The Magnetic Pull: A Cautionary Tale of Irresistible Attraction
To many, the name David Essex immediately brings to mind the glamorous, slightly rebellious years of the early to mid-1970s: the iconic film role in Stardust, the swagger of “Rock On,” and the singalong simplicity of his number one hits. Yet, to truly appreciate the breadth and longevity of his career, one must look beyond the imperial phase into his later, self-penned work, where his enduring ability to tap into raw, universal human emotion still burned brightly. The song “Dangerous” is a prime example of this later craftsmanship, a track that captures a mature perspective on the kind of intense, reckless passion that fuelled his earlier image.
While Dangerous is a favourite deep cut among his loyal fanbase, and features prominently in later live albums like 2009’s The Secret Tour (Live), it is not associated with a major charting run as a standalone single in the UK. The track was written by David Essex himself and appears on his 2012 album, Wonderful, and was later compiled on the 2013 collection, Reflections, demonstrating its lasting presence in his repertoire long after the peak of his commercial charting success. This places the song not at the beginning of a youth movement, but rather as a reflective piece from an established artist, examining the timeless themes of attraction and risk that defined his persona from the start. It is a song that speaks to a mature audience who understands that the thrills of life don’t disappear with age; they simply become more complicated and perhaps, more deeply felt.
The true heart of “Dangerous” lies in its intense, focused lyrical theme. It is a taut, almost cinematic portrayal of an overwhelming, irresistible attraction to someone the singer knows he should avoid. The meaning is steeped in the vocabulary of hazard and high stakes—the relationship is likened to a risk, a perilous journey, or an imminent crash. This is not the starry-eyed infatuation of a teenager; this is the cautionary passion of an adult fully aware of the potential for destruction. The power dynamic is clear: the person being sung to is utterly magnetic, possessing a seductive power that overrides reason, logic, and self-preservation.
The style of the track, even in its recorded versions, suggests a darker, more dramatic shift, less pop-rock and more soulful, blues-tinged territory, allowing Essex‘s distinct, rich vocal delivery to convey the internal struggle. He is wrestling with the exhilarating yet terrifying sensation of losing control. He sings, knowing that plunging into this affair is “Dangerous,” yet completely unable to pull back. For older listeners, this narrative resonates deeply, moving beyond mere nostalgia for a catchy tune into a reflection on those moments in life—personal or professional—when one knowingly chooses the thrilling, high-risk path over the sensible, safe one.
It’s a magnificent piece of self-reflection from an artist whose entire career has been built on a carefully managed image of the alluring outsider. From his character Jim Maclaine on the silver screen to the brooding singer-songwriter on stage, David Essex always embodied a certain volatile charm. “Dangerous” serves as the final, honest confession: the danger wasn’t just in the public image; it was always in the raw, magnetic core of his emotional life. The song is a thrilling, late-career reminder that the pull of the heart against the dictates of the head remains the most potent form of drama, proving that even decades into a career, an artist can still write a song that makes the listener feel the exhilarating speed of a beating heart on the brink of collapse. It’s a true gem that deserves its place in the personal soundtrack of any devoted fan.