In terms of debut singles, they don’t come much better – or much chirpier – than Shannon Smith’s ‘Dance The Night Away’. The Australian singer songwriter unleashed his near perfect tribute to 70s AM radio pop earlier in 2023, and it’s one of those songs that’s so unbelievably catchy, you might even feel as if it’s an old number he’s resurrected.
Between a bright vocal, a very McCartney and Jellyfish inspired rhythm and the help of a wordless hook, Smith has shared something that’s a perfect match for the sentiment within. Written as a celebration of his relationship with fellow Aussie musician Helen Townsend, the track almost conveys them as the perfect “Brady Bunch” couple, and the tune now has a bright and optimistic video to match.
The audio has previously been featured in an earlier Singles Bar feature here at Real Gone, but we feel the visuals kick the brilliantly unashamed pop into a higher gear, really conveying Smith’s rose-tinted world. At the point this video was unleashed into the world, the song found itself at #1 on the Australian Independent Recordings chart, and every success is deserved. If you’ve yet to make Shannon Smith’s acquaintance, it’s time to let ‘Dance The Night Away’ provide the perfect introduction.