Let’s Dance!

Written for Thursday Inspiration –
“Land of 1,000 Dances”

For this week’s Thursday Inspiration, Jim Adams asks us to respond to the challenge in any number of ways. I have chosen to feature the 1960s sensation, “Let’s Dance”.

Courtesy Jim Adams
Image created by Microsoft Copilot

Having someone form a record label specifically to promote your own product, has to be the ultimate form of flattery. That was precisely the case when Chris Montanez came under the wing of producer Jim Lee at the beginning of 1962. That first song they made together is now 65 years old.

Ezekiel Christopher Montanez was born in January 1943 in Los Angeles and grew up in nearby Hawthorne in a musical family. His brothers taught him to play guitar and at 15 he began to sing and write songs. He had attended the same school as the Beach Boys and recorded his first song, “She’s My Rockin’ Baby”. He idolized Richie Valens so he changed his name to Chris Montez and began performing in a style reminiscent of his hero. While some producers had been hoping to find another Buddy Holly in the wake of the February ’59 plane crash, Jim Lee set out searching for the man who would take on the mantle of Ritchie Valens; Chris Montez was that man. Following a regional breakout of his first single, Jim spotted Chris in a club and signed him up, forming the Monogram record label on which to issue Chris’ records. Jim Lee wrote “Let’s Dance” and gave it to his new protégé. The song highlighted many of the dance crazes of the day like the Stomp, the Mashed Potato, the Twist and the Watusi. The original vinyl single had a real thumping beat and featured famed session players, The Wrecking Crew, including members Ray Johnson (organ), Joel Hill (guitar), Ray Pohlman (bass), and Jesse Sailes (drums).

Global impact was realized when the song peaked at #4 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and #2 on the UK Singles Chart. It charted a second time in Europe after a 1962 re-release which led to a 1963 UK tour where Chris Montez actually headlined above a young rising band named The Beatles. The track later appeared in the classic 1978 comedy film Animal House.

“Let’s Dance” perfectly captures the carefree, youthful energy of the early 60s dance craze era, serving as a simple, joyful invitation to a romantic connection and shared experiences on the dance floor. The lyrics outline a classic teenage narrative: asking a crush to dance (“Hey, baby, won’t you take a chance?”), holding them close (“Hold me tight, don’t you let me go”), and hoping for a chance to walk them home afterward. The song presents dancing as a universal language for a connection that bypasses the need for heavy conversation or deeper commitment.

This is “Let’s Dance” by Chris Montez