The song was initially a global hit in 2001 for his co-writer, Sophie Ellis-Bextor on her LP Read My Lips, and reached #2 on the UK singles charts in 2002. But last year it equaled its original chart position and saw a global resurgence due in large part to it being used in a pivotal scene, which Alexander coined to Billboard as the “sadly oft true to life” Saltburn.
The song was also covered by Interscope Aussie indie duo Royel Otis. Their version hit #1 on Billboard’s Alternative Airplay chart and became one of Australia’s biggest songs of 2024, whilst sparking a global bidding war.
Alexander originally planned “Murder On The Dancefloor” to be the 1st single for his band’s critically acclaimed platinum debut, Maybe You’ve Been Brainwashed, Too. But after writing “You Get What You Give” not only did “Murder” not become a single it was abandoned for inclusion on their debut LP.
But in March last year Alexander shared a snippet of his original “Murder On The Dancefloor” demo in a viral Guardian interview just before “soft releasing” his demo’s full length version on DSP’s in support of Kamala Harris the week she accepted the Chicago DNC Presidential nomination. The song also honored Doug Emhoff and Michelle Obama both sharing “You Get What You Give” as their “walk on” music at the DNC‘s August, 2024 convention when they spoke in immediate succession.
This year’s BMI Award for “Murder On The Dancefloor” coincides with Alexander winning the rights organization’s coveted song of the year award two decades back for his Santana/Michelle Branch “The Game Of Love“, which also won a Grammy for best pop collaboration with vocals. This year’s BMI song of the year winner was Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things”.
Alexander, who sadly lost his mom in March, was going through boxes and came upon a lost DVD of his band’s only live “hatless” performance of his mid 2000’s Santana classic. A song both Tina Turner and Macy Gray sang, and Michelle Branch won a Grammy for, but Gregg’s live version has never been seen online!
Says Alexander:
“Sophie’s ‘Murder On The Dancefloor’ resurgence tragically happened between 2024’s untimely passing of my dad in mid-May and the following March loss of my heartbroken mom, as often happens when a family caretaker spouse unexpectedly passes.
“So after seven weeks by my mom’s hospital bedside, alongside “Unwritten” author and New Radical Danielle Brisebois and my big sister too, when the phone rang and BMI’s Barbara Cane surprised me “Murder” was winning a BMI award—-she also shared wise personal advice.
“Which is: anyone hospitalized can hear and feel you are there! So they will benefit from their fave music playin’ and hearing words of support. So always speak aloud of life’s best memories— because your loved ones can still hear you amidst your love and eminent security!
“This inspired me to drive to Public Storage to sift through dozens of ‘boxes of memories.’ Like 80’s solo writing tapes and, to wax poetic, yoga-nurse bic pic lisa p GPP Municipal receipts! 90’s reels and ‘house bros’ played ‘Buisness!’ loan gestures!? Even 2000’s nut The Mob hoe ‘JT5 bus assault toys!’ Troll’s racist voicemail rolls from years of yore—that’s a quadruple rhyme!
“But most blessedly CD’s of mom’s fave 70’s Carpenters tunes to play her—instead of the heart wrenching tapes my retch sobbing dad made weeks before passing. To frankly shed light on the ‘disowned stalker heathen Aiuto,’ to quote my dad and means ‘Help in Italian!’, and those will shake down hour vids ghostwriters visits dad encountered last May.
“So when I stumbled upon a DVD of Dani and my only New Rad-era filmed “hatless” performance we felt a brief respite from those events. Us soon blastin’ music at BMI’s office whom christened it a sweet time capsule of my sarcastic “No Mayo!” mom’s fave song of mine, ‘The Game Of Love.’
“Watch in memoriam of last month being the one year mark of my lovably unique dad Tony’s passing. And honoring now above much missed BMI CEO Frances W Preston! And also with thanks for BMI’s current ‘sage advice’ VP Barbara Cane (and my greatly missed mum Sharon!) please watch New Rad’s one-off ‘dancin’ on the tables’ song of the year performance from two decades back. To quote Adele, from ‘When we were young!'”
SOURCE Big Hassle Media
