David Bowie and Mick Jagger – ‘Dancing In The Street’

14 September 1985

The intention here was quite sweet: a transatlantic duet during Live Aid, with Bowie at Wembley and Jagger in Philadelphia. Alas, the best of 1985 technology couldn’t help the organisers get around the satellite delay to make this work, so on the big day the video (below) was shown instead and became the performance of record.

If ever a music video perfectly captured the essence of its soundtrack, this is it. Bowie and Jagger gurn and wobble like the two old pantomime dames they are. Their version has its own ’80s pop-rock energy but nothing to match the joyous fizz of Martha Reeves and the Vandellas’ original ’60s classic. Still, our generosity towards a good cause can extend to indulging this bit of harmless fun.