Song Meaning
Chris Rea's "Slow Dance" isn't just a song; it's a primal scream channeled through the blues. The lyrics depict a raw, almost Oedipal connection to the music itself, personified as "Mama." The opening lines, "I screamed at Mama, what's that stuff going on / Yeah I screamed at Mama, Where did that feeling come from," suggest an awakening, a visceral understanding of the blues' power and its inherent pull. This "feeling" isn't learned; it's intrinsic, a birthright passed down, perhaps genetically or culturally. The mother figure doesn't explain the feeling, she validates it: "son I don't know what it is / But I know that's where you belong." This acceptance is crucial; it's a blessing, a permission slip to dive headfirst into the world of rhythm and blues.
The recurring line, "It's a slow dance, dance of the rythym and blues," acts as a mantra, a hypnotic repetition that reinforces the almost spiritual nature of the music. It's not just a dance; it's *the* dance, the essential, fundamental expression of human emotion. The lyrics then shift, with the narrator screaming for Mama again, this time seeking guidance on what she has come to know. This suggests a yearning for deeper understanding, a desire to unlock the secrets held within the blues tradition. It's a call for initiation, for acceptance into the inner circle of those who truly understand the music's soul.
The final affirmation, "I was born with this feeling, and it ain't going to let go," cements the idea that this connection to the blues is not a choice, but a destiny. It's an unshakeable bond, an intrinsic part of his being. The song then returns to the chorus, a final, resolute declaration of devotion to the "slow dance, dance of the rhythm and blues." In essence, "Slow Dance" is Chris Rea's testament to the enduring power and inescapable allure of the blues, portraying it not just as a genre, but as a fundamental human experience passed down through generations.
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