Think Tank (2003) by Blur — This cover, stenciled by Banksy, is the one that inspired this exhibit. I was walking through a used bookstore, saw a book on album covers, and wondered whether there were enough covers featuring social dance to make an exhibit of them. When I happened to open to this page, the deal was sealed. While this particular image is not unambiguously an illustration of dancing, it can certainly be interpreted as one, and a compelling one, at that.

You'll Be Alright Kid, Chapter 1 (2024) by Alex Warren — It's like E.T., but for social dancers. Who wouldn't love to dance across the full moon, like this lucky couple?

Nights Like This (2021) by St. Lundi — While the woman's skirt might be a bit impractical for dancing West Coast Swing to this song (as most dancers would), it's a gorgeous dance image nonetheless.

A Collection of Great Dance Songs (1981) by Pink Floyd — The album's tongue-in-cheek title (Pink Floyd is not, in fact, known for dance songs), is perfectly complemented by this tongue-in-cheek illustration of a couple who is trying to dance while being firmly anchored to the ground.

Una notte in ballo (2018) by Lyradanz — This cover features a beautiful illustration of a couple dancing in a public square at night, perhaps at a balfolk mazurka klandestina.

Chasing Shadows (2024) by Alex Warren — This cover image gives new meaning to the phrase "dancing with your shadow."

Re (2025) by Otros Aires — The cover of this Otros Aires remix album effectively captures the meditative nature of Tango.

Trouble (2004) by Ray LaMontagne — This cover image gives new meaning to the phrase "dancing with the devil."

The New Orleans Tango (2024) by Tony DeSare — In this gorgeous depiction of Tango dancing on the streets of New Orleans, the lady in red is clearly leading.

Beauty and the Beast (1991) — A classic cover from a classic album from a classic film.

Contrastes (2021) by Electrocutango — In class, we ask our students who temporarily don't have a partner to "dance with a ghost," but this cover takes that concept to a whole new level.

I Want You (1976) by Marvin Gaye — This cover features an adaptation of Ernie Barnes' painting, The Sugar Shack (1971), which depicts his memories of an African-American dance hall from his childhood.

Gaucho (1980) by Steely Dan — This cover is based on a low relief sculpture by Argentine artist Israel Hoffmann entitled Guardia Vieja - Tango [Old Guard - Tango].

Blues Party (2016) by Putomayo World Music — Many of Putumayo's covers feature dancing, so we'll curate some of the most unique and compelling.

Otros Aires (2012) by Otros Aires — This is a great illustration of a Barrida in Tango, as well as a great illustration of the diverse array of footwear seen on the dance floor.

Mirage (1982) by Fleetwood Mac — More often noted for its bad editing than its dance content (what on earth is going on with Stevie's left arm on Lindsey's shoulder?), this cover does present a compelling narrative through dance. Unfortunately, the covers for Fleetwood Mac's dance-themed titles Tango in the Night (1987) and The Dance (1997) feature no dancing.

Te Espero (2024) by Prince Royce & María Becerra — While it could just be a dramatic embrace, given that it's a Bachata song, we'll say that they're dancing.

Baila (2006) by Putomayo World Music — Anti-dance moralizers would love the implications of this illustration (i.e., that the dancers in the foreground will soon become like the silhouettes in the window). But dancers know that despite how steamy a dance might look, what happens on the dance floor can stay there, and doesn't necessarily need to lead to anything more.

Hambo in the Snow (2006) by Andrea Hoag, Loretta Kelley, & Charlie Pilzer — While it might get a bit cold, how fun would it be to swirl in the snow?

Visage (1980) by Visage — I love the juxtaposition of a silhouetted jazz band and an emo embrace á la Tango Al Reves on the cover of an album by a synth-pop band.

The Tango Project (1982) by The Tango Project — An illustration of vintage Tango graces the cover of this album that features the most famous movie tango song, Por Una Cabeza, featured in both Scent of a Woman (1992) and True Lies (1994).

Urban Cowboy II: More Music from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1980) — No, Sissy's not leading: in authentic, grassroots Texas Two Step, the Lead's right arm is often above the Follow's left arm in closed position, which actually makes sense, since the Lead is often taller than the Follow.

Un giorno in ballo (2015) by Lyradanz — A daytime complement to the cover of Una notte in ballo (2018). Notice that in the daytime, the woman is leading.

Dos (2007) — This modern neo-tango cover, with slumpy dancers taking huge steps and pointing their hands to the sky, is reminiscent of many a historical cartoon about how not to dance.

Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge (2004) by My Chemical Romance — This one definitely isn't intended to be a dance image, but it easily reads as one. The sketch, entitled "Demolition Lovers II" was inspired by René Magritte's painting "The Lovers," and drawn by My Chemical Romance's lead singer, Gerard Way.

Hemels Douwe [Heavenly Dew] (2017) by Shillelagh — This Balfolk album cover effectively illustrates the blur of waltzers spinning around the room (or in this case, across a field).

Who Put the Bomp (in the Bomp, Bomp, Bomp) (1961) by Barry Mann — I love how this cover illustrates the three way partnership between the Lead, the Follow, and the music, with Barry Mann's strings influencing both of the dancers.

Dance, No One's Watching (2024) by Ezra Collective — While some would define social dancing as touch dancing (i.e., holding hands with a partner), dancing one's own steps while facing a partner is also a popular form of dancing socially.

Orquesta Romántica Milonguera Plays the Beatles (2019) — I guess this is what it looks like when Tango dancers are sucked into a black hole?

Fiesta Latina (2024) — This cover is a great illustration of the common situation in which one couple starts dancing at a concert, and unofficially becomes part of the show for everyone else.

Dirty Dancing Soundtrack (1987) — Of course the cover for the Dirty Dancing soundtrack would feature a steamy embrace by Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey.

Saturday Night Fever Soundtrack (1977) — While his fellow disco dancers have been left out of this particular image, Travolta's pose is uniquely iconic, perfectly representing an era of dances in a single gesture.

Hardcore Jollies (1976) by Funkadelic — In the bottom right corner of this cover, a man in green is dancing The Bump (an actual 1970s social dance) with an exploding woman with three legs.

Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights Soundtrack (2006) — As times change, so too do concepts of what kinds of dancing are labeled "dirty."

Diggin’ the Discs:
Social Dance on Album Covers

In this exhibit, you’ll find a collection of album covers that feature social dancing (or that can reasonably be interpreted to feature social dancing).

Diggin’ the Discs:Social Dance on Album Covers

In this exhibit, you’ll find a collection of album covers that feature social dancing (or that can reasonably be interpreted to feature social dancing).

Diggin’ the Discs:
Social Dance on Album Covers