Private Dancer (song)

For Danny Fernandes song, see Private Dancer (Danny Fernandes song).

"Private Dancer"
Single by Tina Turner
from the album Private Dancer
B-side	"Keep Your Hands Off My Baby" "Nutbush City Limits" (live) (US)
Released	October 28, 1984
Format	Vinyl CD single Digital download Cassette
Recorded	1984
Genre	Jazz-Rock, R&B, soul
Length	7:11 (Album version) 3:54 (7" edit)
Label	Capitol
Writer(s)	Mark Knopfler
Producer	John Carter
Tina Turner singles chronology
"Better Be Good to Me" (1984) "Private Dancer" (1984) "I Can't Stand the Rain" (1985)

"Private Dancer" is a hit song recorded by Tina Turner, and written by Mark Knopfler. It is the title track of Tina Turner's most successful album, Private Dancer. The song is viewed from the perspective of a high-class prostitute, and it reached number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number three on the US R&B chart. The song had moderate international success, reaching number twenty-six on the UK Singles Chart.

Background

The song was originally going to be included on the Dire Straits album Love over Gold. After the song was recorded, however, the vocals were not added. Mark Knopfler considered that they were not suitable for a male to sing, so the track was cut from the final mix.^{[citation needed]} Legal restrictions prevented the original recording from being used, so two years after it was recorded, the track was remade by Dire Straits for Tina Turner. The original drummer Pick Withers had been replaced by Terry Williams. Also, Knopfler did not feature on the track and was replaced by Jeff Beck.

The music video, featuring dance choreography by Arlene Phillips, was directed by Brian Grant and filmed at London's Rivoli Ballroom. [1] [2]

Personnel

• Jeff Beck: Lead guitar
• John Illsley: Bass guitar
• Alan Clark: Piano, Hammond organ, percussion
• Guy Fletcher: Synthesizers
• Hal Lindes: Rhythm guitar
• Terry Williams: Drums
• Mel Collins: Saxophone

Versions and mixes

• 7" edit – 3:54
• Album version a.k.a. Full Length Mix (12") – 7:11

Chart performance

Chart (1984/85)	Peak position
Australia ARIA Singles Chart	21
French Singles Chart	7
German Singles Chart	20
Irish Singles Chart	14
Swiss Singles Chart	8
UK Singles Chart	26
U.S. Billboard R&B Singles	3
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	7
U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary	30