Elliot James Reay shares his vibrant new single “Who Knew Dancing Was A Sin,” with nods to Northern Soul and retro style.
Elliot James Reay, the 23-year-old singer, guitarist, and songwriter from Manchester, returns with his energetic fourth single, “Who Knew Dancing Was A Sin,” out now via Interscope / Island EMI.
Bringing classic soul into a modern light, the song tells the story of a misunderstood night out, where Reay’s only crime was cutting loose on the dance floor. It’s a playful, foot-stomping track full of throwback flair—true to Reay’s growing reputation as a revivalist of ‘50s and ‘60s music with a fresh twist.
The song was co-written with Manchester-based producer duo SOAP (Josh Noble and Karl Ziegler) along with Annielle Lisiuk and Glen Roberts. With deep bass grooves, vibrant horns, driving drums, tambourines, and sharp guitar stabs, the track is a sonic invitation to move. 
“It’s a shame she doesn’t get it, a shame she doesn’t see / It don’t make me a traitor and it don’t make me cheat / You can try to stop the music, but you can’t stop my feet / Just give me a bourbon, a bass line, and a beat,” sings Reay.
The music video, set in Reay’s hometown of Manchester, pays homage to the Northern Soul scene. It begins with a confrontation at home and flashes back to a club full of vintage flair and dazzling footwork, perfectly matching the retro-fueled sound.
The single follows Reay’s standout releases “Daydreaming,” “Boy in Love,” and the global hit “I Think They Call This Love,” which has garnered over 121 million streams and 1 billion TikTok views to date.
