Sophie Ellis-Bextor's Murder on the Dancefloor set for Top 40 return thanks to Saltburn

Sophie's 2001 hit soundtracks a *very* memorable scene in the Emerald Fennell-directed Saltburn, now streaming on Amazon Prime Video

Sophie Ellis-Bextor Murder on the Dancefloor

Sophie Ellis-Bextor's Murder on the Dancefloor is set for a spectacular return to the Top 40 this week, following its inclusion in Emerald Fennell's latest movie Saltburn.

The second single lifted from Sophie's debut solo album Read My Lips, Murder on the Dancefloor peaked at Number 2 upon release in 2001 and helped solidify Sophie's pop star status in her home county, becoming her most enduring hit.

Now, 22 years after its last Top 40 appearance, the track eyes a rather unexpected - but very welcome - return to the Official Singles Chart; boasting a position of Number 27 midweek and expected to climb higher still by Friday.

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Murder on the Dancefloor's resurgence comes as the Saltburn film is released on streaming platform Amazon Prime Video. The psychological black comedy, starring Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi and Rosamund Pike, includes a pivotal final scene soundtracked by Sophie's definitive 2001 disco banger.

If you're yet to see the film, it follows the exploits of Oxford student (Keoghan) as he becomes obsessed with classmate Felix (Elordi) and is invited to spend the summer at his ancestral home, the titular estate from where the film gets its name.

As for the closing scene, we won't spoil it for you, let's just say it's very...naked. And, given the context of the film, Murder on the Dancefloor's inclusion is very apt.

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Taking to X (formerly Twitter) to thank fans for their support, Sophie said: "Wow.. thank you for all the Murder love. Happy new year! Xx"

Speaking to People about the very memorable Saltburn scene recently, Sophie explained she 'wasn't quite ready for the visual.'

"Seeing it written down as a premise is different," she said. "I mean, Barry really went for it. And it’s, like, the whole song.

"I mean, he’s never going to be able to hear that in the same way again!"

You can say that again, queen.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor Murder on the Dancefloor single artwork

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Murder on the Dancefloor was last in the Top 40 in March 2002, having peaked at Number 2 in December 2001, when it missed out on the Number 1 spot to Daniel Bedingfield's debut single Gotta Get Thru This. The single spent a total of six weeks inside the Top 10, and 13 inside the Top 40.

The track was written by Sophie alongside Gregg Alexander, and was produced by Alexander and Matt Rowe (known for his work with the Spice Girls). It's equally memorable music video (think Strictly Come Dancing but, you know, murderous) was directed by Sophie Muller, who has since worked with Gwen Stefani, Selena Gomez and more.

Its parent album, Read My Lips, also enjoyed a Number 2 peak in the UK. Sophie has since released six further studio albums, reaching Number 8 on the Official Albums Chart in 2023 with Hana.

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Fans are loving the song's resurgence, too. On X, one wrote: "You've been listening to Murder On The Dancefloor ever since Saltburn. l've been listening to Sophie Ellis-Bextor for 20+ years. We are not the same."

Another said: "Wait ...You mean to tell me there are people who didn't know Murder on the Dancefloor before Saltburn?"