Introduction

Australian singer-songwriter Toni Watson, better known as Tones and I, is the artist behind the global smash hit ‘Dance Monkey’. The song has been streamed over 1.5 billion times on Spotify and was the most played song of 2019 in 28 countries, including Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It also topped the Billboard Hot 100 for four consecutive weeks. But who is Tones and I, and what is the story behind this international success? In this article, we explore the singer-songwriter and her hit single ‘Dance Monkey’.

A Profile of Tones and I, the Artist Behind ‘Dance Monkey’

Toni Watson was born in Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia in 1996. She grew up playing the violin and guitar, and took up busking around the age of 16. She moved to Byron Bay in 2018 with the intention of becoming a full-time musician. It was here that she adopted her stage name “Tones and I”, which is a play on the phrase “tones and eyes” – a reference to her love of music and visual art.

In January 2019, Tones and I released her debut single, ‘Johnny Run Away’, which was met with critical acclaim. This was followed by her second single, ‘Dance Monkey’, in May 2019. The song quickly gained traction on streaming services such as Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube, and went on to become an international hit.

The Story Behind the Hit Song ‘Dance Monkey’

According to Tones and I, the inspiration for ‘Dance Monkey’ came from her experience busking in Byron Bay. She noticed that the same people would come to watch her every day, and they began to expect something new each time. She said: “I thought, ‘What would happen if I wrote a song about them?’ That’s when I wrote ‘Dance Monkey’.”

The song was written and recorded over the course of two days in April 2019. Tones and I worked with producer Konstantin Kersting to create the track, which features her vocals layered over a simple drumbeat and piano melody. The song was then released on streaming services in May 2019.

Exploring the Lyrics and Meaning of ‘Dance Monkey’

The lyrics of ‘Dance Monkey’ tell the story of a performer trying to keep their audience entertained. In the chorus, Tones and I sings: “They say, ‘Oh my God, I see the way you shine/Take your hand, my dear, and place them both in mine/You know you stopped me dead when I was passing by/And now I beg to see you dance just one more time.” Here, the narrator is pleading with the audience to keep dancing and enjoy the performance.

The song also touches on themes of fame and celebrity. In the bridge, Tones and I sings: “They say, ‘Move for me, move for me, move for me, yeah/And when you’re done, I’ll make you do it all again.’ This line is a nod to the pressure placed on celebrities to constantly entertain and perform for their fans.

How Tones and I’s ‘Dance Monkey’ Became an International Hit

The music video for ‘Dance Monkey’ was directed by Australian filmmaker Liam Kelly and released in June 2019. The video features Tones and I performing the song in various locations around Byron Bay, including a beach, a forest, and a parking lot. The video has since amassed over 1.3 billion views on YouTube.

In addition to the music video, Tones and I used social media to promote the song. She posted regularly on Instagram and Twitter, and even created a TikTok account with the handle @tonesandi, which has since grown to over 8 million followers. The song was also featured on popular playlists such as ‘Today’s Top Hits’ and ‘New Music Friday’, helping to spread its popularity further.

The song’s success was reflected in the charts. It topped the charts in 28 countries, including Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It also reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, where it remained for four consecutive weeks. According to the Official Charts Company, ‘Dance Monkey’ was the most played song of 2019 in the UK.

An Analysis of Tones and I’s Musical Style in ‘Dance Monkey’

Musically, ‘Dance Monkey’ is an upbeat pop song with elements of folk and hip-hop. The instrumentation consists of a simple drum beat and piano melody, with Tones and I’s vocals layered over the top. Her vocal delivery is confident and catchy, and her lyrics are cleverly written and easy to relate to.

The song has been praised for its use of minimalistic production techniques. Speaking to The Guardian, Tones and I said: “I wanted to keep it minimal so that the focus was on the lyrics. I think that’s why it resonates so much with people – because it’s not cluttered.”

Tones and I: The Singer-Songwriter Behind ‘Dance Monkey’

Since the release of ‘Dance Monkey’, Tones and I has gone on to become one of the most successful artists of 2019. She has won multiple awards, including ARIA Awards for Best Female Artist and Best Pop Release. She has also performed at major festivals such as Glastonbury, Coachella, and Lollapalooza.

Tones and I is currently working on her debut album, which is due for release in 2020. She has said that the album will be a mix of pop, folk, and hip-hop, and will feature some of her older songs as well as new material. She has also hinted at a collaboration with US rapper G-Eazy.

Conclusion

Tones and I’s ‘Dance Monkey’ is one of the biggest songs of 2019. The song’s success can be attributed to its clever lyrics, catchy vocal delivery, and minimalistic production. Tones and I has since gone on to become one of the most successful artists of 2019, and is currently working on her debut album, which is due for release in 2020. There’s no doubt that we’ll be hearing a lot more from this talented singer-songwriter in the near future.

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By Happy Sharer

Hi, I'm Happy Sharer and I love sharing interesting and useful knowledge with others. I have a passion for learning and enjoy explaining complex concepts in a simple way.

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