Musician Sherman Kelly tells the story behind the song 'Dancing In The Moonlight' by King Harvest, also known by Toploader. A short documentary by Top 2000 a gogo from 2018 (Dutch Public Television).
I cannot fathom the sadness and depression that this man had while recovering from what would probably drive many to suicide and channel that energy to create one of the most wholesome timeless tunes of all time. Just Bravo 🙌 ❤
What an intense story. I had no idea. And such a commendable reaction to what he and his girlfriend went through. This guy has a glow around him for sure...
Always loved this song. The keyboard intro is one of the most recognizable and joyous openings to a song ever put to music. How ironic considering the back story.
I realize that this video was from 6 years ago, but... OMG Sherman, what a story! My wife and I absolutely love your song. Near the end of December 1972 we were on our honeymoon in Florida (to escape the cold here in the north) when this song came on the air. The stations played it a lot while we were there. Then it took about another month for it to hit after we were back home. Every time we hear your song, we get an instant deja vu back to our honeymoon, even today, 52 years later. Thank you for writing and recording this.
I first met beautiful sister Kathy in 7th grade, then younger brother Wells later of Orleans, then big brother Sherman. I also grew up on Cayuga Lake as shown in this video. Some years ago, I heard Sherman play his piano while visiting his shoreside home. In 1974, I found myself in Western Germany walking along a mountain highway with a full moon above. I turned on a little transistor radio and from the opening chords I heard “Dancin’ in the Moonlight.” My radio was magically tuned to Armed Forces Radio. The song instantly erased the thousands of miles between home and where I was at that moment. “Dancin’” is one of those that never grows old, and that memory is one of those moments that is beyond coincidence.
I never knew anything about this story until recently and became so sad. But I'm seeing the positive side now....that this beautiful uplifting song came out of horrible pain and suffering. He does deserve a medal of honor, for taking something so horrific and turning it into a positive....the fact that he survived it. I will now listen to the song and continue to feel happy when I hear it.
Hello 👋 Tina. How are you doing? Hope you are fine. I'm Mark Clifford and am from Denver Colorado. Where are you from? You seem like a real country girl
I just came across this tonight, sad how the human race can be like animals, and then a beautiful song comes along to delight. I'm 63 and have always enjoyed this song.
I was born in 1970, and my whole life this song has been the go-to for alleviating stress. "You can't dance and stay uptight" are the truest words ever spoken. It was my wedding song, and is currently the alarm I wake up to every morning, lol. Well done Mr. Kelly. ♥ The story you've shared with us just deepens the meaning even further. It said everything you meant it to.
@@craigh8602 Actually we played together from 1970 to 1976. In '76 The Beach Boys made us an offer we couldn't refuse and we ended up joining their band. In the early 80s 3 of us did some production work, recorded the Young Love album and an album of classic country songs, and toured a couple months in Norway. Thanks for asking.
What a beautiful gentleman. I have loved this song for decades. I wish it played at my wedding, as well as at my funeral. I am grateful that he can speak openly about past trauma with poise and maturity. Thank you ☀.
If i didn't hear it from his lips, i would never believe it. From the worst experience, to the best feeling......50 years of joy this man brought 3 generations.....so far!
Everything he said to describe the song is true - peaceful, relaxing, joyful - but it's also soooooo cool and soooooo catchy and just different than anything else. It's like it came out of some magical woods and when you listen to it a part of you goes back into them.
I kept getting this hint of sadness from this song but still a mood lifting song, then I decided to see what was the backstory behind this song and wow
I LOVED this song as a little girl... Reminds me of summertime! Timeless!! ***I had no idea that there was a Tragic Back Story in the creation of this beautiful, happy song (until tonight). 😥 And now Im almost 60 years old! The song & his voice still touches my heart! 💕😊💕
Hello 👋 Diane . How are you doing? Hope you are fine. I'm Mark Clifford and am from Denver Colorado. Where are you from? You seem like a real country girl
Wow, my boyfriend and I became curios as to where "everybody is dancing in the moonlight" in aw of how amazing it truly sounded.. This hit me so deep, getting much more of an answer than I expected to find. You both are strong beings, and I admire greatly the positivity and love you took away from such a terrible situation. My favorite song any day, always makes me feel better and dance, I too also hope that one day the world will be this place..where EVERYONE is dancing in the moonlight 🌕🌈🧡
Today is Sat., May 7, 2022. The universe is STILL enjoying this lovely song. It was & IS a blessing. DITM brought such sweetness to my childhood & will forever have meaning in my heart. And I thank you sir, most sincerely.🙏♥️🇺🇲✌
WOW! I was 11 when this song debuted on the radio and I'm here now because I was just listening to it on my phone at age 58 and decided to look for information about the band.
Exactly...I am still friends to this day with all of my neighborhood friends, and I'm 64. Your statement is so true and brought some sweet memories of the good ole days.
Thank you for sharing your story publicly. You have always been a role model and a beloved mentor, especially when we worked on the Crisis team together. You are a beautiful man and this is a beautiful song that will be around always in peoples hearts. Much love to you.
They say everything happens for a reason but for both of them to go through such a tragic and horrid ordeal is beyond unimaginable. I never knew there was such an unfortunate story behind this great classic song. God Bless!
I was in college in Ithaca, NY and around town we were all into this song as sung by Boffalongo! Later it turns up on the radio as being by King Harvest! I recognized the park area even before he confirmed that he was on Lake Cayuga! So glad he survived his ordeal and hope his girlfriend also was OK after what she went through. I graduated from Cornell in '72....Enjoy, Ithaca, Sherman....glad you are still happy up there! Ithaca is Gorges!!
