If I Can't Dance - Background and Release

Background and Release

In an interview with Digital Spy in August 2007, Ellis-Bextor announced that "If I Can't Dance" was to be released as the fourth single from her album Trip The Light Fantastic in November 2007. She performed the song live for the first time in September 2007 on the BBC1 Saturday night game show, DanceX. Around this time, Sophie announced that she was unsure if she wished to release "If I Can't Dance", due to the popularity of "Love Is Here" amongst fans, and that after her performance on DanceX, fans had urged her to release "Love Is Here" instead. She then announced plans for releasing "If I Can't Dance" would stay, and that "Love Is Here" would become the fifth single instead. On 9 October 2007, Ellis-Bextor announced that plans to release "If I Can't Dance" and "Love Is Here" had been cancelled, and that her record label would release a new, unreleased song in their place. However, when the song was featured on the St Trinian's soundtrack, which was released on 10 December 2007, rumours spurred that the single would, in fact, be released.

In January 2008, Ellis Bextor made a shock announcement that the Trip The Light Fantastic era was concluded, and soon after, plans for a Greatest Hits compilation that was expected for release in Autumn 2008 came to light. However, rumours became rive once again when the track was confirmed for inclusion on the compilation. However, Ellis-Bextor once again confirmed in February 2008 the track would not be released as a single. Rumours were soon put to rest, however, on 5 May 2008, a single release of "If I Can't Dance" surprisingly appeared on the iTunes Store without any prior announcement or confirmation, complete with new artwork and backed with the B-side "Can't Have It All". Days later, the single was removed from the store, and since, fans have wondered if the single was listed by Fascination, due to its removal just days later. This also meant the single failed to chart anywhere.