“Stolen Dance” by Milky Chance

Apparently, based on Clemens Rehbein’s own explanation of “Stolen Dance”, what we’re dealing with here is a song that is part reality and part fantasy. The reality of the situation is that the addressee is the vocalist’s romantic interest, but to his chagrin the two of them are separated.

That is what the verses are based on, i.e. his desire to reunite with her. And the “stolen dance” would be how he idealizes spending time with the addressee when and if they do get back together. In other words, he may not even be talking about dancing in the literal sense of the word. Rather the title itself is a metaphor which symbolizes the two of them joyfully reclaiming the time that was “stolen” from them while separated. In fact let it be noted that within the song itself, the words “stolen” and “dance” do not even actually appear together.

So the implication behind all of this would be like whatever has separated the singer from the addressee and vice versa was something neither of them wanted. Nor seemingly is there any guarantee that they will be reunited.

So that may be why the vocalist is feening, if you will, to see his lady. But that is not to imply that hope is lost. Why? Because he can very clearly foresee how she for instance will be “stoned in paradise” once they do find their way back into each other’s arms, then possessing such a fantasy would indicate that he believes such is actually possible.

“And I want you, we can bring it on the floor
You’ve never danced like this before
We don’t talk about it
Dancin’ on, doin’ the boogie all night long
Stoned in paradise
Shouldn’t talk about it
And I want you, we can bring it on the floor
You’ve never danced like this before
We don’t talk about it
Dancin’ on, doin’ the boogie all night long
Stoned in paradise
Shouldn’t talk about it
Shouldn’t talk about it”

Release Date of “Stolen Dance”

This song dates back to the days when Milky Chance consisted solely of frontmen Philipp Dausch alongside Clemens Rehbein, with the latter being the singer. In fact having officially gotten together in 2012, “Stolen Dance”, which came out on 9 May 2014, was their first single. It was the lead from their debut album “Sadnecessary”.

Success

And whereas it would be hasty to refer to Milky Chance as a one-hit wonder, this particular tune marks what is by far the most-successful song in their catalog. This is the case even as of the writing of this post, almost 10 years after the fact. For example, it reached number one in about a dozen countries. This included topping the following Billboard charts:

• Adult Alternative Songs
• Alternative Airplay
• Rock Airplay

“Stolen Dance” also replicated the above feat on the UK Indie Chart. Furthermore, it also proved to the number one song in Poland for the entire years of 2014.

And around the entire globe, it charted in 30 nations. Moreover this song achieved multi-platinum status in in a handful a countries, most notably going quadruple-platinum in Australia and Canada and double-platinum in the USA.

Did Milky Chance experience an overnight Success?

No. To say that Milky Chance became an overnight success with the blowing up of “Stolen Dance” would be an understatement. For instance the aforementioned Sadnecessary was recorded entirely in Clemens Rehbein’s home studio. And it actually took them a good three years to put this particular track together.

In fact one of the earlier versions made its way onto YouTube in September of 2012.  And apparently the massive success of Stolen Dance had a lot to do with its own video, as uploaded onto YouTube about a month prior the audio’s official release.  As a matter of fact as of the writing of this post said clip has amassed nearly 700,000,000 views.

Writing Credits

Stolen Dance was written by Clemens Rehbein. And he and his musical partner, Philipp Dausch, produced the song.  And to note the two of them are actually childhood friends.

The label that put this song out is Lichtdicht Records, which likewise is based in Kassel, i.e. the German city where Milky Chance comes from.