, activist, actor and philanthropist. Prior to starting his solo career, he was the principal songwriter, lead singer and bassist for the rock band The Police. more »

20 fans

Written by: Gordon Sumner

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song Background
"They Dance Alone" is a song by British singer-songwriter Sting from his second solo studio album, "...Nothing Like the Sun," released in 1987.
Political Themes
The song carries a heavy political message, being a protest against the Pinochet regime in Chile. It is dedicated to the women who would dance alone in the streets holding pictures of their loved ones who had disappeared during the political unrest.
Language Variations
"They Dance Alone" was recorded in both Spanish and English, with the Spanish version titled "Ellas Danzan Solas". Sting performed both versions during his live concerts.
Collaborations
The song features several other famous artists, including Mark Knopfler on guitar and Rubén Blades providing additional vocals.
Amnesty International
Sting performed "They Dance Alone" during the Human Rights Now! benefit concerts for Amnesty International in 1988, further highlighting the political significance of the song.
Dance Symbolism
The dance alone concept of the song is a reference to the Cueca Sola dance, a variation of the traditional Chilean dance Cueca, performed by women alone as a symbol of protest.
Album Success
"They Dance Alone" contributed to the overall critical success of the "...Nothing Like the Sun" album, which went double platinum and peaked at number 9 on the Billboard 200 chart.
Impact on Career
The political nature of "They Dance Alone" established Sting’s reputation as a socially conscious musician, a theme he has continued to explore throughout his career.
Music Video
The song features an emotional music video, depicting women dancing alone with photos of their loved ones, in line with the song's concept.
Public Reception
"They Dance Alone" was well received by the public and critics alike, praising the relevance and depth of its political message.

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