‘Danceteria Afterhours’ Lyrics & Meaning: Madonna & Charli xcx’s Collaboration Is Here – Listen!

You wanna talk about Madonna and Charli xcx?

The superstar duo’s highly anticipated collaboration “Danceteria Afterhours” has arrived, marking their first official musical collaboration.

The new track is a reworked version of “Danceteria,” which originally appeared on Madonna‘s No. 1 album Confessions II.

Listen to Madonna & Charli xcx’s “Danceteria Afterhours”

Madonna first began teasing a collaboration with Charli earlier this month before the pair officially announced “Danceteria Afterhours” on September 18.

The new version was produced by Madonna, Andrew Watt, Cirkut and Stuart Price, and has been described as a celebration of the early influences that helped shape both artists’ careers.

What Does Charli xcx Sing About on “Danceteria Afterhours”?

Charli uses her verse to tell her own version of the story, jumping forward from 2007 to 2015 and recalling the people and scene that helped shape her career.

She references linking up with late producer SOPHIE and A. G. Cook, flying to Los Angeles and entering the orbit of PC Music, the influential label and collective closely associated with her experimental pop sound.

The lyrics also reference PC Music’s Pop City events before Charli reflects on finding herself through songwriting and the music that eventually became central to her own parties and live shows.

It’s a fitting parallel to Madonna‘s verses, which look back at the people and clubs surrounding her breakthrough in New York City decades earlier. Rather than simply appearing on a remix, Charli gets to place her own musical coming-of-age story alongside Madonna‘s.

The mention of SOPHIE, who died in 2021, is especially significant given the late producer’s long history with Charli. SOPHIE worked extensively with her during that era and helped shape releases including “Vroom Vroom.”

After the song was released, Charli issued a heartfelt statement on her Instagram Story.

“Madonna is the one who paved the way for us all. she did it before we even dared to think it. to work with you on this song, to step into your world, your process, your detail: it was all just brilliant. thank you for everything < 33333”

The collaboration also follows Madonna and Charli spending time and throwing parties together during Paris Fashion Week earlier this year.

Charli previously opened up about her friendship with Madonna and revealed what they did together during their time in Paris.

@bbc6music
“She’s so interested in talking about the music she makes, and how and why. I found it very inspiring to hang out with her.” Charli xcx chats to Nick on 6 Music Breakfast about her “mini-break” with Madonna in Paris and how she’s influenced her as an artist. Listen to their full chat on @BBC Sounds #charlixcx #madonna
♬ original sound – BBC Radio 6 Music

“Danceteria Afterhours” arrives just days before Madonna takes the stage at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday (September 27).

She is set to open the show, marking her first performance at the VMAs in 23 years.

Madonna heads into the ceremony with 13 nominations, while Charli is also nominated, including in the Best Long-Form Video category alongside Madonna.

Listen to “Danceteria Afterhours” below!

Read the lyrics to “Danceteria Afterhours”

[Intro: Charli xcx & Madonna]
You wanna talk about Madonna and Charli?
Talk about, talk about, talk about
Talk about (Yeah), talk about, talk about
You got something you wanna talk about?

[Verse 1: Charli xcx & Madonna]
I get off the train, Hackney Wick
I’m sweet fifteen in a weird outfit
Got invited to perform at this party through Myspace
First time ever at a party in London
I’m kinda nervous, kinda scared
On a makeshift stage playing songs from my iPod
Met a band called Le Couteau Jaune
Yeah, I been doing this shit since 2007
Wait backstage, get into my car
Drive to the disco, have a drink at the bar
People, they might talk about us, yeah
I don’t care

[Pre-Chorus: Both, Madonna]
It’s not what I say, it’s not what I do
It’s how my body language talks to you
I just want to lose myself in the groove
Get over here

[Chorus: Madonna & Charli xcx]
Everybody get up and dance (Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah; Yeah, come on)
Everyone here is a work of art
Everybody get up and dance (Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah; Yeah, come on)
You wanna talk about Madonna and Charli?
Everybody get up and dance

[Post-Chorus: Madonna]
(Madonna and Charli, Madonna and Charli)
(Madonna and Charli, Madonna and Charli)
You wanna talk about Madonna and Charli?

[Verse 2: Madonna]
I get off the train, four, five, six
Walk to the club, don’t wait for shit
Meet this boy named Martin Burgoyne
He’s my best friend, he’s my boytoy
We see the line, it’s way too long
Cut to the front, there’s Haoui Montaug
Waves us in, No Entiendes
I’m not sure you’ll understand this

[Verse 3: Charli xcx]
Switch up to 2015
Linked up with A. G. and SOPHIE
Took a flight to L.A.
Where PC Music did Pop City
This new place has a lot of new things
Different DJs, flavoured cocaine
Found myself through the songs I wrote
And the songs I wrote are how we start the party

[Pre-Chorus: Both, Charli xcx]
I just want to lose myself in the groove
I just want to lose myself in the groove
I just want to lose myself in the groove
Get over here

[Chorus: Madonna & Charli xcx]
Everybody get up and dance
Everyone here is a work of art
Everybody get up and dance
You wanna talk about Madonna and Charli?
Everybody get up and dance

[Verse 4: Madonna & Charli xcx]
This is how we start the party
There’s Fab Five Freddy and Basquiat
Keith Haring and Kenny Scharf
Everyone came from Shafrazi
Sha-fra-zi to the beat
There’s Maripol and a guy named Fred
See these guys spinnin’ on their head
There’s Rock Steady Crew and Crazy Legs
Puerto Rican boys, they made me crazy (Yeah)
They made me crazy
Lower East Side, take a walk on the wild side

[Bridge: Madonna & Charli xcx]
Doo, doo-doo, doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo
Doo, doo-doo, doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo
Doo, doo-doo, doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo
Doo, doo-doo, doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo (You wanna talk about Madonna and Charli?)
Doo, doo-doo, doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo
Doo, doo-doo, doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo
Doo, doo-doo, doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo
Doo, doo-doo, doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo (Let’s take it to the East Side, baby, uh)

[Outro: Both, Charli xcx, Madonna]
Everybody get up and dance
Madonna and Charli
Madonna and Charli
Madonna and Charli
Everyone here is a work of art
Everyone here is a work of art
Everyone here is a work of art
Work of art, work of art
Work of art, work of art
Everyone here is a work of art
Everybody get up and dance