As a 6 or 7 yr old kid i had an AM transistor radio and listened to WLS Chicago, I was glued to that station, they played the best hits of the day. I definitely remember this song, I used to record good songs on my cheap cassette player and this was one of my favorite songs!
Grew up the same. WLS Chicago and the music countdown. Remember dancing in my room. Thanks for bringing back that nice memory. Great song, will be a favorite for life, makes me so happy! Laura A.
This is such a really great song - I was 11 when it released in 73 , mom was big on musical influence , she loved Motown , but wanted to make certain us kids were exposed to ALL types of music . When this song came on she would turn it up because I liked it so much . Miss you Mom - in my head when this song plays I envision a cartoon scape of creatures in the woods gathered around a campfire under the moonlight , all dancing and smiling - having a great time as if it's just part of being alive and having a blast , nothing bad to ruin it..just a bunch of pals gathered together celebrating . The blue bear smiling huge and dancing away with everyone
Sherman Kelly, you bring a whole new meaning to 'turning the other cheek'. Cliche, I know, but, man, you came to a crossroads, and it would have been very understandable to all had you taken the 'wrong' path. I don't know if I could have been that strong, being so young. We all thank you and love you for it. ❤
Always loved this song... I was a very young man when this was a hit and it always made me feel good... and I dont even like to dance... Thank you for writing this and making a good thing from bad.
Favorite in 1977 when I was a senior in HS and still a favorite as a senior in 2022. Just discovered the story behind the song….wow, an amazing testimony to how something life giving can be birth out of tragedy and horror. About 3 months ago I have been comparing this song to what the rapture will be like…seems similar…love, peace and joy….oh yeahhhhh
This song shaped my teen years in so many ways. So much more upbeat and hopeful than the reality of the situation. Thank you for being a guiding light from sorrow and pain to joy and hope. It takes a very special person to be able to do that.
I’m 48 and what brings me to this is childhood memories of hearing this song as my dad drove. I haven’t seen him in 30 years but this song reminds me of him. I love that old music.
I just revised my "If I got 3 wishes," list and one of those now involves those guys, a Louisville Slugger, a wood chipper, and nice glass of lemonade after.
There is something both perfect and justified in this story. That from a kind of innocence turning into something so disgusting and grotesque, with a roar something wonderful is born and lasts. The song, Dancing in the Moonlight has always been my favourite, will always be. Now, moreso than ever. Be well & ty for sharing such a wonderful song with the world, Mr. Kelly.
I'm the wife of the man pictured.... This song is a life source for me. Helps get me through my drive to work each day. Been through some crazy traumas. And to learn now that you wrote this from that kind of grief... inspiring! I haven't soured from my experiences... I aspire to put kindness out there, despite the jerks (mild word).. God bless you Man!
One of the most beautiful songs i have ever heard in my 60 years on this earth. What a hellish experience. Then to turn around and write a song describing paradise. Not what he endured...but how it SHOULD be. I have no words....
As I watch you in the boat looking out your experience of such a cowardly act has given this beautiful song for eternity, but I now know what sad things had to transpire for it to happen thank God you and your Girl made it though and thank you for the wonderful song!!
wow what a story this man has truly lived a life. for all the ups and downs he’s experienced, he’s lived a life that 99.99% of people can only dream of.
he is a brilliant overall musician. I know one. I lived with one for over twenty years. Sherman wrote a song that puts chills on the arms and tears in the eyes of many. This is by far one of the best songs written and the vocals are killer. Sherman you can still hit that note, maybe just not during that one interview. You are so humble. God bless you! Thank you for making me cry and appreciate life again.
Hello 👋 Mary. How are you doing? Hope you are fine. I'm Mark Clifford and am from Denver Colorado. Where are you from? You seem like a real country girl
To think that this man took such a traumatic, harrowing experience and turned it into one of the greatest pop songs of the modern era is remarkable. It shows not only true artistry, but an unshakeable faith in humanity.
This song has been running through my head and making me feel like crying for the past 3 days. I didn't know why. This is the 4th of July 2023 when I found this video. I attributed my mood to maybe the Schumann Resonance craziness, the Summer Solstice, the Supermoon... but Sherman Kelly's story is one of Ascension. Those who follow the Woo will know what I mean. His song is perfect for our time.
Wow I remember this song when I was a teenager around 13 or 14. it was my go-to feel good song it just put me in a happy mood. I am sad to hear that horrible situation happened to him and his girlfriend. He and his girlfriend survived it. One could say that are like the Phoenix that rises from the ashes. God bless him.
It is beyond a peaceful tune...it's absolute pleasure to listen to even all these years later! it's impossible to be in a bad mood listening to it...Beautiful Music. Sad story behind it but if its any consolation, there's a million folks that love the tune! Awesome tune!!! I'm so glad you turned to celebrate the positive...and YES the universe LOVES IT!
amen, we need to be dancing in the moonlight again. so much truth in his song. I never knew the story behind it, wow. amazing. what a man. God bless you and Ms Adrian.
My God, I have loved that song for so long. Without ever understanding the backstory this is amazing thank you. For the song and telling us the painful backstory. I have loved it before but I will love it now forever.
I’ve always wanted this to be my wedding song, I don’t think I want a wedding now lol but it’s still one of my favorite songs of all time and makes me so happy!!! It’s so beautiful and uplifting no matter how down I feel this instantly cheers me up! Now hearing this story makes me love it even more! What an amazing soul! 😭💖🤟
If you rank this song from 1-100 on the happy feelings you get from it... this is a 100. If you rank this song from 1-100 for the circumsances behind the song... there is not a negative number small enough behind zero. Can any other song in history do that? This is definitely a 100 on the happy feelings. I now think of Dancing in the Moonlight, like a rainbow that popped up from Hell. Wow. Amazing story Sherman. God bless you... and Adrian. ❤️
