[Tom DeLonge:]
On the floor of Tokyo
Or down in London town to go, go
With the record selection
And the mirror’s reflection
I’m dancing with myself
When there’s no-one else in sight
In the crowded lonely night
Well I wait so long
For my love vibration
And I’m dancing with myself
Oh oh dancing with myself
Oh oh dancing with myself
Well there’s nothing to lose
And there’s nothing to prove
I’ll be dancing with myself
Oh uh oh oh
If I looked all over the world
And there’s every type of girl
But your empty eyes
Seem to pass me by
Leave me dancing with myself
So let’s sink another drink
‘Cause it’ll give me time to think
If I had the chance
I’d ask the world to dance
And I’ll be dancing with myself
[Tom DeLonge & Mark Hoppus:]
Oh oh dancing with myself
Oh oh dancing with myself
If I had the chance
I’d ask the world to dance
And I’ll be dancing with myself
Oh uh oh oh
Oh uh oh oh
Oh uh oh oh
Mark!
Oh uh oh oh
[Tom DeLonge:]
If I looked all over the world
And there’s every type of girl
But their empty eyes
Seem to pass me by
I’ll be dancing with myself
So let’s sink another drink
‘Cause it’ll give me time to think
If I had the chance
I’d ask the world to dance
And I’ll be dancing with myself
Oh dancing with myself
Oh dancing with myself
If I had the chance
I’d ask the world to dance
If I had the chance
I’d ask the world to dance
If I had the chance
I’d ask the world to dance
Oh uh oh oh
Oh uh oh oh
Oh uh oh oh
Oh uh oh oh
Oh uh oh oh
[Mark Hoppus:]
Yeah, in a sweat
In a sweat
In a sweat
In a sweat
In a sweat
Sweat, sweat, sweat
Sweat, sweat, sweat, sweat, sweat, sweat, sweat
Wow, hey you look great tonight, uh that’s insane, where’d you get that done? Yeah I’ve never seen a circumcision like that before, that’s really great, you wanna dance?
Finding Solitude on the Dance Floor
Blink-182’s cover of “Dancin’ With Myself” brings an infectious punk energy to a theme of independence and personal liberation. The lyrics follow the narrator as he finds himself alone in bustling cities—Tokyo, London—surrounded by people but feeling isolated. The act of dancing alone becomes a powerful metaphor for embracing solitude and self-sufficiency. Rather than lamenting loneliness, the song turns it into a celebration, suggesting that there’s nothing to lose or prove when you’re comfortable with yourself.
Searching for Connection
Throughout the song, the narrator’s encounters with others are marked by fleeting connections and empty stares. Despite searching for meaningful companionship, he keeps returning to the dance floor alone. This persistent motif highlights the universal struggle to find genuine connection in a crowded world, and the empowerment found in enjoying your own company.
A Playful, Punk Revival
Blink-182’s rendition injects humor and spontaneity—especially in the closing banter—making the track both a nostalgic nod to the original and a playful, self-aware anthem for anyone who’s ever felt alone in a crowd.
Song Credits
- Writers: Billy Idol, Tony James
- Original Release Year: 1980 (original by Billy Idol/Generation X)