Tony Arata performs his song, "The Dance," at the Von Braun Center Playhouse in Huntsville, Alabama during the Jim Parker Songwriter Series liver performance.
The day my first wife died, after turning the machine off, I left the hospital, went home and signed onto the computer, played this song and cried into the keyboard.
I feel honored that I got to meet & shake Mr.Arata's hand 1 night in Bismarck ND at The Lonesome Dove! 2015, I was playing drums in a band called Carolina Reign then and Mr. Arata walked up to this ol boy from little Moneta VA an said young man I really enjoyed your drumming tonight! Talking bout making me smile. I'll never forget that night! What a talented song writer, and nice person.
Tony may remember me? We met at a shelter for the homeless. A song called SO BLUE ITS BLACK was after I heard the Dance. And he allowed latenight drunken calls about songs.
My dad recently passed away. This was his favorite song. We sat so many nights at his balchony in Chiangmai looking at the stars talking about life. This song was part of every one of those nights. Miss you daddy.
Tony, this is such a beautiful and heart wrenching song! I can not sing through it without choking up. Garth's version is so good, and I'm glad that he recorded it, otherwise we might have never been blessed by hearing it. But hearing you sing it yourself is so special that I'm lost for words! Thank you!
Heard this song first in 2000, been striking my heart ever since... Tony Arata, thank you for writing a part of my life in your song... I live in Sikkim, a small state in the north east of India... country music dont exist here except for a few like me...
I really never tire of listening to Tony sing this beautiful song. ... I know everyone has the right to an opinion, but it's tough to understand how there are 15 "thumbs down'' in the ratings.
It's too complex for modern ears. There's no throbbing 2 or 3 bass notes repeated over and over and it doesn't talk about screwing some bitch or killing a cop or rival.
I was fortunate enough to be doing a karaoke show at a bar in Watertown, SD one night several years ago when Tony stopped in for a beverage. We visited just briefly and he introduced himself. That night he took the stage and sang The Dance at my show. It was awesome to here the song from the writer himself!
Sang it many times for different folks' funerals! Thank you so much Tony for writing such a timeless classic!!!! I REALLY believe that our Lord 🙏 had something to do with you actually composing this gem!!!
Amen my friend yes I to believe it that god had his part to bring us such a heart felt tear jerking song if there ever was a song to make you feel something that feels like you like to change the world with the sound and words this song brings this is that song indeed it hits me so hard every single time and never gets old a friend of mine loves to here me do it karaoke he says it hits him like a ton of lead this is a song that must be sung right with heart and soul and nothing less but your all as if you were dying in those minutes the song does have to be thee song of all time
That song is painful, but necessary. It actually helped me get clean, through a breakup, and to get over lost ones. Its epic, and I thank you for writing it....
Like most I have only known the famous version, but I have never enjoyed the original source of a song written and sung from the heart as much as this one. Tony gave the world a masterpiece that will withstand the test of time and outlast any bubble gum pop song forever.
Tony, thank you for the gift of your music these past 30+ years. One of your most famous works, "The Dance", sung by Garth Brooks, is also my most favorite. This song saw me through the best times of my life, and also my worst, with the loss of my wife, just 5 years ago. I miss her now, like I missed her then, but I try to live on, as she would want me to. Again, my sincere thanks for all you do for the world of music. Happy New Year, to you and yours.
In one way it is unbelievable Tony shopped this song around Nshville for three years and it never got picked up , until Garth full filled his promise to record it ! It is a rare song that you know is something special the first time you hear it . On the other hand , it shows one what a closed industry the music business is ! I am glad Tony Stuck it out , this is one all time great song !
I love hearing the writers sing hit songs. It's interesting to hear how they view the song and the stories are incredible. Thank you, Tony for writing such a powerful song.
Good stuff Jim Parker. Tony I remember you with long hair while getting my School of Hard Knocks Country Music Continuing Education. Very Good Tony. I sent Garth to Nashville from Stillwater for 3 years and he finally went and came back to Stillwater. Then back again to Nash Vegas and the rest is still yet to come.
Tony's guitar playing here is making me think very much of the late, great Dan Fogelberg...and "Twin Sons Of Different Mothers" (a phrase Tony uses in his preamble) was a DF album title...
