Barry Blue: Do You Wanna Dance? Single (1973)

A Glam Pop Dancefloor Filler

Barry Blue’s “Do You Wanna Dance?” 7-inch vinyl single, was released in the UK on October 12, 1973, on Bell Records (catalogue: BELL 1336). Backed with “Don’t Put Your Money On My Horse,” this infectious glam pop track, written by Blue and Lynsey de Paul, served as the lead single from his debut album, Hot Shots. Produced by Blue, the A-side’s upbeat rhythm and catchy chorus made it a dancefloor hit, peaking at No. 7 on the UK Singles Chart. Housed in a vibrant picture sleeve with Blue’s stylish image, the single captured his brief but bright glam rock moment.

Single Overview

A-Side: “Do You Wanna Dance?” (3:50) Written by Barry Blue and Lynsey de Paul. A lively glam pop anthem with bouncy piano, driving guitars, and Blue’s smooth vocals, inviting listeners to the dancefloor with a nod to ‘50s rock ‘n’ roll. Produced by Blue, it blended catchy hooks with glam’s glittery energy.

B-Side: “Don’t Put Your Money On My Horse” (3:15) Written by Barry Blue and Gerry Shury. A playful, mid-tempo pop track with quirky lyrics and a lighthearted groove, showcasing Blue’s knack for storytelling. Also produced by Blue, it complemented the A-side’s upbeat vibe.

Release Details:

Label: Bell Records (UK pressing, 45 RPM).

Formats:

7-Inch Vinyl (BELL 1336): “Do You Wanna Dance?” / “Don’t Put Your Money On My Horse.” In a picture sleeve with Blue’s image.

No cassette or CD formats for this single.

Notes: ℗ & © 1973 Bell Records. Matrix numbers (e.g., BELL 1336 A-1U) confirm authenticity. The single promoted Hot Shots (1974).

Country Variations

The single was released in several countries with variations:

UK (Bell BELL 1336): Released October 12, 1973. Tracklist: “Do You Wanna Dance?” / “Don’t Put Your Money On My Horse.” Picture sleeve with Blue’s photo.

Germany (Bell 2008 191): Released October 1973. Same tracklist, catalogue 2008 191, German sleeve with localized text.

Netherlands (Bell 2008 191): Released October 1973. Same tracklist, catalogue 2008 191, Dutch sleeve.

Australia (Bell K-5248): Released late 1973. Same tracklist, catalogue K-5248, company sleeve.

France (Bell 2008 191): Released October 1973. Same tracklist, catalogue 2008 191, French sleeve.

US: No confirmed single release; Blue’s success was primarily European.

Production and Context

Recorded in 1973 at Audio International Studios, London, the single was produced by Barry Blue, with session musicians including Gerry Shury (arrangements) and a backing band typical of glam-era productions. The A-side’s danceable groove reflected Blue’s songwriting partnership with de Paul, while the B-side’s quirkiness showed his versatility. Released during the glam rock peak, it followed Blue’s earlier hit “Dancin’ (On a Saturday Night)” and competed with Slade and Sweet, capitalizing on the UK’s pop craze.

Singles Released and Chart Performance

“Do You Wanna Dance?” was the lead single from Hot Shots:

Chart Performance:

UK: No. 7 (Official Singles Chart), charting for 11 weeks.

Germany: No. 9 (GfK).

Netherlands: No. 11 (Single Top 100).

Australia: No. 14 (Kent Music Report).

Ireland: No. 6.

Belgium: No. 19 (Ultratop Flanders).

France: No. 28.

Other Countries: No chart entries in US, Canada, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Italy, Spain, Austria, Switzerland, New Zealand, or Japan due to limited distribution.

UK Chart Data:

Entry Date: October 20, 1973.

Peak: No. 7 (November 3, 1973).

Weeks on Chart: 11 (Oct 20, 1973–Jan 5, 1974).

Chart Run: No. 22 (Oct 20), No. 12 (Oct 27), No. 7 (Nov 3), No. 8 (Nov 10), No. 9 (Nov 17), No. 11 (Nov 24), No. 14 (Dec 1), No. 18 (Dec 8), No. 22 (Dec 15), No. 27 (Dec 29), No. 32 (Jan 5).

Single Chart Performance

“Do You Wanna Dance?” peaked at No. 7 in the UK, charting for 11 weeks, and saw moderate success in Europe and Australia, driven by its infectious glam pop appeal.

Streams on Spotify via Hot Shots or Barry Blue compilations preserve the analog bounce. This single is a vibrant relic of ‘70s glam pop.

Have you snagged this Barry Blue gem in your vinyl collection? Does “Do You Wanna Dance?” get your feet moving? Share in the comments!