Seona Dancing
| Company type | Musical duo |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1982 |
| Founder | Ricky Gervais, Bill Macrae |
| Defunct | 1984 |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Products | Music singles ("More to Lose", "Bitter Heart") |
| Parent | London Records |
Seona Dancing (, ) was a British new wave duo from the 1980s, primarily recognized for introducing comedian Ricky Gervais to the public stage. Although their success on UK charts was modest, their track "More to Lose" gained significant popularity among teenagers in the Philippines.
History
While attending University College London, Ricky Gervais teamed up with Bill Macrae to form Seona Dancing. Macrae was responsible for composing and playing keyboards, whereas Gervais handled lyric writing and vocals. After producing a demo with sixteen songs, they secured a deal with London Records and released two singles: "More to Lose" and "Bitter Heart". In June 1983, they showcased "More to Lose" on the ITV children's program Razzmatazz. Despite this exposure, neither single managed to break into the UK top 40, reaching only 117 and 79 respectively. The band dissolved in 1984 following these commercial disappointments. Subsequently, Gervais gained worldwide acclaim as a comedian and actor.
Reflecting on Macrae in a 2014 interview, Gervais quipped, "I hope he got fat, too."
Popularity in the Philippines
In 1985, Manila’s radio station DWRT-FM (known then as 99.5 RT) began broadcasting a track mislabeled as "Fade" by Medium to prevent rival stations from obtaining it. To deter unauthorized copying, they inserted a station identification within the song. A year later, DWXB-102 disclosed the actual title as "More to Lose" by Seona Dancing.
The song’s memorable piano melody led it to become a staple on radio and in clubs, especially prominent at high school dances throughout the 1980s. Music critic Michael Sutton characterized it as "the anthem for angst-ridden New Wave youth in the Philippines," likening its status to Peter Gabriel’s "In Your Eyes" and noting its lasting appeal akin to Joy Division's "Love Will Tear Us Apart."
Discography
- 1983: "More to Lose" b/w "You're on My Side" (7", 12" single) – UK chart peak: No. 117
- 1983: "Bitter Heart" b/w "Tell Her" (7", 12") – UK chart peak: No. 79
In 2005, an unofficial CD compiling most of their songs titled More to Lose was released.