God bless this man for creating o e of the best pieces in history. I am a huge fan of seether alice in chains and other great writers not so country. This is hands down on eof the best songs ever written. I challenge people to find tool deftones alice in chains. Other great artist that can make magic in any genre from strictly pure talent. Quit saying what genres arw shitty and good. Do your own research and find real musicians they cant hide. I love Keith Whitley Shannon Hoon Wayne Stanley, kurt etc
Great song ! type in "ron howard cover" listen to Opie sing "The Dance"! To all of us who have lost loved ones "Life goes that fast, and we will see them again that soon"!
The day my first wife died, after turning the machine off, I left the hospital, went home and signed onto the computer, played this song and cried into the keyboard.
Sorry for your loss…however, music is an amazing therapy! Thank you for the support!
Tony Arata is truly the GOAT
I feel honored that I got to meet & shake Mr.Arata's hand 1 night in Bismarck ND at The Lonesome Dove! 2015, I was playing drums in a band called Carolina Reign then and Mr. Arata walked up to this ol boy from little Moneta VA an said young man I really enjoyed your drumming tonight! Talking bout making me smile. I'll never forget that night! What a talented song writer, and nice person.
Thank you for writing one of the best songs ever written. It continues to help me through my husband's passing! God bless.
I am sorry for your loss but Keep on going, keep on fighting.
Tony may remember me? We met at a shelter for the homeless. A song called SO BLUE ITS BLACK was after I heard the Dance. And he allowed latenight drunken calls about songs.
My dad recently passed away. This was his favorite song. We sat so many nights at his balchony in Chiangmai looking at the stars talking about life. This song was part of every one of those nights. Miss you daddy.
Tony, this is such a beautiful and heart wrenching song! I can not sing through it without choking up. Garth's version is so good, and I'm glad that he recorded it, otherwise we might have never been blessed by hearing it. But hearing you sing it yourself is so special that I'm lost for words! Thank you!
Mr. Arata I met you when I was 16 yo, I was to young to appreciate your brilliance,
Truly one of the best songs I have ever heard. I find the older that I get, the more this song gets my heart. Well done sir. ❤
Heard this song first in 2000, been striking my heart ever since... Tony Arata, thank you for writing a part of my life in your song... I live in Sikkim, a small state in the north east of India... country music dont exist here except for a few like me...
I really never tire of listening to Tony sing this beautiful song. ... I know everyone has the right to an opinion, but it's tough to understand how there are 15 "thumbs down'' in the ratings.
It's too complex for modern ears. There's no throbbing 2 or 3 bass notes repeated over and over and it doesn't talk about screwing some bitch or killing a cop or rival.
Ya but there’s over 400 likes you there too my man, that negativity is out weighed for sure
Cos...a lot of people know less than zero about what a soulful performance is.
I was fortunate enough to be doing a karaoke show at a bar in Watertown, SD one night several years ago when Tony stopped in for a beverage. We visited just briefly and he introduced himself. That night he took the stage and sang The Dance at my show. It was awesome to here the song from the writer himself!
Sang it many times for different folks' funerals! Thank you so much Tony for writing such a timeless classic!!!! I REALLY believe that our Lord 🙏 had something to do with you actually composing this gem!!!
Amen my friend yes I to believe it that god had his part to bring us such a heart felt tear jerking song if there ever was a song to make you feel something that feels like you like to change the world with the sound and words this song brings this is that song indeed it hits me so hard every single time and never gets old a friend of mine loves to here me do it karaoke he says it hits him like a ton of lead this is a song that must be sung right with heart and soul and nothing less but your all as if you were dying in those minutes the song does have to be thee song of all time
What a gift to be able to write songs. To write a song like “The Dance” is a blessing and a miracle. Thank you, Tony.
That song is painful, but necessary. It actually helped me get clean, through a breakup, and to get over lost ones. Its epic, and I thank you for writing it....
We love you, we all cry, we all try
This is the best version of this song. Tony has such a traditional sound makes the culture strong.
There is something about listening to the song by the artist that wrote it. Thanks for sharing.
Like most I have only known the famous version, but I have never enjoyed the original source of a song written and sung from the heart as much as this one. Tony gave the world a masterpiece that will withstand the test of time and outlast any bubble gum pop song forever.
you made the world a better place for creating this song Tony, thankyou.
This is how it should be sung and what a truly beautiful song preformed by a truly talented man 🇮🇪
Tony, thank you for the gift of your music these past 30+ years. One of your most famous works, "The Dance", sung by Garth Brooks, is also my most favorite. This song saw me through the best times of my life, and also my worst, with the loss of my wife, just 5 years ago. I miss her now, like I missed her then, but I try to live on, as she would want me to. Again, my sincere thanks for all you do for the world of music. Happy New Year, to you and yours.
