Scared to Dance

Scared to Dance
File:Skids - Scared To Dance.jpg
Studio album by Skids
Released	23 February 1979
Recorded	1978 at Air Studios, London
Genre	Punk rock
Length
Label	Virgin
Producer	David Batchelor
Skids chronology
Wide Open (1978)Wide Open1978 Scared to Dance (1979) Days in Europa (1979)Days in Europa1979
Singles from Scared to Dance
"The Saints Are Coming" Released: October 1978 "Into the Valley" Released: 16 February 1979

Scared to Dance is the debut studio album by Scottish new wave band Skids. It was released on 23 February 1979 by record label Virgin.

Writing

Anti-war themes are a recurring motif in the album. There are also a great deal of references in singer Richard Jobson's lyrics to the band's home region in Scotland.

Music and production

Scared to Dance was produced by David Batchelor and engineered by Mick Glossop.

Scared to Dance was the first album to feature Stuart Adamson's 'bagpipe guitar', which would be the trademark of his later band Big Country.

Release

The album was preceded by the single "Into the Valley", released on 16 February 1979, which reached No. 10 in the UK Singles Chart. Scared to Dance was released on 23 February, reaching No. 19 on the UK Albums Chart.

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic
Smash Hits	9/10

Scared to Dance has been well-received by critics. Ira Robbins of Trouser Press called the album "excellent [...] Using loud guitar and semi-martial drumming for its basis, Jobson's hearty singing sounds like an 18th century general leading his merry troops down from the hills into glorious battle."

Legacy

The song "The Saints Are Coming" was later covered by Green Day and U2 and released as a charity single, reaching #1 in several countries.

"Into the Valley" became popular as adopted and sung by fans of Dunfermline Athletic F.C., the band's local football team, as well as Charlton Athletic F.C. in England whose ground is known as The Valley.

Scared To Dance is also the name of a club and gig night in London founded in 2009.

Track listing

All lyrics written by Richard Jobson, all music composed by Stuart Adamson.

Side A
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Into the Valley"	3:17
2.	"Scared to Dance"	3:19
3.	"Of One Skin"	2:29
4.	"Dossier (Of Fallibility)"	3:31
5.	"Melancholy Soldiers"	3:02
6.	"Hope and Glory"	3:17

Side B
No.	Title	Length
7.	"The Saints Are Coming"	2:41
8.	"Six Times"	2:10
9.	"Calling the Tune"	4:03
10.	"Integral Plot"	2:39
11.	"Charles" (1979 re-recording, composed Adamson)	2:43
12.	"Scale"	4:43

2005 reissue bonus tracks
No.	Title	Length
13.	"Charles" (original 1978 Charles EP version)	2:35
14.	"Sweet Suburbia" (non-album single A-side, 1978)	2:25
15.	"Open Sound" ("Sweet Suburbia" single B-side, 1978)	1:53
16.	"TV Stars" ("Into the Valley" single B-side, 1979, recorded live at the Marquee, London, 1 November 1978)	1:44
17.	"Night and Day" (Wide Open EP B-side, 1978)	2:38
18.	"Contusion" (Wide Open EP B-side, 1978)	2:43
19.	"Reasons" (Charles EP, 1978)	2:08
20.	"Test Tube Babies" (Charles EP, 1978)	2:04

Personnel

Skids

• Richard Jobson – vocals, guitar
• Chris Jenkins – guitar
• Stuart Adamson – guitar
• William Simpson – bass guitar
• Thomas Kellichan – drums

Additional personnel

• David Batchelor – piano, production

Technical personnel

• Mick Glossop – engineering
• Steve Prestage – engineering assistance
• Russell Mills – sleeve artwork
• Dennis Morris – sleeve photography

External links

• Scared to Dance at Discogs (list of releases)