"Jump to the Beat" is a song written by Narada Michael Walden and Lisa Walden. It was originally released by American singer Stacy Lattisaw in 1980 when it became a big hit in the UK, peaking at No. 3. It was later covered by Australian singer Dannii Minogue on her debut album, Love and Kisses, in 1991.

Release

Stacy Lattisaw was only 13 years old when "Jump to the Beat" was released in May 1980. Although it was not released as a North American single, and therefore did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100, it reached No. 1 (along with another song "Dynamite!") on the Billboard dance charts. Released in edited form as a single internationally, it became a big hit during the summer of 1980 in the UK, where it peaked at No. 3 in July. It was to be her only major hit there although she continued to achieve success in the US with later singles. The song also performed well in Europe, hitting the charts in a number of countries. The song was included on Lattsaw's second album, Let Me Be Your Angel.

Charts

Dannii Minogue version

Australian singer Dannii Minogue released a cover of "Jump to the Beat" in 1991. Her version was produced by Les Adams, Emma Freilich (L.A. Mix) and Andy Whitmore and received a mixed reception from music critics. It was released as the third single from her debut album, Love and Kisses in the third quarter of 1991 and reached the top five in Ireland and the top ten in the United Kingdom, and became Minogue's second top ten single. In Australia, the song did not perform as well, charting outside the top forty. In North America, the single was released as Minogue's debut release in November 1991; however, it failed to generate much interest outside of the United Kingdom and Australia.

Critical reception

Matthew Hocter from Albumism noted that "with a clearer focus on that New Jack Swing sound" and the addition of some "heavy on house music" covers "Jump to the Beat" and "Baby Love", "the younger Minogue demonstrated that she had a very soulful approach to music." John Lucas from AllMusic called the song "a fairly perfunctory cover". Larry Flick from Billboard commented, "Kylie's younger sister bows with a hyper pop/house jam that is fueled with a fun, sing-along chorus and a groove that should easily rope in programmers at both club and crossover radio levels. Rap by Einstein is miscellaneous, while Minogue's chirpy voice endears." Marc Andrews from Smash Hits wrote that the song is one of the "highlights" on the Love and Kisses album. He also described it as a "dance-fantastic single".

Music video

A music video was produced to promote the single, directed by Australian film director, screenwriter and cinematographer Paul Goldman.

Formats and track listings

These are the formats and track listings of major single releases of "Jump to the Beat". (C10482) (D10482) (X14076) Note: "Jump to the Beat" is one of only two singles released by Minogue that did not receive a CD format release in the UK.

Official versions

Personnel

The following people contributed to "Jump to the Beat":

Charts