When Danny Tenaglia and Celeda connected in 1998, they didn’t just produce a track; they forged an anthem that would soundtrack countless peak-time sets across the globe, from New York to Ibiza and the UK superclubs. This track is a masterclass in building rhythmic intensity until the entire floor feels like it’s taking flight.
For many, hearing this for the first time—perhaps in an atmosphere like Gods Kitchen in Birmingham, which is where I first heard it, it was an instant, visceral epiphany. The record has a profound power to instantly elevate the state of mind, locking the dancer into a relentless, hypnotic groove.
The Power of the Prance
Celeda’s vocals are the emotional anchor, powerful and affirming, declaring the unifying power of the beat. The lyrical switch that caught the attention of many—the use of “Dancin’ & Prancin'”—is deceptively brilliant. It strips away the romantic subtext of many disco samples and replaces it with pure, unadulterated physical joy and self-expression. It’s a rallying cry for movement, a declaration that the dance floor is a place of freedom where you can fully, unapologetically be yourself.
Tenaglia’s Rhythmic Engine
That vocal, however, only works because of the rhythmic architecture Tenaglia constructed beneath it. Known for his tribal leanings, Tenaglia builds the track on a pulsating, relentless bassline and layered, deep percussion. This isn’t just a simple four-on-the-floor beat; it’s a driving, complex rhythmic engine that feels physical and earthy, creating that essential groove that just gets under your skin.
In the era before social media and easy track identification, the experience of having a friend confirm they heard the same amazing, slightly obscure track, when it was dropped when they went to Cream in Liverpool—was an essential part of the communal joy of house music. “Music Is The Answer” perfectly embodies that connection: a track so undeniable it could only be spread person-to-person, floor-to-floor, as a shared secret of the devoted clubbing family.