Amazing how this song can be birthed like this and grow up to be what it did.
Love your "story-telling", in music and of/about real life. A tickle and a tug on this sore heart, perfect timing catching this video when I did.
This song will be played at my funeral.
In one way it is unbelievable Tony shopped this song around Nshville for three years and it never got picked up , until Garth full filled his promise to record it ! It is a rare song that you know is something special the first time you hear it . On the other hand , it shows one what a closed industry the music business is ! I am glad Tony Stuck it out , this is one all time great song !
One of the greatest songs ever written! God bless you Tony Arata
THANK YOU TONY FOR THIS SONG !
Beautiful, Tony! Garth did a nice job! ❤️❤️, but I'm so glad I didn't miss "The Dance" of hearing you sing it!
Thanks Tony! Your song has blessed many.
Bravo and thank you! Nothing else needs said!
that is an absolutely stellar performance by Tony that made me appreciate the song way more
Right up there with He Stopped Loving Her Today...
Thank You Tony for this.
The style of this song is not really country, it is Eternal.
This song means a lot to me and my family for so many reasons. Thank you.
Beautiful song that has helped me through my Mom's passing!! Thank You for writing a great song ❤️
I love hearing the writers sing hit songs. It's interesting to hear how they view the song and the stories are incredible. Thank you, Tony for writing such a powerful song.
Really Great Song Man ❤
This song is my heart. And it means more since you shared the meaning. Thank You.
Tony has an amazing voice, and such a beautiful song to play and sing . God bless you. Such talent . ❤️🙏🏼
This is one of the most beautiful songs ever written and sung.
Wow! Garth's version is great, but hearing it for the first time from the man who created it is really special.
Incredible song!
THIS IS AN AWESOME ; AMAZING; & BEAUTIFUL SONG 🎵 ❤️ ♥️ 💜
A master piece
What a beautiful cover
Westlife version.I love it❤
Canção será eterna.
Belíssima
Rio de Janeiro - Brasil
What a damn legend. I don’t even relativity understand song writing but I respect the crap out of it. The story telling and the soul. What a legend.
Beautiful powerful lyrics - sweet song
Awesome!!
Top 5 song ever written
So many songs that Tony wrote that Garth sung:
The Dance
Same Old Story
Kickin’ and Screamin’
Anonymous
The Change
Face To Face
Simply beautiful
Awesome....awesome to the max
I love you Uncle
Song starts at 2:19 He entertains when he speaks but when he sings its pure heart and soul.
Tony invited me to write and we met at his favorite song bar!
Great song.
Just amazing
Holy sh!t! Hands down a great cover.
This is not a cover, this is the original and the writer
holy shit this is amazing!
DOUBLE AWESOME
It's so crazy that this song almost never even got released.
Que nosso amor seja tão Bella quanto essa Canção.🤗 I Love you Gabi!🌹
Almost perfect
This is true genius. I prefer it over Garth even though I grew up on it. Sublime
Good stuff Jim Parker. Tony I remember you with long hair while getting my School of Hard Knocks Country Music Continuing Education. Very Good Tony. I sent Garth to Nashville from Stillwater for 3 years and he finally went and came back to Stillwater. Then back again to Nash Vegas and the rest is still yet to come.
Tony's guitar playing here is making me think very much of the late, great Dan Fogelberg...and "Twin Sons Of Different Mothers" (a phrase Tony uses in his preamble) was a DF album title...
God bless this man for creating o e of the best pieces in history. I am a huge fan of seether alice in chains and other great writers not so country. This is hands down on eof the best songs ever written. I challenge people to find tool deftones alice in chains. Other great artist that can make magic in any genre from strictly pure talent. Quit saying what genres arw shitty and good. Do your own research and find real musicians they cant hide. I love Keith Whitley Shannon Hoon Wayne Stanley, kurt etc
Looking "BAAYNG" on the memory of...
😆
Tony, we swapped songs at Mattew 25.
Great song ! type in "ron howard cover" listen to Opie sing "The Dance"! To all of us who have lost loved ones "Life goes that fast, and we will see them again that soon"!
I'd have loved to have heard logue and McCool try there hand at this one,that would have been epic,rip pat mccool
Ron howard the dance
I like his version better than Garth...this guy is a better singer.
I think even Tony himself will admit that's not true.