LAND OF 1000 DANCES

Live 16 Jul 1994 version

Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na
Say it, now!
(Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na)
One more time, now!
(Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na)
Ah, just a-one more time, now!
(Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na) Are you ready, band?

Do you know how to pony?
Like Bony Moronie
Do you know how to twist?
Yeah, goin’ like this

Now, the mashed potato
Just do the gator
One more time!

(Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na)
(Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na)
Whoa!

Ooh, yeah, baby!

[Southside Johnny:] Okay there.
[Bruce Springsteen:] Yo, Bobby!
[Southside Johnny:] I'm gonna start this rhythm with eh, eh, eh, eh... Hey!
[Bruce Springsteen:] Say!

Page last updated: 19 Feb 2012

Intro

LAND OF 1000 DANCES is a song written and first recorded by Chris Kenner in 1962. See the original Chris Kenner version for more details. Cannibal & The Headhunters recorded a cover in 1965, and their version was the first to use the famous "na na na na na" hook, which constitute most of Springsteen's uses of the song. See the original Cannibal & The Headhunters version for more details.

13 Sep 2003 Performance

The above lyrics are for the live 16 Jul 1994 performance of LAND OF 1000 DANCES at The Stone Pony Tent in Asbury Park, NJ, with Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes. LAND OF 1000 DANCES was segued into from a performance of FUNKY BROADWAY.

This was The Stone Pony's twentieth anniversary celebration. Bruce Springsteen, along with Max Weinberg, Patti Scialfa, and Jon Bon Jovi, joined Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes onstage for a seven-song set.

Ticket stub for the 16 Jul 1994 show at The Stone Pony Tent, Asbury Park, NJ
[Taken from Brucebase]

Live History

As far as it's known, Bruce Springsteen performed LAND OF 1000 DANCES in full four times in his career, all during off-tour performances.

[Click here to display/hide detailed known off-tour performances list]

Additionally, LAND OF 1000 DANCES chant has been one of Springsteen's favorite songs to insert a bit of into other songs live (often the "na na na" hook, and sometimes even full sections of lyric). Such performances include (but are probably not limited to):

The chant during Patti Smith's guest "rant" in the middle of the 30 Oct 1976 performance of ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT). See the live 30 Oct 1976 version of ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT).
Sometimes during the DETROIT MEDLEY on The River Tour.
Sometimes as an intro to CADILLAC RANCH on the Born In The USA Tour.
Regularly during LIGHT OF DAY on the Tunnel Of Love Express Tour.
During the only performance of LIGHT OF DAY on the Amnesty International Human Rights Now! Tour.
During LIGHT OF DAY on 02 Mar 1998 at Nick's Fat City in Pittsburgh, PA, with Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers.
Regularly during LIGHT OF DAY on The Reunion Tour.
During LIGHT OF DAY on 03 Nov 2000 at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ, during the first (2000) annual Light Of Day benefit, with Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers.
During MARY'S PLACE on 07 Mar 2003 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ, on The Rising Tour.
During LIGHT OF DAY on 06 Nov 2004 at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ, during the fifth (2004) annual Light Of Day benefit, with Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers.
During the DETROIT MEDLEY on 05 Jun 2009 at Stockholms Stadion in Stockholm, Sweden, on the Working On A Dream Tour.
During LIGHT OF DAY on 15 Jan 2011 at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ, during the eleventh (2011) annual Light Of Day benefit, with Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers, Willie Nile, and Dawne Allyne.

Available Versions

List of available versions of LAND OF 1000 DANCES on this website:

Credits

Thanks Jake (ol'catfishinthelake at BTX and Greasy Lake).