Let’s Go To The Movies!!

Have you ever wondered:  What movie is that song from? — or — What song is from that movie? 

Movies, music, and dance has been around since Charlie Chapman and the “silent” movies.  Yes, while there might not have been any sound, you could tell that Charlie had a song or rhythm to his walk and was dancing along to a tune in his head that we could not hear.

Remember Shirley Temple?  She sang and danced in the many movies. 

As ballroom dancers, we all are familiar with Gene Kelly, Ginger Rogers, and Fred Astaire.  However, dance is not just in the musical theatre genre.  Many songs were commissioned to make soundtracks and many of those songs became “hits” on the musical billboard charts.

You might think this article is about music, and you would be right, but it is also how music, movies, and dance all are intertwined.

If you list some modern movies that are about dancing in general and not just musicals, there is:  Dirty Dancing, Black Swan, Footloose, Take the Lead, Strictly Ballroom, Flashdance, Save the Last Dance, Chicago, Honey, Step Up, Saturday Night Fever, Shall We Dance, Dance with Me, Leap! (animated), Fame…the list goes on.  There are also some more risqué movies about dance, such as Burlesque, Magic Mike, Showgirls..again this list goes on.  While some of the movies I listed include ballroom specifically, these movies help bring all dance to the forefront.

The movie, The Greatest Showman, has helped bring a new upbeat sound to Paso Doble, of course not quite a social dance but, we no longer have to continue listening to the same old “song and dance” — as Aerosmith says.  How updated is your music playlist?

On January 20, the USA Dance Tallahassee Chapter themed their social party “Let’s Go To The Movies,” and opened the doors to members, non-members and collegiates.  The evening was filled with ballroom sounds and memories along with lights, cameras, and action.

We started our dance with the song from Annie: “Let’s Go to the Movies”.  This song, a Foxtrot, was played for to get everyone in the mood.  After that, came song after song, each one recognized and bringing smiles to the dancers’ faces.  The floor was full and spirits were high.  We even had fresh popcorn and movie-theatre-type candies for sharing.  

Here are some danceable songs we used.  They become popular because of the movie, and/or vice versa.  Keep in mind, some songs are variations of the original song.  The suggested style, is merely that if you feel different rhythms, that is fine too. 

(Pink Panther was on this list as well, but with the many versions of Pink Panther, a Foxtrot, a Tango, a Rumba, it was better to leave it off.)

There are so many, many more!  Do you have songs that you play at your monthly dances that have a movie theme to them?

Next time you go to the movies, while your watching, listen to the background music too, see if you want to get on your feet and dance to the rhythm?